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Garcia-Barreda, SergiAuthor

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March 23, 2026
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Article

Mapping suitability for Tuber melanosporum growing in Patagonia, Argentina-an opportunity for agriculture diversification

Publicated to: Forest Systems. 34 (3): 21006- - 2025-01-01 34(3), DOI: 10.5424/fs/2025343-21006

Authors:

Salgado-Salomon, Maria Eugenia; Pildain, Maria Belen; Mohr-Bell, Diego; Garcia-Barreda, Sergi; Barroetavena, Carolina
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Affiliations

Consejo Nacl Invest Cient & Tecn CONICET, RA-1425 Buenos Aires, Argentina - Author
Ctr Invest & Tecnol Agroalimentaria Aragon CITA, Zaragoza 50071, Spain - Author
Esquel, Ctr Invest & Extens Forestal Andino Patagon CIEFAP, RA-9200 Chubut, Argentina - Author
Univ Nacl Patagonia San Juan Bosco UNPSJB, RA-9200 Esquel, Chubut, Argentina - Author
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Abstract

Aim of the study: The wide variety of climates, with significant gradients and abundance of microclimatic patches, and the vast diversity and availability of soils in Patagonia, suggests that there are extensive areas suitable for the cultivation of P & eacute;rigord truffles (Tuber melanosporum Vittad.). The promotion of truffle cultivation as a profitable, off-season option for marginal and idle lands requires the identification and quantification of suitable areas on a regional scale. The objective of this study was to generate a regional map of areas suitable for the cultivation of T. melanosporum in Patagonia and a detailed map for the province of Chubut, using GIS data on physical and chemical soil characteristics, climatic variables and vegetation cover. Area of study: The Argentinian Patagonia region (1,060,631 km2). Material and methods: Two truffle suitability maps that include edaphic, climatic and vegetation cover requirements, together with irrigation availability, were developed: a Patagonia regional map (scale 1:10,000,000), and a Chubut province detailed map (scale 1:40,000). Both were built and analysed with Google Earth Engine (GEE) and validated with field ground truth points. Main results: The suitable truffle growing area considering soil, climate and surface water availability is 2,680,000 ha for Patagonia region and 489,877 ha for Chubut province. The Chubut province map delimited suitability patches more accurately than the regional map, reducing the surface mapped as suitable while confirming the high potential for T. melanosporum cultivation of the valleys associated with the Mayo, Senguer and Chubut rivers. Research highlights: The regional map indicates that T. melanosporum cultivation is feasible in 3% of Patagonia surface, considered together patches classified as suitable and suitable with surface-water irrigation. This regional model clearly identified major limiting factors in different parts of the region, such as temperatures in the northernmost and southernmost parts of Patagonia, the presence of ectomycorrhizal forests along the Andes Mountain range, and the critical role of water resource availability. The map of Chubut province showed that the model was useful not only for regional scale planning but also for more detailed purposes such as farmer's decision making, while taking into account the significant small-scale variability of Patagonian topography and soils. These maps are pioneering for Argentina, constituting a powerful decision-making tool for territorial planning, aimed to diversify agricultural production in Patagonia by incorporating this novel and profitable crop in vast areas.
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Keywords

ChubutChubut province,cultivation,gis,mycoforestry,p & eacuteProducción potencialRigord truffle,suitability mapTuber melanosporum

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Forest Systems, and although the journal is classified in the quartile Q3 (Agencia WoS (JCR)), its regional focus and specialization in Forestry, give it significant recognition in a specific niche of scientific knowledge at an international level.

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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-12:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 1 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Additionally, the work has been submitted to a journal classified as Diamond in relation to this type of editorial policy.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: http://hdl.handle.net/10532/8107
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Argentina.

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Awards linked to the item

CFI-Chubut (Consejo Federal de Inversiones) "Mapa de zonificacion potencial para el cultivo de trufa negra (Tuber melanosporum) en 3 cuencas productivas de la provincia de Chubut" 19355 03 01COFECyT- PBIO-R2016 "Hongos comestibles, nuevos recursos productivos para la region patagonica" EX-2017-33028483-APN-DDYME#MCTUE- Horizon 2020 "Innovation in truffle cultivation, preservation, processing and wild truffle resources management" 101007623
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