The effect of different nutrient media on in vitro shoot and root proliferation of Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews

Murashige and Skoog (MS), Knudson C (KC) and Vacin and Went (VW) nutrient media are among the most widely used for micropropagation of orchid species. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of these growth media on in vitro shoot and root proliferation of Vanilla planifolia by using nodal segment as explants. Three different media; Murashige and Skoog (MS), Knudson C (KC) and Vacin and Went (VW) were supplemented with 0.5 mg/L of α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 1.0 mg/L of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) respectively to enhance the plant growth. The findings showed that the explants developed in MS medium yield the highest increase in length of shoot and root, with the average of 2.37 ± 0.76 cm and 2.04 ± 0.95 cm respectively. Apart from that, the plantlets in MS medium have well-formed leaves and extended roots. On the other hand, plantlets in both KC and VW media showed lower average of shoot and root length as compared to those cultured on MS medium. The length of shoot and root initiated from the nodal segments of V. planifolia showed significant difference when cultured in different types of nutrient media.       Key words: Vanilla planifolia, micropropagation, regeneration, in vitro; tissue culture.