Truffle Production/ Non Production Survey 2013

Introduction.

To analyse the differences that might influence truffle production (or lack of production) we need to determine if there are factors that are common to either lack of production or production. So bear with us while we try to find reasonable calibrated data. Please assist and try and answer this survey as best and honestly as you can.

Whilst it is easier to deal with known people we don’t need to know your name or truffiere. If you want to remain anonymous please use a code name.

Are there areas on your truffiere that are sufficiently different in terms of truffle production to treat them differently in this survey. If so, divide your truffiere into more than one site and answer questions for each site. ( Site A, Site B. etc).

A key to this survey is to look at production relative to the number of trees planted. For this reason I have introduced a new indicator of production. It is Kgs (to one decimal place) of truffle harvested for the season per 100 trees planted. Please make you calculation and use it below.

It isn’t known whether this exercise will give us the answers we want, but it may be a good starting point for expert discussion.

PLEASE RETURN TO COL ROBERTS AT ASAP, before the end of July

TRUFFIERE NAME or CODE NAME: ……………………………………………………………………………………………

Q1 / Truffle production SITE A / unit / 2010 / 2011 / 2012
Age of trees / Yrs
Gross production (including rot and defect) / 0.0kg/100 trees planted
Percentage of trees producing truffle / %
Age of tree when first truffle found / Yrs
Truffle production SITE B
Age of trees / Yrs
Gross Production (including rot and defect) / 0.0Kg/100 trees planted
Percentage of trees producing / %
Age of tree when first truffle found / Yrs
Q2 / Truffiere Site Characteristics / Unit / Site A / Site B
Predominant Aspect / (N, S, E, W,)
Depth of the A Horizon* (the dark soil/humus layer on top) / mm
B Horizon* Soil type (granite, shale, sand, loam, clay) / G;Sh;S;L;C:
Altitude asl. ( > 1000m; 500-1000m;<500m.) / category
Inherent site quality ( poor/med/good)
Height of mature native tree species is a good indicator of site quality / P; M; G:
Natural soil PH / Number
Latitude ( degrees and minutes) / 00/mm
Annual rainfall in mm / mm

* Lowes Mount has 150-200mm of chocolate brown loamy clay A Horizon, over a B Horizon of red clay.

Q3 / Truffiere Site History / Unit / Site A / Site B
Previous species.(Native grasses; improved pasture; crop or orchard) / N; I; C:
Previous P fertilizer (regularly; occasionally; never) / R; O; N:
Previous weedicide or fungicide treatments (Weedicide; Fungicide; None) / W; F; N:
Q4 / Truffiere Site Preparation / Unit / Site A / Site B
Initial weedicide of grass/pasture / Y/N
Burn dead grass? / Y/N
Deep rip truffiere / Y/N
Lime
How much
When (months before planting) / Y/N
T /Ha
Mths
Cultivate in lime / Y/N
PH after Application / number
Q5 / Planting / Unit / Site A / Site B
Source of infected seedlings
PTT; Truffles Australis; Al Blakers; Colin Carter; Self /other / PTT; TA; AB; CC; S
Month and year of purchase / Mm/yy
Month and year of planting / Mm/yy
Spacing of trees) / (mxm
Dry or moist at planting / (D/M)
Tree guards / Y/N
Weed Matt / Y/N
Fertilizer at planting
If yes, what
How much per tree / Y/N
Name
gms/tree
Survival after six months (live trees/100) / %
Weed control in first spring after planting
If yes, what?
When? / Y/N
Name
Mm/yy
Q6 / Maintenance / Unit / Site A / Site B
Do you undertake weed control around trees
If yes, what chemical?
Applications per year / Y/N
Name
Number
Fertilizer
If yes. What?
How much/tree? / Y/N
Name
gms or lit/ tree
Additional Lime
If yes, when?
How much? / Y/N
Age
t/ha
Other additions (Mulch other) / Y/N
If yes, what?
Do you irrigate in dry times?
Please expand in comments below what rules of thumb you use to initiate irrigation and how much you apply. / Y/N
Do you cultivate the truffle zone
If yes, How deep?
When?
Where? / Y/N
Do you mow the inter row area?
If yes, Mulch swept onto tree row?
Mulch left in inter row area / Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Do you prune off lower branches?
If yes, when
And Why? (In 5 words or less)
Do you prune upper branches
Why? (in five words or less) / Y/N
Y/N
Q 7 / Miscellaneous
Does the truffiere soil have earth worms / Y/N
Does the truffiere produce mushrooms / Y/N
Does the truffiere produce puffballs (scleroderma) / Y/N
Do you grow your own veges, seedlings or plants / Y/N
Have you daily access to your truffiere / Y/N
What are your background skills?
(Forestry/Horticulture; Science based; Arts based; Trade based) / F;S;A;T.

Comments: Please use space this to explain how you manage your irrigation.

Also, anything extra you think might be relevant to this survey