Cultivation of Tuber formosanum on limed soil in Taiwan

Tuber formosanum is a truffle species that is endemic to Taiwan. It is similar to T. melanosporum and may have potential for trade in international truffle markets. Naturally the species is found only in calcareous soils. The results of this study showed that liming can facilitate the cultivation of T. formosanum in naturally acidic soils to which 8333 kg/ha CaCO 3 .MgCO 3 had been added to raise soil pH from 4.5 to 7.0. Mycorrhizas of T. formosanum were present on 45% of the root tips of 4-year-old Cyclobalanopsis glauca (Fagaceae) seedlings 2 years after planting. The first ascocarps were found in the eighth year after planting. Brules were discernible around the trees where the ascocarps were found. Soil pH, total nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur, and available nutrients were highly variable in man-made T. formosanum truffieres which suggests that T. formosanum could be grown in a wide range of soils.