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Table 6: Various Particle Contributions to Active Carbonate A critical issue for trufficulture at Cascina La Famo is whether marly soils produce as much active carbonate as stony soils. The level of active carbonate at Cascina La Famo is around 10%, while the range reported from within the productive brulés in the Garcia-Montero study is from 0.21 to 8.15%, which is typical for limestone-based soils. Active carbonate in marly soils is typically in the Tange 10 to 13%; in limestone- based soils, active carbonate is usually less than 10%.°° On this evidence, one can conclude that marly soils produce more than enough active carbonate for T. melanosporum production. Surface stoniness is not required as a source of active carbonate in these soils.

Table 6 Various Particle Contributions to Active Carbonate A critical issue for trufficulture at Cascina La Famo is whether marly soils produce as much active carbonate as stony soils. The level of active carbonate at Cascina La Famo is around 10%, while the range reported from within the productive brulés in the Garcia-Montero study is from 0.21 to 8.15%, which is typical for limestone-based soils. Active carbonate in marly soils is typically in the Tange 10 to 13%; in limestone- based soils, active carbonate is usually less than 10%.°° On this evidence, one can conclude that marly soils produce more than enough active carbonate for T. melanosporum production. Surface stoniness is not required as a source of active carbonate in these soils.

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Figure 2: The Messinian Outcrops of the Tertiary Piedmont Basin
Figure 2: The Messinian Outcrops of the Tertiary Piedmont Basin
Like tufa-rich soils, gypsum soils can also be highly porous, and are often densely- populated by fauna of all sizes. For more information on the possible benefits of gypsum in the soil, see the heading ‘Gypsum’. " Friability is the ability of a solid substance to be reduced to smaller pieces with little effort.
Like tufa-rich soils, gypsum soils can also be highly porous, and are often densely- populated by fauna of all sizes. For more information on the possible benefits of gypsum in the soil, see the heading ‘Gypsum’. " Friability is the ability of a solid substance to be reduced to smaller pieces with little effort.
Table 2: Regione di Piemonte Soil Classification
Table 2: Regione di Piemonte Soil Classification
The following illustration places the Cascina La Famo topsoil into a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) textural triangle:
The following illustration places the Cascina La Famo topsoil into a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) textural triangle:
‘ These figures clearly show the effect of N, K and P fertilizers on the topsoil. Note also the dotted green line that divides the T. melanosporum zone. To the left of this line are the calcareous sandy soils that are typical of Provence; to the right of it are the less calcareous soils, with a high organic matter content, that are typical of Perigord and Quercy.” The ability of organic matter in the soil to increase its macroporosity, and thus to compensate for a low concentration of sand, is discussed in detail in this paper. As will be seen, organic matter is a critical issue at Cascina La Famo, which has a Perigord/Quercy-type soil with a low proportion of sand. *° The locations of Périgueux (in Perigord) and Cahors (in Quercy) are shown in Figure 9
‘ These figures clearly show the effect of N, K and P fertilizers on the topsoil. Note also the dotted green line that divides the T. melanosporum zone. To the left of this line are the calcareous sandy soils that are typical of Provence; to the right of it are the less calcareous soils, with a high organic matter content, that are typical of Perigord and Quercy.” The ability of organic matter in the soil to increase its macroporosity, and thus to compensate for a low concentration of sand, is discussed in detail in this paper. As will be seen, organic matter is a critical issue at Cascina La Famo, which has a Perigord/Quercy-type soil with a low proportion of sand. *° The locations of Périgueux (in Perigord) and Cahors (in Quercy) are shown in Figure 9
Figure 6: IPLA Map of T. melanosporum Potential
Figure 6: IPLA Map of T. melanosporum Potential
Figure 7: Ca** and H® activity vs. CO concentration in CaCO3/CaSO, soils independent of soil depth. Ca** activity is high even when the soil is relatively dry, with a low level of microbial respiration.
Figure 7: Ca** and H® activity vs. CO concentration in CaCO3/CaSO, soils independent of soil depth. Ca** activity is high even when the soil is relatively dry, with a low level of microbial respiration.
