Poster


FISCHER, CHRISTINE1 & CARLOS COLINAS2. 1Depto. de Investigacin Forestal 
de Valonsadero, Apdo. 175, E-42080 Soria, Spain. 2Dep. Produccio Vegetal  
i Ciencia Forestal, Universitat de Lleida, Av. Rovira Roure 177, E-25198 
Lleida, Spain.- Methodology for certification of Quercus ilex seedlings 
inoculated with Tuber melanosporum for commercial application

The decrease in edible truffle (Tuber sp.) production over the last 30 
years from naturally occurring sites in France, Italy and Spain has 
promoted a great interest in cultivation. Commercial inoculation methods 
have been employed in France and Italy since 1979, with certification of 
seedling quality managed by regulatory bodies of the appropriate 
country. In the past five years interest in truficulture has increased 
in calcareous regions of Spain and a practical, economical method for 
certification of commercially inoculated seedlings of Spanish nursery 
production is needed.  The objectives of this method are to characterize 
the ectomycorrhizae of Quercusilex with T. melanosporum as well as 
important competitors of the same genera (T. brumale, T. indicum) and 
commonly occurring greenhouse ectomycorrhizae, such as Sphaerosporella 
brunnea, which can potentially displace the desired Tuber.  Based on 
these descriptions, a synoptic key has been developed for use in the 
random examination of a statistically tested minimum number of root 
apices and plants within a homogenous lot to ensure 95% compliance with 
seedling quality and colonization level. A laboratory assistant will be 
trained in the methodology.
Further objectives for certification include the development of European 
Community standards as well as followup studies of competing 
ectomycorrhizae to examine their outplanting performance under different 
field conditions with respect to their potential capacity for 
displacement of Tuber species.