Consideration on the hazel species cultivation potential in order to obtain truffles in the Moldova area

Abstract

Truffle plantation are traditional crops in countries such as France, Italy and Spain, but also have started to be considered as potential sources of revenue in our country, with the specification that there is a limited dendrological assortment for obtaining the truffles, composed of nut trees, oak, hornbeam, lime and beech species. The survey, conducted at the Livezi County Forest from Bacau, has demonstrated the fact that none of the species listed above can provide the two advantages of the setting up of a hazel culture (Corylus avellana var. Tonda gentile romana), namely: earlier production entry, in average with 5-6 years, compared to the tree species and the obtaining of the two main productions (truffles and hazelnuts). Mycorrhized hazel plants have proven that they can produce truffles from the age of 6÷7 years, depending on the edaphic and climatic factors. Hazelnuts production starts in the 4th year when the amount is estimated to be 2÷3 kg/ plant, about 1÷2 tons/ha, but after the plants reach maturity, production of hazelnuts can increase to 10÷15 kg/plant, which means a quantity of approximately 7-10 tonnes of nuts/ha. Truffle production begins in the 8th year and is estimated at an average amount of 50 kg/ha. The investment return can be achieved in the seventh year culture and the cumulative net profit from the exploitation of the hazel truffle plantation, over a period of 13 years, exceeds 920.000 lei.