Table 5: Range of Italian T. melanosporum Soil Parameters The site www. tartuficoltura.com publishes a range of values of various soil parameters observed on successful T. melanosporum plantations in Italy.”* These values are summarized in the following table: Soil Parameters at T. melanosporum Plantations in Italy
Table 5: Range of Italian T. melanosporum Soil Parameters The site www. tartuficoltura.com publishes a range of values of various soil parameters observed on successful T. melanosporum plantations in Italy.”* These values are summarized in the following table: Soil Parameters at T. melanosporum Plantations in Italy
Table 8: Climatic Conditions for T. melanosporum Development
Table 8: Climatic Conditions for T. melanosporum Development
* Italian production figures for 1990, 1991 and 1992 are excluded from this analysis: see Appendix F Table 9: Correlations between Precipitation and Production from the Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut (K NMI) ‘Climate Explorer database.‘“°'! CRU TS3.10.01 precipitation data was extracted from the database with a 1 degree resolution.'“”!*? The 1-degree quadrants [Spain 40.5-41.5N, 1.5- 2.5W; France 44.0-45.0N, 5.0-6.0E; Italy 42.0-43.0N, 12.5-13.5E] were selected to provide a best fit with the truffle regions defined in Figure 8. The following table summarizes the precipitation and production data in Appendix F, and presents correlations between these two variables. Note that the precipitation figures are averages for the entire quadrant, not only the zones in which truffles are found:
* Italian production figures for 1990, 1991 and 1992 are excluded from this analysis: see Appendix F Table 9: Correlations between Precipitation and Production from the Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut (K NMI) ‘Climate Explorer database.‘“°'! CRU TS3.10.01 precipitation data was extracted from the database with a 1 degree resolution.'“”!*? The 1-degree quadrants [Spain 40.5-41.5N, 1.5- 2.5W; France 44.0-45.0N, 5.0-6.0E; Italy 42.0-43.0N, 12.5-13.5E] were selected to provide a best fit with the truffle regions defined in Figure 8. The following table summarizes the precipitation and production data in Appendix F, and presents correlations between these two variables. Note that the precipitation figures are averages for the entire quadrant, not only the zones in which truffles are found:
Figure 11: Calcisol Distribution in South-West Europe Evidence that there is indeed such a difference in the average water-storage capacity of soils in the three truffle regions is provided by the following European soil maps. The terms Calcisol, Leptosol and Cambisol are soil classifications from the ‘World Reference Base' (WRB) for soil resources issued by the FAO.'“* These WRB classifications are used in the ‘Soil Atlas of Europe’, from which the following soil maps are derived.‘
Figure 11: Calcisol Distribution in South-West Europe Evidence that there is indeed such a difference in the average water-storage capacity of soils in the three truffle regions is provided by the following European soil maps. The terms Calcisol, Leptosol and Cambisol are soil classifications from the ‘World Reference Base' (WRB) for soil resources issued by the FAO.'“* These WRB classifications are used in the ‘Soil Atlas of Europe’, from which the following soil maps are derived.‘
Figure 12: Leptosol Distribution in South-West Europe
Figure 12: Leptosol Distribution in South-West Europe
Figure 13: Cambisol Distribution in South-West Europe Leptosols are very shallow soils (typically 10 to 25 cm thick) that often contain a large amount of stones or gravel. They typically remain under natural vegetation, being especially susceptible to erosion, desiccation, or waterlogging, depending on climate and topography. They have a low water-storage capacity: excessive internal drainage can cause drought, even in a humid environment. Leptosols (including Rendzic Leptosols, often called simply 'Rendzinas') are the main soil type of truffle grounds in France, particularly in Provence. A small proportion of Spanish truffle grounds are on Leptosols - in the Pyrenean foothills, and in the central-eastern zone north-west of Valencia. Also a small proportion of Italian truffle grounds are on Leptosols, particularly south of Acqualagna (in Le Marche) and in south-eastern Umbnia.
Figure 13: Cambisol Distribution in South-West Europe Leptosols are very shallow soils (typically 10 to 25 cm thick) that often contain a large amount of stones or gravel. They typically remain under natural vegetation, being especially susceptible to erosion, desiccation, or waterlogging, depending on climate and topography. They have a low water-storage capacity: excessive internal drainage can cause drought, even in a humid environment. Leptosols (including Rendzic Leptosols, often called simply 'Rendzinas') are the main soil type of truffle grounds in France, particularly in Provence. A small proportion of Spanish truffle grounds are on Leptosols - in the Pyrenean foothills, and in the central-eastern zone north-west of Valencia. Also a small proportion of Italian truffle grounds are on Leptosols, particularly south of Acqualagna (in Le Marche) and in south-eastern Umbnia.
