Baunilhas do Brasil: alternativas de uso, propagação e popularização do conhecimento destas espécies

Abstract

Vanilla is a world-renowned flavor, extracted from the fruits of species of the Vanilla genus that belong to the Orchidaceae family. The objective of this work was to carry out an approach to the use and propagation of vanillas that occur in Brazil and that have aromatic and commercial potential. For this, three research axes were determined: a netnographic study, a review study on cultivation and a practical cultivation and propagation experiment. For the netnographic study, a WhatsApp group called “Escola da Vanilla” was followed for six months, for observation and data collection. The search for scientific articles was carried out in four databases from 2000 to 2021 and after analyzing the articles, some analysis categories were created and the most representative were: in vitro germination, in vitro development and micropropagation. Finally, a cutting experiment was carried out with the Vanilla pompona species, which occurs naturally in Brazil. Branches of this species were collected in a forest area in the municipality of Porto Nacional - TO. The branches were divided into cuttings and subjected to different substrate compositions (Cerrado soil and commercial substrate Ouro Negro) and different doses of the auxin indolylbutyric acid (IBA). Participants reported that there is a lack of more dissemination and information about the species that occur in the country, so that Brazil has the potential for vanilla production. The group proved to be an important means of interaction for people from different states in Brazil, with different backgrounds, to share their experiences/difficulties and disseminate the results of their experiments, mainly with Brazilian species. The literature review showed that most studies evaluated the effects of growth regulators and developed protocols for in vitro multiplication and development, mainly of the Vanilla planifolia species, which demonstrates the lack of broader studies involving other aspects related to the in vitro cultivation of this species. The results of the experiment showed that the. It can be seen at the end of this work that Brazilian vanillas have received increasing attention from researchers and consumers who are interested in both acquiring the product ready for consumption and cultivating it. With greater dissemination of the potential of the species that occur in Brazil, as well as various studies that address physiological, ecological, sustainability and environmental and social aspects, these species could be an economic alternative for producers and enthusiasts, and will popularize access to this spice so appreciated by the world population.