Effect of active carbonate, exchangeable calcium, and stoniness of soil on Tuber melanosporum carpophore production

Abstract In the present study, the active carbonate soil concentration explained 43% of the variance in Tuber melanosporum production. This carbonate is also associated with other soil variables, such as pH, exchangeable Ca2+ content, and stoniness abundance, all of which affect the successful productivity of T. melanosporum carpophores. Moreover, active carbonate and exchangeable Ca2+ participate in the maintenance of the soil's structure and in fungus nutrition. Statistical analysis shows that active carbonate accounted for 42% of the variance in exchangeable Ca2+ concentration, and the exchangeable Ca2+ abundance explained 20% of the variance in carpophore production. In addition, a significant correlation was found between carbonate concentration and surface stoniness. Finally, abundance of surface stoniness explained 24% of the variance in T. melanosporum carpophore production. We suggest that studies should be conducted on the effects of amendments in truffle culture.