Forest Plantation Systems Increase Vanilla pompona subsp. g randiflora Yield in a Conservation Landscape of Alto Mayo,Peru

Vanilla is a high-value crop whose persistence in Amazonian landscapes is increasingly threatened by human activities, yet limited information exists on how cultivation systems affect the yield of Vanilla pompona subsp. grandiflora, particularly in conservation landscapes. We evaluated whether forest plantation systems enhance the yield of V. pompona subsp. grandiflora compared to secondary forest and shade-net systems within a private conservation area in Alto Mayo, Peru, and assessed the relationship between soil properties and yield-related traits. Three cultivation systems were evaluated: forest plantation, secondary forest, and shade-net systems. Variables associated with yield constraints (unfertilized flowers, unharvested capsules, and diseased capsules) and yield performance (fertilized flowers, harvested capsules, capsule weight and length) were recorded. Soil physicochemical properties were analyzed. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on soil variables, and PC1 was used to assess correlations with yield-related traits. Significant differences were observed among cultivation systems. Forest plantations recorded the highest number of fertilized flowers and harvested capsules, as well as the greatest yield per plant and total yield. Shade-net system produced the longest capsules per plant, whereas the secondary forest system yielded heavier capsules and greater capsule length. Soil properties were positively associated with fertilized flowers, harvested capsules, and total weight. Vanilla pompona subsp. grandiflora yield varied among cultivation systems. Forest plantation provided the most favorable conditions for crop performance, primarily by increasing capsules number per plant, while secondary forest and shade-net systems enhanced individual capsule size. Forest plantation systems may represent a promising agroforestry strategy within conservation landscapes, as they were associated with higher yield and favorable soil conditions while maintaining tree cover. These findings suggest compatibility with sustainable land use and biodiversity conservation in the Peruvian Amazon; however, given study limitations, results should be interpreted with caution.