Environmental factors affecting the presence of Edible Zarde-Kija mushroom (Cantharellus alborufescens) in plain forest of Noor (Mazandaran)

Zarde-Kija mushroom(Cantharellus alborufescens) is one of the edible mushrooms belong to the Cantharellaceae family. It is widely distributed in the northern forests of Iran and is desirable for local residents in these areas. Despite the economic importance of this genus, litthe is known about their habitat requirements. This study was conducted to identify the environmental factors affecting the distribution of this mushroom in a plain forest of Noor city (Mazandaran province, northern Iran) with 120 ha area. For this purpose, 20 pair plots (20 m × 20 m) with at least 100 m distance were established (20 plots with Cantharellus and 20 non-Cantarellus plots). To analyze the species-environment relationship (soil characteristics), three groups of plant species were identified by the TWINSPAN method. The results showed this mushroom presents in oak-hornbeam stands with following conditions: clay-loam soils, pH value 5.7-7.2, soil C content 2.2-3.7%, total N 0.16-0.27%, C:N ratio 10.8-18.9, water content 29.4-46.2% and litter thickness 4.8-19 mm. In this regard, soil C content, C/N ratio, amount of sand and clay in plots with Cantharellus was 36, 71, 30 and 18 percent greater than those in plots without Cantharellus. Also, Nitrogen concentration (N), ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3–), litter thickness and amount of silt in non-Cantarellus plots were respectively 30, 20, 19, 48 and 28 percent lesser than those in plots containing Cantharellus. Overall, our findings showed that C content, C:N ratio, sand (%) and clay (%) were the most important factors influencing the presence of C. alborufescens.