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Weed control modifies Tuber melanosporum mycelial expansion in young oak plantations

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Abstract

Context

Black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) cultivation is a promising agro-forestry alternative for Mediterranean rural areas, but adequate weed control at seedling establishment still remains a challenge in black truffle plantations.

Aims

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of several weed control strategies on early development of Quercus ilex seedlings and the symbiotic T. melanosporum.

Materials and methods

In a young black truffle-inoculated holm oak plantation, we assessed for 3 years the effects of two types of mechanical weed control and five mulches in a young Q. ilex plantation inoculated with T. melanosporum. Herbaceous cover, seedling growth and abundance of T. melanosporum mycelium, based on PCR analysis of soil DNA extracts using T. melanosporum-specific primers, were estimated to determine the effectiveness of these treatments in controlling weeds and supporting the growth of both the host tree and the target fungus.

Results

The amount of T. melanosporum mycelium in the soil 30 cm around the seedlings was larger under double-layer white mulch than in the rest of treatments tested. Under the white colour mulches, which had the largest light reflection, we registered the cooler soil temperature, and the best weed control was observed on the single- and double-layer black truffles and double-layer white mulch.

Conclusion

The effects of double-layer white mulch on herbaceous cover, soil temperature, reflected light, and the expansion of T. melanosporum bring us closer to being able to substitute traditional tilling of truffle orchards for the less expensive mulching treatments.

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Acknowledgement

We thank Lluís Bonet and Jordi Bonet for allowing us to use their truffle orchard to carry out this study and for their help in treatment application, C.R. Fischer for helpful suggestions and English support, and the reviewers and editors that helped improve the quality of this manuscript.

Funding

This study was partially funded by the Subdirección General de Proyectos de Investigación, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación of Spain (research grant AGL2010-22354-C02-0) and by the Direcció General de Desenvolupament Rural, Departament d’Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca, Alimentació i Medi Natural, Generalitat de Catalunya.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop and Forest Sciences, School of Agrifood and Forestry Science and Engineering (ETSEA), University of Lleida-Agrotecnio Center (UdL-Agrotecnio), Avenida Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198, Lleida, Spain

    Antoni Olivera, José Antonio Bonet, Bing Liu & Carlos Colinas

  2. Forest Sciences Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), Crta. Sant Llorenç de Morunys km 2, 25280, Solsona, Spain

    José Antonio Bonet, Lorena Palacio, Bing Liu & Carlos Colinas

Authors
  1. Antoni Olivera
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  2. José Antonio Bonet
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  3. Lorena Palacio
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  4. Bing Liu
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  5. Carlos Colinas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antoni Olivera.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Ana Rincon

Contribution of the co-authors

José Antonio Bonet: writing and supervising the work

Lorena Palacio: running laboratory and field works

Bing Liu: running laboratory and field works

Carlos Colinas: coordinating the research project and writing and supervising the manuscript

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Olivera, A., Bonet, J.A., Palacio, L. et al. Weed control modifies Tuber melanosporum mycelial expansion in young oak plantations. Annals of Forest Science 71, 495–504 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-014-0360-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-014-0360-x

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