Abstract
We characterized the soil properties of black truffle (Tuber himalayense) and white truffle (T. japonicum) growth sites in Japan, necessary for establishing artificial cultivation techniques. At five T. himalayense and four T. japonicum sites, we collected surface soils (0–5 and 0–15 cm depths) at five points from adjacent plots with or without ascocarps. We evaluated soil chemical properties, soil texture, and soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen. Soil chemical properties and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen at 0–5 cm did not differ between plots with and without ascocarps. Soil textures were diverse among sites for each Tuber species, and similar to those reported for other Asian and European Tuber species. In T. himalayense sites, there were no significant differences between plots with and without ascocarps in soil chemical properties at 0–15 cm. However, in T. japonicum sites, exchangeable calcium and the sum of exchangeable cations at 0–15 cm were significantly lower in plots with ascocarps than in plots without ascocarps. T. japonicum may be adapted to more acidic soil (pH 5–6) with poor nutrient concentrations. T. himalayense habitats are characterized by weakly acidic to alkaline soils (pH 6–8) with a relatively high base saturation ratio.
