Problems and perspectives in the production of Tuber infected plants

Abstract The first important step in truffle cultivation is the production of Tuber infected plants. For this three forms of inocula can be used: spores, infected roots or pure cultures. It is the last of these which shows the most promise because it provides the opportunity for selecting fungal strains with ideal infections, affinity for the host plant and adaption to the ecological conditions and so optimising truffle production. Our initial experimental results confirm that strains can vary in infectivity and host specificity. However, before this information can be applied commercially it will be necessary to standardise the inoculation technique, perfect the preparation of the inoculum and select the most suitable medium for growing the cultures. In the future it should also be possible to select beneficial fungi and bacteria that can promote ectomycorrhizal development and fruit body formation.