Potential Expansion of Root Chicory Cultivation Areas in Chile
Root chicory (<i>Cichorium intybus</i> var. <i>sativum</i>) is a major source of inulin, a fiber with many dietary and medicinal uses. Chile is the only country outside Europe that produces inulin and is the third largest exporter worldwide. Root chicory cultivation has incre...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1675 |
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| author | Donna Cortez Manuel Paneque Celián Román-Figueroa |
| author_facet | Donna Cortez Manuel Paneque Celián Román-Figueroa |
| author_sort | Donna Cortez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Root chicory (<i>Cichorium intybus</i> var. <i>sativum</i>) is a major source of inulin, a fiber with many dietary and medicinal uses. Chile is the only country outside Europe that produces inulin and is the third largest exporter worldwide. Root chicory cultivation has increased by 242% in Chile since 2006, highlighting its potential for expansion into new territories. In this study, land suitability (without restriction, mild restriction, moderate restriction, and unsuitable) for root chicory cultivation and its potential productivity were determined using Geographic Information System (GIS) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The regions where root chicory is currently produced (between the Maule and La Araucanía regions) showed the best suitability, as did the Valparaíso and O’Higgins regions. The potential maximum productivity ranged from 20 to 27 t DW ha<sup>−1</sup>, mainly concentrated in the Los Lagos region, despite the absence of land without restriction. This could be attributed to the high water availability in this region, which is consistent with the expected displacement of crop areas due to climate change. Field studies in the Los Lagos region are recommended to evaluate the feasibility of expanding root chicory cultivation in these areas. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d9796be5923b4b62a395d13fa0647c8a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-d9796be5923b4b62a395d13fa0647c8a2025-08-20T02:45:42ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-07-01157167510.3390/agronomy15071675Potential Expansion of Root Chicory Cultivation Areas in ChileDonna Cortez0Manuel Paneque1Celián Román-Figueroa2Bionostra Chile Research Foundation, San Miguel, Santiago 8920033, ChileFacultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Chile, La Pintana, Santiago 8820808, ChileBionostra Chile Research Foundation, San Miguel, Santiago 8920033, ChileRoot chicory (<i>Cichorium intybus</i> var. <i>sativum</i>) is a major source of inulin, a fiber with many dietary and medicinal uses. Chile is the only country outside Europe that produces inulin and is the third largest exporter worldwide. Root chicory cultivation has increased by 242% in Chile since 2006, highlighting its potential for expansion into new territories. In this study, land suitability (without restriction, mild restriction, moderate restriction, and unsuitable) for root chicory cultivation and its potential productivity were determined using Geographic Information System (GIS) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The regions where root chicory is currently produced (between the Maule and La Araucanía regions) showed the best suitability, as did the Valparaíso and O’Higgins regions. The potential maximum productivity ranged from 20 to 27 t DW ha<sup>−1</sup>, mainly concentrated in the Los Lagos region, despite the absence of land without restriction. This could be attributed to the high water availability in this region, which is consistent with the expected displacement of crop areas due to climate change. Field studies in the Los Lagos region are recommended to evaluate the feasibility of expanding root chicory cultivation in these areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1675industrial cropsMediterranean climateclimate analysisregional suitability |
| spellingShingle | Donna Cortez Manuel Paneque Celián Román-Figueroa Potential Expansion of Root Chicory Cultivation Areas in Chile Agronomy industrial crops Mediterranean climate climate analysis regional suitability |
| title | Potential Expansion of Root Chicory Cultivation Areas in Chile |
| title_full | Potential Expansion of Root Chicory Cultivation Areas in Chile |
| title_fullStr | Potential Expansion of Root Chicory Cultivation Areas in Chile |
| title_full_unstemmed | Potential Expansion of Root Chicory Cultivation Areas in Chile |
| title_short | Potential Expansion of Root Chicory Cultivation Areas in Chile |
| title_sort | potential expansion of root chicory cultivation areas in chile |
| topic | industrial crops Mediterranean climate climate analysis regional suitability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1675 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT donnacortez potentialexpansionofrootchicorycultivationareasinchile AT manuelpaneque potentialexpansionofrootchicorycultivationareasinchile AT celianromanfigueroa potentialexpansionofrootchicorycultivationareasinchile |