Figure 14: Geology of South-West Europe’*’ As discussed previously, the Regione di Piemonte classifies Cascina La Famo soil as an entisol. However, ‘entisol'is a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) soil classification: there is no exactly equivalent WRB classification. Cascina La Famo soil, according to the Soil Atlas of Europe, is a Dystric Cambisol. However, Dystric Cambisols have a base saturation of less than 50%. As can be seen from Table 4, Cascina La Famo soil has a base saturation of 90% in the subsoil and 97% in the topsoil: it should therefore more correctly be classified as a Eutric Cambisol.
Figure 14: Geology of South-West Europe’*’ As discussed previously, the Regione di Piemonte classifies Cascina La Famo soil as an entisol. However, ‘entisol'is a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) soil classification: there is no exactly equivalent WRB classification. Cascina La Famo soil, according to the Soil Atlas of Europe, is a Dystric Cambisol. However, Dystric Cambisols have a base saturation of less than 50%. As can be seen from Table 4, Cascina La Famo soil has a base saturation of 90% in the subsoil and 97% in the topsoil: it should therefore more correctly be classified as a Eutric Cambisol.
At Cascina La Famo in particular, the presence of a deep, high-clay Eutric Cambisol with a high water capacity (which will later be shown to be udic) and a mesic thermal regime should lead to a relatively low production sensitivity to summer precipitation levels.!°°*! As previously noted, Cascina La Famo is classified as a Silty Clay Loam, which contains a particularly high level of water that is available to plants and other organisms. This can be seen in the following graph, in which Silty Clay Loam (not shown) lies between the Silt Loam and Clay Loam textural classes:
At Cascina La Famo in particular, the presence of a deep, high-clay Eutric Cambisol with a high water capacity (which will later be shown to be udic) and a mesic thermal regime should lead to a relatively low production sensitivity to summer precipitation levels.!°°*! As previously noted, Cascina La Famo is classified as a Silty Clay Loam, which contains a particularly high level of water that is available to plants and other organisms. This can be seen in the following graph, in which Silty Clay Loam (not shown) lies between the Silt Loam and Clay Loam textural classes:
Table 10: Cephalanthera Damasonium at Cascina La Famo This increase is highly significant. In a study of C. damasonium in an oak/hazel forest on a calcareous soil just south of Paris (in an area where T. melanosporum is not found), T. aestivum, T. excavatum and several other ectomycorrhizal fungi, with which the orchid appeared to have a symbiotic relationship, were found in its roots. ‘®” Ectomycorrhizal fungi were found to dominate in C. damasonium roots: the host trees provided up to 50% of the orchid's carbon via ectomycorrhizal fungi, i.e this orchid is also mixotrophic. Other isotopic studies of C. damasonium have revealed that it can obtain up to 85% of its carbon from fungi.’%!%°
Table 10: Cephalanthera Damasonium at Cascina La Famo This increase is highly significant. In a study of C. damasonium in an oak/hazel forest on a calcareous soil just south of Paris (in an area where T. melanosporum is not found), T. aestivum, T. excavatum and several other ectomycorrhizal fungi, with which the orchid appeared to have a symbiotic relationship, were found in its roots. ‘®” Ectomycorrhizal fungi were found to dominate in C. damasonium roots: the host trees provided up to 50% of the orchid's carbon via ectomycorrhizal fungi, i.e this orchid is also mixotrophic. Other isotopic studies of C. damasonium have revealed that it can obtain up to 85% of its carbon from fungi.’%!%°
The logical solution to this question is to allow the vegetation itself to decide. The author has detected only two species at Cascina La Famo (Ornithogalum narbonense and Althaea cannabina) that are in the Central/South Italy flora but not in the Central European flora. Conversely, the author has found three species at Cascina La Famo (Hypochaeris maculata, Eranthis hyemalis and Erigeron annuus) that are in the Central European flora but not in the Central/South Italy flora. Therefore, by a score of 3 to 2, the Cascina La Famo flora ‘perceives' a Central European association: for phytosociological purposes, Cascina La Famo is closer to Central Europe.
