A search for naturally grown Burgundy truffles (Tuber aestivum) in hazelnut plantations in Germany: Results of a survey

Abstract

To overcome the increasing strain on agricultural crop production in Central Europe, new management practices are in demand that allow for sustainable farming systems while providing the farmers with a reliable income. One option is the establishment of hazelnut plantations (Corylus avellana) to produce and sell hazelnuts. A possibility to further increase benefits from hazelnut plantations might be offered by harvesting summer truffles (or Burgundy truffles, Tuber aestivum), a species that frequently forms mycorrhizae with hazelnut trees in the wild. Consequently, a first systematic survey was undertaken to assess the potential presence of naturally grown T. aestivum on 14 existing hazelnut plantations in Germany using trained truffle dogs. Naturally grown Burgundy truffles were not found on the visited plantations. The dogs unearthed eight other species of hypogeous fungi. Hazelnut farmers should not be too optimistic that naturally grown T. aestivum will provide them with a noteworthy additional income from their plantations.