Italian biologists plan to map out the DNA of the black truffle so that the precise conditions which make the fragrant delicacy grow among the roots of certain oak trees don't disappear.
Black truffles are a type of fungus that grow spontaneously underground in certain areas of France, Spain and northern Italy. A century ago they were common but nowadays their rarity has made them a prized ingredient for chefs.
Even though it is possible to farm truffles with reasonable success, the exact details of what happens on a molecular level when they grow remain shrouded in mystery.
A team of tuber experts from the national research council (CNR) is keen to unveil these mysteries by using the most recent genome sequencing techniques to delve into the fungus's DNA.
"In the last 15 years molecular biology has given new momentum to studies of the tuber," said Prof. Paola Bonfante of the CNR's Institute for the Protection of Plants.
The group, which has gathered samples from 17 black truffle sites in France, Spain and Piedmont, is to present the project to study the inner secrets of truffle growth at Turin university on Thursday.
"Only the sequencing of the tuber genome will allow us to fully understand the complex events that take place and at the same time take action to conserve and develop the sites where truffles are produced naturally," Prof. Bonfante said..
Truffles, which can fetch prices of up to 600 euros a kilo, are notoriously hard to find and most truffle hunters need pigs or specially trained dogs that can sniff them out.
