Phenology and environmental variables associated to the fruiting of wild edible mushrooms from Andean-Patagonia forests in Argentina

Abstract

We assessed the environmental variables associated with fructification, phenology, abundance, frequencyand relative productivity of lignicolous and terrestrial wild edible fungi from Nothofagus forests in the Andean-Patagonia region of Argentina. The study was carried out during autumn 2010, 2011 and 2012. The mycorrhizalspecies Cortinarius magellanicus and C. xiphidipus were associated with a deep litter layer, whereas the saprophyticLycoperdon sp. showed lower litter depth values. All the terrestrial species developed under high canopy cover (above75%). Lignicolous species such as Clitocybula dusenii and Aleurodiscus vitellinus were more frequently observedin open places, whereas Fistulina. antarctica, F. endoxantha and Grifola gargal seem to prefer high canopy cover.Fruiting of F. antarctica was associated with low wood degradation stage, vs. high wood degradation stage in the caseof C. dusenii. F. antarctica, Ramaria patagonica, C. magellanicus and A. vitellinus were found to have longer fruitingperiods, from mid-March to mid-April. The most productive species in terms of fresh weight were R. patagonica andF. antarctica. The information provided here is critical to establish guidelines for harvesting these species based ontheir availability, ensuring their sustainable use.