The logical solution to this question is to allow the vegetation itself to decide. The author has detected only two species at Cascina La Famo (Ornithogalum narbonense and Althaea cannabina) that are in the Central/South Italy flora but not in the Central European flora. Conversely, the author has found three species at Cascina La Famo (Hypochaeris maculata, Eranthis hyemalis and Erigeron annuus) that are in the Central European flora but not in the Central/South Italy flora. Therefore, by a score of 3 to 2, the Cascina La Famo flora ‘perceives' a Central European association: for phytosociological purposes, Cascina La Famo is closer to Central Europe.
Figure 22: European Distribution of Quercus pubescens
Figure 22: European Distribution of Quercus pubescens
Note that the EIV data included in Table 13 is for the North and South zones of Cascina La Famo only, i.e the moist central zone is excluded from this analysis. The data presented in Appendix D appears to confirm the conclusion that the moist central zone (F5.16) is unlikely to be suitable for T. melanosporum cultivation. This conclusion is also supported by the absence of brulés in the central zone.
Note that the EIV data included in Table 13 is for the North and South zones of Cascina La Famo only, i.e the moist central zone is excluded from this analysis. The data presented in Appendix D appears to confirm the conclusion that the moist central zone (F5.16) is unlikely to be suitable for T. melanosporum cultivation. This conclusion is also supported by the absence of brulés in the central zone.
The correspondence between endogeic earthworms and organic matter that is bound to soil minerals within aggregates (‘Bounded OM’) is neatly illustrated in the following figure:
The correspondence between endogeic earthworms and organic matter that is bound to soil minerals within aggregates (‘Bounded OM’) is neatly illustrated in the following figure:
Figure 26: Soil Structure, Texture and Organic Matter’”? From Figure 26, we see that a very sandy soil, with little clay, has a structure that is ‘ittle changed by variations in organic matter. However, as the proportion of clay in the soil increases, and/or the proportion of sand decreases, the percentage of organic matter in the soil plays an increasing role in determining its structure. In a high-clay, low-sand soil with a very high percentage of organic matter, the soil can develop a granular structure with a macropore space greater than that of a sandy soil. In a high- clay, low-sand soil with a very low percentage of organic matter, on the other hand, the soil typically has a platy structure with a macropore space less than that of a sandy oil. Figure 25 illustrates exactly the kind of structural improvement we are seeking to achieve in the Silty Clay Loam of Cascina La Famo. In this figure, note the effect of an approximate doubling of near-surface organic matter on the porosity of Silt Loam soils: although the overall porosity in unchanged, the change in the ratio of macropores to the combination of micro- and mesopores is dramatic. Note also that the ‘Silt Loam with Good Structure’ soil has a greater macroporosity than the Sandy soil, and that the Sandy soil has about the same content of organic matter at the surface as the 'Silt Loam with Poor Structure’. Unlike the Sandy soil, the Silt Loam soil has a structure that is very sensitive to changes in organic matter content.
Figure 26: Soil Structure, Texture and Organic Matter’”? From Figure 26, we see that a very sandy soil, with little clay, has a structure that is ‘ittle changed by variations in organic matter. However, as the proportion of clay in the soil increases, and/or the proportion of sand decreases, the percentage of organic matter in the soil plays an increasing role in determining its structure. In a high-clay, low-sand soil with a very high percentage of organic matter, the soil can develop a granular structure with a macropore space greater than that of a sandy soil. In a high- clay, low-sand soil with a very low percentage of organic matter, on the other hand, the soil typically has a platy structure with a macropore space less than that of a sandy oil. Figure 25 illustrates exactly the kind of structural improvement we are seeking to achieve in the Silty Clay Loam of Cascina La Famo. In this figure, note the effect of an approximate doubling of near-surface organic matter on the porosity of Silt Loam soils: although the overall porosity in unchanged, the change in the ratio of macropores to the combination of micro- and mesopores is dramatic. Note also that the ‘Silt Loam with Good Structure’ soil has a greater macroporosity than the Sandy soil, and that the Sandy soil has about the same content of organic matter at the surface as the 'Silt Loam with Poor Structure’. Unlike the Sandy soil, the Silt Loam soil has a structure that is very sensitive to changes in organic matter content.
