Use and conservation of Vanilla planifolia J. in the Totonacapan Region, México

The use and conservation of Vanilla planifolia Jack. in Mexico requires comprehensive and detailed analysis of its genetic variation and of the issues that determine it. For this reason, we studied the variation in phytochemical contents that define vanilla aroma quality by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) to identify genetic variation at the infraspecific level among 14 microsatellite loci and to study assessment criteria which determine the attitude of stakeholders regarding use and conservation of vanilla germplasm in the Totonacapan region, Mexico. To this end we used the multi-attribute analysis method, AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process). The results showed the existence of six phytochemical groups (chemotypes) within V. planifolia germplasm, each with specific aromatic characteristics. The 14 loci analyzed were polymorphic for vanilla chemotypes with variable sizes, and genetic clustering of accessions coincided with phytochemical grouping (chemotypes). It was noted that the process of economic and cultural valuation of users has caused aromatic variation in vanilla germplasm, and this variation has been conserved at the regional level. Thus, the data indicate that in the probable center of origin of vanilla there is genetic and phytochemical variation, knowledge of which is fundamental to the design of breeding programs to optimize the benefits of vanilla production for stakeholders and to contribute to the conservation of the primary gene pool of Vanilla planifolia.