Edelpilze truffles in their own cultivation? Is that possible?

Truffle from own cultivation? On the way to the new special culture
(BZfE) - Truffle lovers will be pleased: The culinary delicacy could perhaps soon come from local areas. Truffles can be found not only in French but also in local forests. Collecting the strictly protected species is not allowed.

The majority of the Burgundy and Périgord truffles that are on the market now come from truffle plantations. Truffle trees have been around since the 19th century. Even in Bavaria, there were farms in the 18th and 19th centuries, which took care of truffles. Approaches to start a truffle culture have been repeated, but without success. Only when specialized tree nurseries infect site-friendly and ecologically adapted tree species with the spores of "native" truffles, it is possible to breed domestic truffles.

Grow truffles yourself, is that possible? Picture: different picture - fotolia

There is now an assortment of truffle species and tree species. The plant of a truffle garden is scientifically accompanied and tested by the Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture in Veitshöchheim. In the specialist information from the agricultural administration in Bavaria, the possibilities for creating a truffle garden are described. Prerequisite is the orientation to the conditions of the natural truffle locations.

The soil should be calcareous with a pH well above seven, have a good soil structure and be interspersed with smaller limestones. Waterlogging should not be allowed. Host trees are mainly hazelnut shrubs in association with oaks, groves and hornbeams. First investigations in the experiment have shown that the truffle mycorrhiza has developed well. Now it remains to be seen whether there will be a truffle harvest from the 5th to the 7th year. Fast harvests are therefore not guaranteed and the truffle will develop if, then to a very sophisticated special culture. Renate Kessen, bzfe