Available documents |
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Proceedings of the LIFE Workshop on Cultivation of Mycorrhizal Edible Fungi |
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Introduction of mycorrhizal edible fungi in reforestation sites of NE Spain
Loss of rural population
Reduction in incomes from forestry and agriculture
Reduction in forest management
Increase in risks of forest fires
Increase in demands for wild mushrooms and truffles
One solution
Introduction of quality edible fungi in reforestation sites
Economically viable alternative to agricultural crops and added value to forestry income
In the field |
In the laboratory |
1. Establish contact with forest owners and visit field sites. |
1. Search for commercially available tree seedlings inoculated with edible mycorrhizal fungi. |
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2. Analyze soils to determine the appropriate species of tree and fungus for each site. |
2. Visit the nurseries to plan for seedling inoculations and to establish collaboration in the business sector. |
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3. Prepare soils for planting. |
3.Evaluate the seedlings to quantify the level of colonization by the inoculated fungus and other possible contaminants prior to plantation. |
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Plantation
Project technicians assist the landowners in preparations for plantation, in placement of seedlings and in installation of protectors to prevent damage from animal browsing and climate extremes.
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We established plantation with various densities in order to evaluate the effects of density on the onset and duration of fruitbody production. In the Tuber sites the following densities have been setup: 3 x6 m, 4 x6 m, 5 x6 m, 6 x6 m y 7 x6 m |
In the dry and rocky soils of the area, a mechanical hole driller facilitated the creation of 60-80 cm deep planting holes . |
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We irrigated the seedlings immediately after plantation to ensure settlement of the substrate and to help reduce transplant shock. |
The plant protectors are important in the first years to prevent animal browsing. |
Follow-up: Evaluation of development of mycorrhizae
This is a long-term project in which, depending on the species of fungus, will require 6-10 years before the first mushroom harvest. How can we evaluate the success of the plantation before the onset of production? By monitoring the evolution of the mycorrhizae we can verify the presence of the desired fungus in the root systems of the trees prior to harvest time.
In order to know if the desired mycorrhizae are proliferating in the root systems of the planted trees, we will remove individual samples periodically and examine their roots microscopically to observe the belowground developments.
| 1. After cleaning the plant collected from the field, we observe the mycorrhizae at the binocular microscope. |  |
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| 2. We identify and estimate the number of mycorrhizae of the desired fungus and non-desired fungi in order to monitor the development of the mycorrhizae during the years before harvest |
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Mycorrhiza of Lactarius
deliciosus (delicious milky cap).
Mycorrhiza of Thelephora sp., a common greenhouse contaminant. |
It is normal to find several different types of mycorrhiza in plants grown in field conditions. Our objective is to maintain conditions which favor the proliferation of the desired species in high proportions. The following photos demonstrate an example of a competitive mycorrhiza (Sphaerosporella brunnea) frequently encountered in plants inoculated with black truffle (Tuber melanosporum).
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Mycorrhiza of Tuber melanosporum. |
Microscopic mantle characteristic of Tuber melanosporum. |
Fruitbody of Tuber melanosporum. |
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Mycorrhiza of Sphaerosporella brunnea. |
Microscopic mantle characteristic of Sphaerosporella brunnea. |
Fruitbody of Sphaerosporella brunnea. |
In 1997 and 1998 we established plantations with 6 mushrooms in 29 plots covering a total of 14 ha and distributed over 4 Autonomous Communities (Aragón, Comunidad Valenciana, País Vasco and principally Catalunya) of NE Spain. During the coming years we will study the evolution of the mycorrhizae and ultimately the production of truffles and mushrooms.
Plantation Locations
(Click on the dots for more information )
