Ecology and possibility of culture in europe of the burgundy truffle tuber uncinatum ch
Chevalier, G.; Frochot, H.
Revue des Sciences Naturelles d'Auvergne 53(1-4): 17-26
1987
Accession: 007236849
The Burgundy truffle Tuber uncinatum Chatin) seems to be the most common species of truffle in Europe, from Italy and Spain, to the Baltic states and U.S.S.R. T. uncinatum grows in very various sites: plateaux, slopes, bottoms of slopes and of valley, at any exposure. It is associated with many forest tree species (oaks, hazel, beech, hornbeam, birch, pines). Everywhere in Europe, any wood open to the sun is likely to bear truffles as long as the soil in calcareous or at least calciumrich. The Burgundy truffle has less requirements than T. melanosporum (Perigord truffle) as regards its ecological conditions. This accounts for its vast distribution. T. uncinatum is less sensitive to lower temperatures, so it thrives more in northern countries and at higher altitudes. However it does not tolerate so well periods of drought in summer. It is able to develop in a wide range of soils derived from parent rock of very different geological ages provided they are calcuareous, though the soils may be partially decalcidied. It likes well drained and aerated soils with a well-balanced texture and an aggregate structure but it can support heavy soils. The level of organic matter may be very variable (like the calcium content); it can be comparatively high. The amount of exchangeable ions may also be very different but generally T. uncinatum grows in soils which are rich in potassium but very poor in phosphates. The cultivation of the Burgundy truffle has been successfully tried in France for ten years now. Like for the Perigord truffle, the plants are satisfactorily mycorrhized in the nursery but the cultural methods still need improvement.