We’re pleased to announce that dozens of growers have filled out the survey and the database is now growing. We are well on our way to answering a series of pressing questions for growers. Based upon the growers feedback we are launching a revised version that will be more user friendly. In addition we will be introducing the database website that will be accessible to all survey participants.
The objective of my presentation is to illustrate several researches on truffle life cycle and truffle cultivation developed in France. I will briefly present our knowledge on the sexual reproduction of the black truffle and then I will highlight the main results of the national research program CulturTruf. In this project we have experimented with watering truffle beds by monitoring the soil water potential (SWP) and have shown that this improves truffle production. I will show how we have developed an innovation (pF Tracer) allowing truffle growers to equip themselves with probes to follow the pF. Finally, I will present our latest remarkable results on the culture of the white truffle Tuber magnatum.
This project addresses a challenge in the truffle industry, specifically the detection and monitoring of truffle fungi during the many-year period of orchard establishment before truffles can be expected to start producing. The successful colonization of the host tree by a commercial truffle fungus and the retention and spread of that fungus on the roots are critical for successful orchard establishment, yet growers have limited tools to monitor and confirm this process. We adapted and developed reliable DNA extraction methods for orchard soil, DNA fingerprinting methods for the major commercial truffle species, and field sampling procedures for the detection and identification of truffle fungi in orchard soil.
By establishing black truffle orchards, we are introducing a new fungus to our soils and inevitably there will be shifts in the community of soil organisms in the rhizosphere activities belowground, not just Tuber melanosporum. Sometimes our first awareness comes with the appearance of fruitbodies of other fungi such as Tuber brumale, a winter truffle that can be particularly problematic. In this webinar I would like to present some history and approaches to the questions regarding management of T. brumale and other fungi such as Scleroderma sp. and Pisolithus sp. and T. lyonii often co-existing in T. melanosporum habitat.
These results demonstrate the feasibility of T. magnatum cultivation worldwide by planting mycorrhized plants. The cultivation of T. magnatum could therefore become a real opportunity for farmers and could respond to the high demand of this high-priced food.
Recordings of the 2020 Annual meeting that was held virtually because of COVID-19 pandemic.
Alyce Chapman – Let’s Improve Your Truffle Farm’s Tax Situation
Marcos Morcillo – The role of Soil Bacteria and a Case Study of Spanish Wells and Irrigation
Brian Malone – Truffle Cultivation
Dr. Shannon Berch – Update on the Truffle Cultivation Database Project and associated Survey
NATGA Business Meeting
The burgeoning truffle industry in North America has the unique opportunity to establish standards that ensure the highest levels of product quality and measures to ensure industrial integrity. To address industry and product integrity we can take simple actions at different points in the cultivation process. The industry can take steps to prevent contaminant truffle species from entering the market. These steps include setting industry seedling standards and a comprehensive system of truffle grading.
i F o r e s t: Biogeosciences and Forestry, Research Article: True truffles in the genus Tuber are the most valuable ectomycorrhizal fungi and their cultivation has become widespread around the world. Competition with other ectomycorrhizal fungi and especially with undesired Tuber species
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[Public] A team of researchers are conducting a survey of the North American Truffle Industry.
NATGA sees this project as a way to assess the size of our industry, when and where we are productive, growing conditions that work (or don’t work).
We need this data to drive research priorities and funding; and eventually marketing strategies for the industry. In many ways, it is also the beginning of an economic impact study. We need this information before we engage government or private entities for research and marketing funding and assistance.
