Conservation and sustainable use of Vanilla crop wild relatives in Colombia

This chapter reviews research into vanilla Crop wild relatives (CWR), and identifies priorities for research, and actions necessary for conservation and sustainable use for the valuable genetic resources in Colombia. Given the importance of the microbiome for plant health, any long-term ex situ CWR conservation strategy for Vanilla genetic resources must also contemplate the simultaneous conservation of microbial symbionts. Continued exploration of Vanilla diversity in the country is necessary, and will likely result in further species being discovered. Comprehensive research program must include continued genomic, metabolomic, ecological and agronomical study of native Vanilla species, thereby informing effective conservation strategies, in addition to facilitating efficient use of genetic diversity in crop improvement programs. The ecology of Vanilla species in the wild is still underexplored, yet knowledge of ecological and physiological processes and traits in wild populations is of great value for the development of effective strategies for conservation and sustainable use.