Tuber 2013: scientific advances in sustainable truffle culture

Since the 3rd International Truffle Conference in Spoleto (2008), researchers have made considerable progress in advancing understanding of the biology and ecology of Tuber species and in improving the sustainable productivity of thesen valuable fungi. Publication of the black truffle, Tuber melanosporum Vittad., genome (Martin et al. 2010) has opened new possibilities to explore gene functions and population dynamics of black truffles. New molecular technologies provide valuable tools to monitor black truffle development (Parladé et al. 2013) and allow researchers and managers to monitor the success of new truffle plantations and the effects of cultivation treatments on truffle productivity.