Introduction

Tuber magnatum, better known as "white truffle" is a fruiting body that belongs to the genus group Tuber. This fungi is one of few fungi's that are edible to eat. Not only is it valuable for fungi's, it is in high esteem in the culinary world. This blog will provide information about this fungi in areas such as habitat, reproduction, structure and function, adaptation, nutrition, and so on.

Close up of Tuber magnatum.
http://www.cimolino.fr/fichiers_site/a1233cim/contenu_pages/Tartufo%20bianco.jpg

Life Cycle and Reproduction

White truffle, Tuber magnatum, takes a whole year to grow enough that its edible to eat. White truffle harvesters start in January and end at December. In the diagram below you see that starting from January up until March the truffle is growing. After March, the truffle begins to mature and ripen all the way to July. In August through November, the fungi present in the roots of the trees produce gametes which fertilize to give Vegetative hyphae (haploid), which absorbs the nutrients from the environment supporting new hyphae’s, and Ascogenous hyphae (diploid). These hyphae’s produce spores that are absorbed into the soil to produce new fungi’s. In December the fungi is created.

  

Life Cycle of Tuber magnatum year round.
http://www.trufflesaustralis.com.au/pages/about-truffles/truffles-life-cycle.php

Movement/Dispersal

Normally fungi propagate through formation of spores which are released out into the environment. However, the Tuber magnatum fungi grow underground so they depend on the digging animals for their movement. They depend on burrowing animals, such as a beaver, to dig up the soil and eat them. After the spores are inside the animals gut the animals would “excrete” the spores and would be released out in the environment. Now that it is out in the environment it would be enabled to have a symbiotic relationship with a new tree and so that would permit the spores to grow.

Structure and Function

Structure

Tuber magnatum has irregular shape, it is known to be blobs or patches. Abnormally, they're times when the truffle comes in a more or less spherical shape than any other shape. In the picture below the truffle looks similar to a potato. After the soil is washed off, the truffle comes in a light, creamy brown colour.

Tuber magnatum, "white truffle".
http://www.healthy-life.narod.ru/mush-e19.htm

Function

This fungi has a symbiotic relationship with  specific trees. The fungus grows into the roots and that helps the plant that the rots belong to tolerate the environment, by providing the plant with the ability to intensify absorption of phosphorus from the soil surrounding it. In return, the plant gives the fungus nutrients such as metabolites so that it can grow.

Relationship with humans

Tuber magnatum has a symbiotic relationship with plants. The fungus grows into the roots and assists the plant to tolerate the environment, the fungus absorbs the phosphorus from the soil.  Tuber magnatum is  a species of truffles, truffles are one of the few fungi that are edible. Because the fungi is edible, humans are able to consume this fungi that contains phosphorus. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient that helps proper cell functioning, contains calcium, strengthens bones and teeth’s. For humans this fungi is a highly prized food in the culinary world. This fungi is one of few fungi's that are edible to eat. Tuber magnatum is in high demand in Middle Eastern, French, Spanish, northern Italian and Greek for cooking.

Pasta with white truffles on top.
http://www.womguide.com/hot-features/other-features/white-truffle

Nutrition

Tuber magnatum is considered to be really healthy for humans. This fungi is filled with nutrients such as proteins  and full of amino acids. It gets the nutrients from the symbiotic relationship it has with specific trees. Because the fungi helps the plant ( in this case a tree) to tolerate with the environment, in return the plant gives the fungi nutrients. This fungi is rich with nutrients and aromas, white truffle is known for its full flavoured aroma, n the picture below you can see the human smelling the truffle.

Human smelling the white truffle.
http://www.where-to-go-in-italy.com/white-truffles.html

Habitat

Tuber magnatum is mostly found in wood areas and also sparse vegetation areas. It has a symbiotic relationship with specific trees such as, hazelnut, willow, hop hornbeam, Italian alder, poplars, aspen, and oaks. But it is mostly common to be found near willow and poplar trees. The fungi is found under the soil at the root of the tree. It is found in ares in northern Italy and in the Motovan Forest on the Istria Peninsula in Croatia, they call it the "white truffle territory".

Poplar tree
http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/trees/tn_tulip_poplar.htm

Adaptation

Even though Tuber magnatum is a fruiting body that is grown underground, it still needs to adapt to the environment. In this case, this fungi is said to an adaptation to forest fires, and/or dry or frosty periods. This fungi throughout its existence has adapted so that it can survive through either forest fires, and or dry or cold periods.

Taxonomy

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Fungi

Phylum: Ascomycata

Class: Pezizoycotina

Order: Pezizales

Family: Tuberaceae

Genus: Tuber

Scientific name: Tuber magnatum