Tuber Borchii
Farming Guide

Tuber borchii is an edible truffle with excellent culinary qualities, commonly known as bianchetto (whitish truffle).

Bianchetto truffles range in size from that of a pea to an egg, and their color varies from pale yellow to reddish-brown. The peridium is smooth or finely pubescent, especially in the gaps, which sometimes leads to confusion with the Piedmont white truffle (T. magnatum).

They are typically harvested from winter to spring (January 15 to April 30 in Italy), unlike T. magnatum, which is harvested in autumn and early winter. The market price for bianchetto truffles is around 300-400 € / kg.

This truffle species is found throughout Europe, from Finland to Sicily and from Ireland to Hungary and Poland. In the Iberian Peninsula, T. borchii has been found in Andalusia, Castilla León, and Portugal.

T. borchii exhibits broad ecological adaptability. While it prefers sandy limestone soils typical of coastal areas, it also grows in natural areas where black truffles (Tuber melanosporum) are found at higher altitudes. It thrives in soils with a pH of 7 to 8 and can tolerate slightly subalkaline pH levels of 6-7, although it may occasionally be found in soils as acidic as pH 5.2.

The climate varies from cold temperate to Mediterranean, with precipitation rates ranging from 600 to 1600mm.
 
T. borchii can live associated with a wide range of host trees such as holm oaks, cork oaks, hazels, poplars, chestnuts, lindens, alders, and conifers such as pines and cedars.

Main host trees for bianchetto

host trees for Growing bianchetto or naturally gathered (by frequency)

secondary species where T. borchii can be cultivated or it has been found in the wild

Oak (Quercus pubescens)

Stone pine (Pinus pinea)

Black Pine (Pinus nigra)

Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster)

Holm oak (Quercus ilex)

Hazel (Corylus avellana)

Poplar (Populus nigra)

Oaks (Quercus cerris, Q.robur)

Hornbeam (Oystra carpinifolia)

Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis)

Cork oak (Quercus suber)

Chestnut (Castanea sativa)

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)

Conclusions

Although T. borchii is considered less valuable than T. magnatum or T. melanosporum, there are several reasons why its cultivation is worthwhile:

  1. Fast fruiting: T. borchii plantations can begin to produce truffles in as little as 4 years, particularly in pine trees.
  2. High ecological adaptability: T. borchii demonstrates a remarkable ability to adapt to various environmental conditions, making it suitable for cultivation in a wide range of regions.
  3. Low host plant specificity: T. borchii does not require a specific host plant, allowing for the cultivation of a diverse array of tree species. This versatility enhances the potential for successful cultivation across different agricultural settings.