Sunday, March 14

12:30 h.
“The aroma of truffles: the real treasure. How to preserve and use them after harvest.”
Dr. Eva Guillamon , E uropean Mycological Institute (EMI)
Dra. Laura Mateo-Vivaracho, E uropean Mycological Institute (EMI)

Language: Spanish

In recent years, questions such as: what is the shelf life of fresh truffles? Why is it so difficult to preserve its aroma? What options do we have today to preserve the truffle in the best possible way? Can the aroma of Tuber melanosporum be reproduced? From a strictly scientific point of view, we are working on finding answers; For this, the aromatic profile of the truffle is being studied, one of the most ephemeral and complicated to preserve. In this presentation, a summary of the results obtained in this regard is offered.

17:00 h.
“Towards a more sustainable truffle sector in a warmer and drier future.”
Ph.D. Ulf Büntgen, Professor of Environmental Systems Analysis Department of Geography, University of Cambridge

Language: English

Farming of the Périgord truffle (Tuber melanosporum Vitt.) has expanded rapidly during the past decades. With several million km2 of suitable truffle terrain across seven key regions in the Americas, southern Europe, South Africa, and Australasia, the emerging truffle sector generates hundreds of millions of Euros annually. Enhanced cultivation techniques and an ever-growing number of plantations since the mid 2000s not only trigger economic benefits for rural areas, but also increase biodiversity and environmental awareness. Under current and projected climate change, the truffle sector, however, also requires advanced irrigation systems to reduce the risk of drought-induced fluctuations in their annual winter harvests. Understanding the direct and indirect effects of a warmer and drier world on local farmers and international enterprises is fundamental to refine adaptation strategies and decision-making at relevant ecological, socio-political and economic scales. In addition to the threat of anthropogenic climate change, I will also discuss the impact of the current coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), which hits the truffle sector at an unprecedented rate. Finally, I will synthesise the available evidence and outline its relevance for truffle farmers and businesses to adapt their irrigation systems and management strategies to a warmer and drier future.