Truffle Lab
As the truffle industry in North Carolina (and North America, in general) is growing, there has become a need to more fully understand how to produce truffles in this region. The first step is to understand the level of persistence of the truffle on roots. As a response to the need for a testing service, we are providing a service to test roots and soil for the presence of selected species of Tuber. For any testing, please contact Inga Meadows (inga_meadows@ncsu.edu) before you sample and ship.
There are four different types of testing we can do listed below. For each testing service, fill out a truffle testing sample form.
We will not be accepting new samples between the dates of December 10th and January 20th for the holiday season.
We can test pieces of truffle for Tuber melanosporum, T. aestivum, T. brumale, T. borchii, T. canaliculatum, T. lyonii and other species upon request.
This test can be conducted at any time of year.
Cost: $250 for up to ten truffles tested ($25 per truffle after 10).
Results expected within 10 business days.
We can evaluate roots for the presence of Tuber melanosporum, T. aestivum, T. brumale, T. borchii, T. canaliculatum, T. lyonii and other species at your request.
We will evaluate the approximate colonization of Tuber species on the roots.
Cost: $130 per soil/root sample.
Results expected within 15 business days.
We can evaluate roots for the presence of Tuber melanosporum, T. aestivum, T. brumale, T. borchii, T. canaliculatum, T. lyonii, and other species at your request.
We will evaluate the approximate colonization of Tuber species on the roots and Tuber species colonization of the soil. Our soil assays include Tuber melanosporum and T. aestivum.
Cost: $130 per soil/root sample.
Results expected within 15 business days, but may be longer in Aug. or Sept.
We can test FTA cards that you have used to sample tree roots (orchard or seedling) with for the presence of Tuber melanosporum, T. aestivum, T. brumale, T. borchii, T. canaliculatum, T. lyonii, and other species at your request. This method requires you (the grower) to observe (using a microscope) and select tree root tips that you want tested for identification.
This method does not test the soil from orchards; however, soil can be sent in along with FTA cards for an additional $40 per sample. We can only test soil for Tuber melanosporum and T. aestivum.
Cost: $160 per FTA card (includes 4 samples); $40 per sample with soil.
Results expected within 10 business days.
If you plan to collect samples, please email or call Inga Meadows before you collect to ensure the timing is appropriate (inga_meadows@ncsu.edu OR 828-456-3943).
It is best to ship samples so that they arrive at the lab Mon-Fri (avoid Saturday delivery as our lab is closed on weekends). If you collect late in the week, keep your samples in the fridge until you can ship them.
Ship to:
Inga Meadows
265 Test Farm Road
Waynesville, NC 28786