Stone oak seedlings (Quercus ilex), pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) and common hazelnut (Corylus avellana) are infected with the mycelium of black French truffle. Then, for several weeks, seedlings are quarantined under sterile conditions to ensure that the mycelium has taken root. The pedunculate oak grows throughout Ukraine and the black truffle mycelium on its seedlings successfully takes root. After inoculation, seedlings are planted in a nursery. The first months of the nursery must be kept in conditions of strict quarantine, the staff must strictly adhere to personal hygiene. The final establishment of mycorrhiza takes place over 12 months, until the seedlings reach a height of 20 cm. It is very important to infect with mycelium not young oak plants, but seedlings - only this way you can get a well-developed mycorrhiza on oak roots. In Australia, some farmers do not grow truffles, but only inoculate seedlings, germinate them in a nursery and, when they grow to 30 cm, sell them.

A few points are very important in choosing a place where royal mushrooms will be grown:

Soil pH should not be less than 7.5, the optimal level is 7.9;

the soil should be high in humus, calcium, well aerated, without stones; before planting, seedlings need to carry out its deep mechanical processing;

there should be no other competing mushrooms in the soil;

at the time of planting and during the first two years, weeds should not be allowed around young oaks;

relatively dry climate (the condition is more important for oaks than for truffles);

the average temperature in the summer is in the range of 16.5 - 22 ° C;

the territory should not be too relief, so as not to complicate the mechanical processing of the soil of the nursery.

Oak seedlings inoculated with mycelium of truffle are planted in the spring, when there is no threat of frost - in well-prepared and weed-free soil. In the case of truffles, general-limiting preparations with a. Glyphosate is not suitable, since even small residues in the soil can reduce the survival rate of mycelium. You can only use herbicides with AD. Ammonium glufosinat, which quickly decomposes. Planting should be carried out according to the 5x4 m scheme so that there are no more than 500 trees per hectare. In no case can not fertilize the soil before planting young trees - this can cause the death of the mycelium of truffles. When planting it is necessary to protect the root system where mycorrhiza is located. In each of the pits in which young oaks are planted, pour in some water, cover the sapling firmly with soil, and again pour plenty of water on it. Planting should be carried out at a depth of about 75 cm, which will protect the truffles from frost, pests, wind and various sprays while caring for trees. Also near each tree you need to lay a layer of mulch (radius of 40 cm). It is preferable to use the top layer of forest soil with plant residues of fallen oak leaves as mulch. Young plants are protected with a plastic film.

Truffles are ectomycorrhizal fungi, that is, mycorrhiza they form on the surface of the root system, therefore a sufficient area for the development of mycorrhiza of a single tree is 20 m2. Along with oaks, other trees can be grown, whose mycorrhiza will stimulate the development of truffle mycorrhiza. Olive trees, citrus, sequoia, flax can be used as companions for oak trees. Unacceptably close cultivation of such species as poplar, willow, chestnut, lime, spruce, fir, and pine near truffle oaks.

Trees are fed complex NPK-fertilizer. You also need to add a small amount of micronutrients - iron, magnesium, copper, zinc and boron. According to this scheme, one can also grow hazelnut inoculated with mycelium of truffles.

The main pests of the royal mushroom are rabbits and pigs. In no case should they be allowed into the territory where truffles are grown. There may still be dangerous weevils (especially if field crops were previously grown in this area) and black cockroaches. The presence of weeds can be controlled by herbicides.

The edible part of truffles is the fruiting bodies of mushrooms that contain spores. They are at a depth of 20 cm under the ground and can weigh from 500 g to 1.2 kg. Mature black French truffle - round or slightly elongated, black-brown in color with a hard shell. Sometimes fruit bodies can rot, then they lose their marketable value. Up to 15% of the crop can be placed close to the soil surface. To prevent damage to truffles, the surface of the soil, if cracks appear, should be sprinkled with sand. Indicator of the presence of truffles close to the surface are flies. Truffles can appear both in a row of trees and in between rows.

And to search for truffles usually use dogs. Dig royal mushrooms exclusively by hand - using small blades.