Mapping the potential for truffle production in a natural environment. Development of a method suited to the private forests of the Mont Ventoux (France)

The aim is to map the potentiality of the black truffle production based on the current scientific knowledge already available. To do this, a truffle potential level is assigned to each point of the territory covered with forests. This must eventually allow managers to determine the level of investment in rehabilitating formerly truffle land based on expected potential production.

The black truffle, Tuber melanosporum, is an emblematic production of the Mont Ventoux where it has been cultivated since the beginning of the 19th century. However, its production has declined considerably over the last century, particularly because of the increase of the forest cover. Today, a revitalization of the truffle production is at stake for the forestry activity of this Mediterranean territory.

Before undertaking rehabilitation work, it is necessary to assess the potential of truffle production. Two factors condition this potential : the presence of Tuber melanosporum inoculum and pedoclimatic conditions. In this study, it is assumed that the Mont Ventoux soils have a homogeneous inoculum potential. The second factor only is therefore considered.

Sébastien Diette, sebastien.diette@alcina.fr, http://www.alcina.fr/

The complete article is available on the following website :

http://documents.irevues.inist.fr/bitstream/handle/2042/32934/629_642_REV.for.fr6_2009_Chandioux.pdf?sequence=1

The complete guide to evaluate the truffle potential is available on :

http://www1.onf.fr/midimed/++oid++8ee/@@display_media.html