Calcareous amendments to soils to eradicate Tuber brumale from T. melanosporum cultivations: a multivariate statistical approach

Calcareous amendments are being used in Tuber melanosporum truffle plantations in attempts to eradicate Tuber brumale. However, there are no studies available which provide soil analysis and statistical data on this topic. We studied 77 soil samples to compare the values for carbonates, pH and total organic carbon in T. brumale truffieres with the values for T. melanosporum truffieres on contaminated farms and in natural areas. Statistical analyses indicate that the concentrations of active carbonate and total carbonate in the soil are significantly higher in T. brumale truffieres than in T. melanosporum truffieres, but that there are no significant differences in pH and total organic carbon. We conclude that liming would not suppress T. brumale ectomycorrhizas in contaminated T. melanosporum farms, and calcareous amendments do not therefore seem be a means of eradicating T. brumale in these farms.