New Orchard Soil Prep

[David LeRouxParticipant]

Hello NATGA,

We are planning our first 1 acre truffle orchard in Virginia 7a. We’re in the process of learning how to best prepare the plot. The spot we’ve identified currently hosts 4 year old shrub pine and tulip poplar. We plan to remove the trees, but we have questions about the existing roots systems.

1. How clean of residual roots should the plot be?
2. Should we remove all roots from every tree that every existed in the 1 acre plot?
3. Can we leave deep roots, and remove the surface roots?
4. Does all the soil need either to be screened or tilled (or both)? If so, the what depth?

Thank you for your advice and assistance.

David LeRoux & Family

[Fabrice CaporalKeymaster]

Poplar and pine are both ectomycorrhizal species (see Type of Mycorrhisal Plants), so your soil will be naturally be rich in such fungus. You want to take actions to reduce the competitive pressure in favor of the truffle. My understanding is that in this situation you should try to remove as much as possible the existing roots, treat with lime to adjust your pH (if necessary) and let it rest for a while. Soil work should be to break any existing compaction pan fluff it up as much as you can without destroying the soil structure (no roto tilling).

I hope this helps. Good luck.

[Nyall CookParticipant]

I am in the process of prepping about two acres as well (New Jersey). Why do you suggest no roto tilling? How would one remove exiting roots without destroying soil structure?

thank you,

 

[Fabrice CaporalKeymaster]

To have a soft soil you need a well structured soil and rototilling pulverized the soil structure. The pulverized soil may appear soft at first but at first rain it will reaggregate into a solid uniform hard pan with very little interstitial space for micro-ecology, aire and water. Organic mater and carful care of your soil structure are your best friends for a soft soil. I recommend doing a bit of web search about the importance of soil structure and the difference between soil structure and soil texture.

Hope this helps.

[Eugenio CastanedaParticipant]

Hello everyone,

I am researching the feasibility of black truffle cultivation in Mexico, where many potentially suitable sites have a history of oak or pine vegetation.

For growers who established orchards on land that previously hosted ectomycorrhizal trees:

How long did you wait before planting?
Did you use cover crops or any other strategy to reduce competition?
In hindsight, how important was previous land use to the success of your orchard?
Thank you for sharing your experience.

[Fabrice CaporalKeymaster]

I have only experienced with one orchard so take my input with caution.

From my understanding it is very important to consider prior vegetation.  Having an establishe rich ectomycorrhizal ecosystem will increase your risks of your tree contamination with other competing ectomycorrhizal fungies. In our orchard despite being fallow for 10 years and previously being a pear orchard, we are now seeing big schleroderma and other echtomycorrhizal fungies blums.

It is believed that if you have to significantly change the pH of your soil that ot might help controlling the native populations of contaminants…

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