Why research?

From the first visit of the renowned French government scientist, the line of research on the truffle, Tuber Uncinatum, was determined. He explained the limits of the current research and plantations and what would be useful. Therefore all research findings are a first in the UK and the world. Being French and totally bilingual, information access to check my findings was easy.

I had access to land with all the history from its initial changes from agricultural land, generally a sterile environment 35 years ago. There were no truffles until my intervention and a bit of help from our passion for wild life and mine for fungi.

Some of the researched topics covered:

• The shapes and evolution of the truffle and spores through its life cycle.
  
  
• The insects that can be found in and around Tuber Uncinatum - from egg till death.
• An inventory of the total ecosystem, plant, soil, animals, insects, flowers and trees over time.
  
  
• How the ecosystem contributes to the spread of fruiting bodies- truffles.
  
  
• The changes in the soil and necessary conditions, how they are brought about.
  
  
• An initial list of friends and foes- what does not work together.
  
  
• A formula to bring and spread truffles, and maintain sites.

The findings of my research were used to design diagnostic tests to locate and manage truffle producing areas.

There are two articles now in a draft form ready for peer review:

• The reproduction cycle of a Suillia. By French Marie 2005
  
  
• Soil evolution, cherts and soil mites. By French Marie 2006
  
  

The research is documented in thousands of pictures, collections and writings, for training purposes. This unique knowledge of the ecosystem over time is also offered through consultancy. A parallel project is ongoing with the French researcher.

Current plantations prove that the tree and the fungi work in partnership and live happily ever after. Mostly the environment down to DNA dictates whether truffles, the fruiting bodies will exist.

Ecosystems vary as great deal between continents and different climate plus soil substructures and pathogens. The findings in one continent/country should be taken with caution.