TRUFFLE CULTIVATION WITH HOST TREES

Truffle’s production cannot be done without the symbiosis between the fungus and a host tree. The black truffle of Périgord Tuber melanosporum generally has oaks Quercus pubescens, Quercus ilex as host trees. Many tree species can also produce Tuber melanosporum: Quercus robur, Quercus coccifera, Corylus avellana, Carpinus betulus, Pinus sp., Cedrus atlantica, Tilia platyphyllos, even some species of Cistus (albidu, incanus). These different host trees can also produce other species of truffles: Tuber aesticum/uncinatum, Tuber mesentericum, Tuber brumale, Tuber excavatum, Tuber rufum, Tuber borchii, and fungus like Boletus sp. Tricholoma sp., Russala sp. One of the limiting factors in the cultivation of truffles is the contamination of host trees by undesirable mycorrhizal species. The symbiosis between the tree and the truffle results in the presence of symbiotic organs called mycorrhizae on the root system. Mycorrhizae are places of nutritional exchange between the tree and the fungus. They make it possible to perpetuate the fungus on the host tree. Truffle cultivation is dependent on the production of mycorrhizal plants by the desired species. in France, Spain, Italy but also in Australia, New Zealand North Africa (Morocco) and South Africa, and different other countries, nurserymen are specialized in the making of mycorrhizal trees to producing truffles. The main species of cultivated truffles are: Tuber aesticum/uncinatum, Tuber mesentericum, Tuber borchii. Since ۲۰۲۰, we know that it is possible to cultivate the precious Italian white truffle, Tuber magnatum, through the planting of mycorrhizal trees like Quercus pubescens. The principal requirements for successful truffle production are :۱) using well mycorrhized plants, ۲) suitable soil, ۳) Mediterranean or Atlantic climate, ۴) Cultivation practices designed to maintain an equilibrium which favors the fructification of a pioneering type of fungus like Tuber melanosporum. The main truffle cultivation techniques are divided into soil maintenance, water management (watering), tree pruning, and also the supply of spores to strengthen the truffle potential. The purpose of the tillage (soil maintenance) is to aerate it and facilitate the growth of truffles. With climate change, irrigation of truffle plantations becomes essential. Truffle growers provide ۲۰ mm of water every ۱۰ days on average. The trees are pruned to maintain an open space required by Tuber melanosporum. In conclusion, truffle cultivation consists to manage balance between main different factors: ۱) soil, ۲) water and climate, ۳) growth of the tree and mycorrhizas propagation.

Keywords:

Host trees , Tuber melanosporum , Tuber aestivum/uncinatum , mycorrhizae , tilling , irrigation , pruning.