Ecological characters of truffles

Abstract

We undertook an overview of the physical and chemical quality of soil characteristics, features of morphology, distribution and mycorrhizal relationships of Tuberaceae in China. The topsoil is found to be limestone region, abundant organic matter and the soil type is determined to be sand-clay-slimy. Various characteristics are recorded including ascocarp features (hypogenous, like tubers) and color (peridium, glebe red tones, brown), time of appearance (October to April), host (Pinus, Rhododendron polifolium, Eragrostis piosa), habitat (basic soil, sand-clay-slimy, and semi-arid zone), fresh weight (8-150 g) and ascospore morphology (3-5 warty spherics, medium size). The relationship between truffle growth and weather, soil, vegetation are particularly elaborated. A general overview of the characteristic of many ecosystem factors of region is described, especially where truffles grow. In conclusion, the habitats of tuberaceae should be protected by turning those fields into natural protected areas. © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014.