Truffle cultivation is not like that of any other crop

More than any other farming enterprise, Truffle cultivation is an exercise in Applied Ecology, but also one that is made more difficult by the need to closely manage soil ecology – something many other farmers may seldom think about. For this reason, it is important to bear in mind that we are not simply ‘Growing’ truffles – as we might think of growing other crops. We are cultivating a symbiosis between two particular species (in fact there are other species involved as well) and it is important to remember that these relationships exist only because – in their native environment – they need to.

To use another symbiosis for comparison: Lichens are a partnership between a fungus and photosynthetic bacterium that exist in nutrient poor conditions alternating rapidly and frequently between wet and dry. Should conditions remain dry too long, this favors the fungus and the symbiosis breaks down. Likewise, if conditions remain wet, the bacterium can grow without the fungus and it abandons the relationship.

The same can be seen in plants with mycorrhizal fungi. Although the relationship may persist to some extent, nutrient applications and other cultural practices reduce the plant’s reliance on its symbiotic fungus. Likewise for truffle cultivation, trees that are too well cared for may provide insufficient support for the fungus and soils that are too ‘fungus friendly’ may lead to competition between a number of root-associating fungi. In both cases, truffle production can be expected to decline.

As a result, the challenge in establishing and maintaining a productive truffliere (where you see only trees) is to think in terms of the partnership rather than simply its component species.

Achieving this broader view of what constitutes a truffliere and so developing better designs and management systems, requires an understanding of the general ecology of the native growing areas. It is unlikely that any intact wilderness areas remain that could show us the complete dynamics of this ecosystem; so much must be inferred from the facts available. These include:

• Alkaline soils based on Limestone (but not Dolomite) parent material.
• Soils significantly higher in Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium than the parent material.
• Both truffles and Brûlé both especially attractive to rutting boars.
• Recovery of some areas where production had been in decline observed where sheep &/or horses were grazing
• Productive responses to Phosphorus and organic matter added to holes where truffles had been collected. (Ideal C:N ratio in the range 8 to 13).
• Responses in truffle production to summer cultivation, especially on silty soil textures.
• Rainfall of 600 to 800mm per year, mainly in Autumn and Spring, but with the potential for a few significant Summer storms.
• Responses in truffle weight to irrigations that mimic summer storms (moderate ‘pulse’ irrigations).

As a consequence of all this, it is clear that sustainable Truffle cultivation should be based on regular soil tests. Of course these tests need to include the right information and provide practical recommendations, but it is also just as important for the sample to be collected properly. Soil is highly variable stuff, so you cannot simply grab a spadeful and expect to get a useful test result that will help you achieve successful Truffle cultivation. First check the proper method for soil sampling in a Truffliere.

With more and more research being done into Truffle cultivation, their mysteries are beginning to be resolved, but any form of farming is more about management than science and most farmers find themselves quite isolated when is comes to developing the experience they need in order to become effective managers.

To help overcome this problem, a group of Victorian Truffiere managers (and others) recently got together to establish the first ever Truffle Study Group. To help them with their group activities we have set up a Forum section on this site, with Keyword-only access for Group Members. If you would like more information about this group, or would like to join, please Contact Us.