Figure 27: Macroporosity as a function of Bulk Density’
Figure 27: Macroporosity as a function of Bulk Density’
Table 15: Properties of different humus types
Table 15: Properties of different humus types
Table 16: Ectomycorrhizal competitors to T. melanosporum Altogether, 106 different ectomycorrhizal types were identified at "Los Quejigares" from their anatomical and morphological characters alone. The authors noted that a ‘type’ could only be conservatively identified with a single species, and that the number of species exceeded the number of 'types' by an unknown margin. Of these 106 types, only 43 were present on 0.1% or more of the root tips. Eleven of the most common morphotypes are reproduced in following the table, together with some useful additional classifications: °° Murat et al (2005) 3° Zambonelli et al (2009) 361 A gerer (2001)
Table 16: Ectomycorrhizal competitors to T. melanosporum Altogether, 106 different ectomycorrhizal types were identified at "Los Quejigares" from their anatomical and morphological characters alone. The authors noted that a ‘type’ could only be conservatively identified with a single species, and that the number of species exceeded the number of 'types' by an unknown margin. Of these 106 types, only 43 were present on 0.1% or more of the root tips. Eleven of the most common morphotypes are reproduced in following the table, together with some useful additional classifications: °° Murat et al (2005) 3° Zambonelli et al (2009) 361 A gerer (2001)
Figure 30: Hazel leaf ypavs. CO2 assimilation rate
Figure 30: Hazel leaf ypavs. CO2 assimilation rate
7 Maistrelli et al. (2006), quoting ISTAT (1999-2006)
7 Maistrelli et al. (2006), quoting ISTAT (1999-2006)
T. magnatum values are about 3 times T. melanosporum values, but average truffle values in Piedmont are more than 3 times the average value in Le Marche, its nearest competitor. This can only mean that production in Piedmont is predominantly of T. magnatum, with little production of lesser-value species. This conclusion is confirmed by the following:
T. magnatum values are about 3 times T. melanosporum values, but average truffle values in Piedmont are more than 3 times the average value in Le Marche, its nearest competitor. This can only mean that production in Piedmont is predominantly of T. magnatum, with little production of lesser-value species. This conclusion is confirmed by the following:
Table 19: Italian White Truffle production (Forests only, 2002 — 2008) Total white truffle production is about 6 times larger than the production from forests alone: presumably most T. magnatum production is from single trees, or from small groups of trees in a non-forest setting. However, Bianchetto is almost exclusively a forest species: the percentage of Bianchetto in the total white truffle production must be less than the percentage of Bianchetto shown in the above table. It can therefore be stated with a high confidence level that the majority of Italian white truffle production is of T. magnatum. Since only 2% of Italian white truffles are produced in Piedmont, the majority of Italian white truffles produced outside Piedmont must also be mostly I. magnatum: Piedmontese white truffle production is too small to modify this conclusion. The first theory doesn't fit with the published production data.
Table 19: Italian White Truffle production (Forests only, 2002 — 2008) Total white truffle production is about 6 times larger than the production from forests alone: presumably most T. magnatum production is from single trees, or from small groups of trees in a non-forest setting. However, Bianchetto is almost exclusively a forest species: the percentage of Bianchetto in the total white truffle production must be less than the percentage of Bianchetto shown in the above table. It can therefore be stated with a high confidence level that the majority of Italian white truffle production is of T. magnatum. Since only 2% of Italian white truffles are produced in Piedmont, the majority of Italian white truffles produced outside Piedmont must also be mostly I. magnatum: Piedmontese white truffle production is too small to modify this conclusion. The first theory doesn't fit with the published production data.
Light Temp Cont Moist Calc Prod Salt
Light Temp Cont Moist Calc Prod Salt
Ellenberg Indicator Values for T. melanosporum hosts.°”” The raw data is the mean of the Central Europe data of Ellenberg (1992) and the Central/South Italy data of Fanelli (2007):
Ellenberg Indicator Values for T. melanosporum hosts.°”” The raw data is the mean of the Central Europe data of Ellenberg (1992) and the Central/South Italy data of Fanelli (2007):
Appendix F
Appendix F
* These reports state that "despite the high water-storage capacity, there may be problems of water deficit in periods of low rainfall". www .regione.piemonte.gov.it/agri/area_tecnico_scientifica/suoli/suolil 50/dwd/u_tip/(Filename) Source:
* These reports state that "despite the high water-storage capacity, there may be problems of water deficit in periods of low rainfall". www .regione.piemonte.gov.it/agri/area_tecnico_scientifica/suoli/suolil 50/dwd/u_tip/(Filename) Source:
Related topics:
MicrobiologyMycologySoil ScienceEcologyTruffle Cultivation
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