BLACK TRUFFLE CULTIVATION AND COMPETING FUNGI - Inra

Proceedings of the 7 th International Conference on Mushroom Biology and Mushroom Products (ICMBMP7) 2011
anywhere in the truffle plantation, particularly according to the “brûlé”. These species are those
of “old roots”, located generally closer to the trunk of the tree, under the organic litter.
In old truffle plantations, according to the density of closure of the canopy, we observed
thermophilic and limestone fungi usually found in Q. pubescens forest on calcareous soil. They
are species which are very difficult to eliminate from renovated old plantations in order to
produce again Tuber melanosporum. To succeed in renovating old plantations, it’s necessary to
open or clear and thin them, creating a variety of ecological niches. A good example exists with
an old plantation which is producing again T. melanosporum at Laburgade (Lot district) [11].
These mycological surveys confirmed that each species or group of species have their
specific ecological requirements corresponding with necessary conditions for the black truffle in
the dynamic of its environment [12]. These groups or species have to be located at a particular
place in the fungal succession (fungal train) observed with the environment change. Tuber
melanosporum has its good place or stage as well as many other species.
Table 1 of main fungi which are not Tuber and living in the truffle environment.
Fungi quite negative
Boletus luridus Mycorrhizal fungus in open environment with grass. There is no truffle under trees
producing this mushroom.
Russula lepida Mycorrhizal fungus in closed environment, mainly in old truffle plantation. Russula
lepida never lives with Tuber melanosporum under the same tree.
Russula delica Mycorrhizal fungus in open environment. It creates « brûlés » similar with those of
Tuber melanosporum
.
Russula maculata Mycorrhizal fungus in old truffle plantation and on the edge of woodland
Amanita strobililiformis
Amanitopsis
lividopallescens
Hebeloma sinapizans
Hebeloma edurum
Section:
Mycorrhizal mushrooms
.
Mycorrhizal fungi living in open limestone environment. When they are colonizing
« brûlés » producing T. melanosporum, truffle production disappears.
Mycorrhizal fungi living mainly in old truffle plantation or limestone oak plantations.
They persist in the soil when the forest is cleared. It was observed outside the “brûlé”,
doing a circle 0.50 to 0.80 m from the limit of the “brûlé”.
Armillaria mellea Dangerous parasite of the trees. It destroys truffle trees, mainly hazel.
It’s highly risky to plant truffle trees where this mushrooms is seen.
Fungi quite neutral
Incocybe jurana Mycorrhizal fungus quite frequent in truffle plantation. It is named « le truffier » in
Provence where people eat it. Present on the edge of the producing « brûlé », it
appears harmless for the truffle.
Scleroderma verrucosum Myccorhizal fungus frequent on the outer fringe of the brûlé. It does not seem
to interfere with Tuber melanosporum. It can coexist and fruit inside the brûlé.
Tricholoma scalpturatum
Tricholoma terreum
Mycorrhizal fungi living in old truffle plantation. It follows the decline of the truffle
production. It happens when there is an ecological disorder.
Helvella crispa Non Mycorrhizal fungus frequent in truffle plantation when autumn is wet and hot.
Clavaria aurea
Morchella esculenta
(and other morchella.)
Non Mycorrhizal fungus living in limestone oak groves and rare in truffle plantation.
Non Mycorrhizal fungus (?) rare in truffle plantation
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