Servicios

Truffle industry and truffle forest management

Forest Bioengineering Solutions (FBS) is the spin-off company of the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC). It aims at enhancing knowledge, offer laboratory services and expertise advise in technology transfer for the agroforestry and environmental sector. Within its lines of activity, FBS, through the team of CTFC experts with more than 20 years of experience in the field of truffles, offers an integral service in transfer and support for the truffle producer and manager of the forests. FBS accompanies the client throughout the production process, advising him on the truffle production potential of his land, obtaining a quality mycorrhiza plant, the implantation of the crop and its subsequent monitoring and management over the life of the plantation.

Nursery plants analysis inoculated with Tuber melanosporum

Evaluation of individual plant or batches of plants for the determination of their micorrhizal state. The analyses are carried out in accordance with the protocol of Fischer, C. y Colinas, C. 2016 (1), complemented by a molecular analysis of mycorrhizae. A report based on the evaluated plants will include:

  • Forest quality of plants.
  • Estimation of the number and percentage of mycoses of melanosporum in the plant.
  • Estimation of the number and percentage of trophic roots without micorising on the plant.
  • Estimation of the number and percentage of mycorrhizes of other fungi other than melanosporum in the plant.
  • Estimation of the total number of trophic roots of the plant.
  • Estimation of the total number of melanosporum mycorrhizens in the plant.
  • Detection of myalysis of brumale, T. indicum, T. estivum.
(1) Fischer, C. y Colinas, C. 2016. Method for the evaluation of plant quality and micorrhic status of Quercus ilex plants inoculated with Tuber melanosporum. Fischer y Colinas (1996), review, April 2016.
Truffle plantations monitoring through the mycelium soil analysis
The purpose of this service is to inform the farmers about the implantation and colonization of the fungus in the soil through the detection of Tuber melanosporum mycelium in truffle plantations. We also help in the identification of the production potential of the truffle forest in order to identify the most suitable trees. This service also informs about the presence of other undesired species such as T. brumale and T. indicum, which could affect the feasibility of the exploitation.
Truffle identification

The objective is to verify the fresh truffle or frozen species through molecular techniques for its monitoring in the following sectors:

  • Truffle plants inoculation (nursery plants).
  • In-field inoculation (spores).
  • Agro-food industry.
  • Truffle identification from the field and not identified previously.
Technical visits
We provide direct in-field assessment through technical visits in order to evaluate the truffle potentiality of the fields, soil sampling, soil analysis and holistic technical assessment for the plantation management (vegetation management, watering, mycelium sampling. etc.).
Training
We do specific training sessions according to your necessities. Truffle implantation and management courses (vegetation management, watering management, prunes) and for the mycorrhiza identification.