Soil physical properties influence “black truffle” fructification in plantations

Abstract

Although the important effects of pH and carbonate content of soils on "black truffle" (Tuber melanosporum) production are well known, we poorly understand the influence of soil physical properties. This study focuses on physical soil characteristics that drive successful production of black truffles in plantations. Seventy-eight Quercus ilex ssp. ballota plantations older than 10 years were studied in the province of Teruel (eastern Spain). Soil samples were analyzed for various edaphic characteristics and to locate T. melanosporum ectomycorrhizae. The influence of cultivation practices, climatic features, and soil properties on sporocarp production was assessed using multivariate analyses. Low contents of fine earth and silt and high levels of bulk density, clay content, and water-holding capacity appear to promote fructification. Watering is also highly positive for truffle fructification. We develop and discuss a logistic model to predict the probability of truffle fructification in field sites under consideration for truffle plantation establishment. The balance between water availability and aeration plays a crucial role in achieving success in black truffle plantations.

Tuber indicum shapes the microbial communities of ectomycorhizosphere soil and ectomycorrhizae of an indigenous tree (Pinus armandii)

“…Some of the available nutrients and mineral elements, such as the organic matter, effective nitrogen, available phosphorus, available manganese, available calcium and available magnesium, were slightly higher in ectomycorrhizosphere soil during symbiotic stage than CK.S. The differences observed in soil properties may contribute to the synthesis of truffle ectomycorrhizas [30, 56–58], since the important effects of soil properties, such as pH and carbonate content, on “black truffle” ( Tuber melanosporum ) production are well known. Compared with the black truffle T .…”

“…Ectomycorrhizal fungi can improve nitrogen and water acquisition of host plants, playing a key role in the nutrition of forest trees [27–29]. The colonization of ectomycorrhizal fungi causing higher soil porosities, which has proven to play a crucial role in achieving success in black truffle plantations [30]. Nevertheless, some indirect effects of the truffle ectomycorrhizal symbiosis have not been investigated, such as the effects on other soil microbes, and how the endophytic bacteria of host plants may interact with the mycorrhizal synthesis and affect plant growth.…”

Chinese Black Truffle (Tuber indicum) Alters the Ectomycorrhizosphere and Endoectomycosphere Microbiome and Metabolic Profiles of the Host Tree Quercus aliena

“…They also can improve water and nitrogen acquisition of the host plants and play a key role in the nutrition acquisition of forest trees ( Liese et al, 2018 ). The colonization of ECM induces higher soil porosities, which has been proven to play a crucial role in achieving success in black truffle plantations ( Alonso Ponce et al, 2014 ). Our previous studies have shown that the growth of T. indicum alters the microbial communities of ectomycorrhizosphere soil and ectomycorrhizae of P. armandii ( Li et al, 2017 ).…”

Increased evapotranspiration demand in a Mediterranean climate might cause a decline in fungal yields under global warming

“…A sustainable management of wild mushrooms requires a thorough comprehension of the factors driving mushroom production and temporal variability. Control of mushroom production is related to multiple environmental factors such as site soil characteristics (Barroetaveña et al ., ; Alonso Ponce et al ., ), endogenous dynamics of fungal communities (Smith et al ., ; De Miguel et al ., ), succession (Fernández‐Toirán et al ., ; Baptista et al ., ), forest management (Egli et al ., ; Le Tacon et al ., ), and climate (Baptista et al ., ; Diez et al ., ). Climate is a major component determining mushroom production, particularly during the fruiting period (Boddy et al ., ).…”