Root Analysis & Mycorrhiza Monitoring

We provide clear instructions (or direct support, depending on service level) on how and where to collect representative root samples from your orchard, so the results actually reflect orchard status rather than one random tree.

Specialist technicians examine root tips under the microscope to:

• Confirm the presence of your target truffle species’ mycorrhiza.
• Estimate the level and quality of colonization (for example, proportion of colonized root tips, development stage).
• Note signs of stress or poorly developed mycorrhiza.

Where appropriate, we assess the presence and relative abundance of other ectomycorrhizal fungi on the roots, including potentially competing or contaminant species. In selected cases, DNA-based methods may be used to clarify species identity if warranted.

The raw numbers only tell part of the story. We interpret your results in the context of:

• Orchard age
• Species planted (Périgord, Burgundy, etc.)
• Climate and region
• Tree species
• Soil and irrigation context

American Truffle Company and our scientific partner Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd. have built one of the largest unified datasets of truffle cultivation sites globally, across diverse climates and soils. That allows us to translate root data into realistic expectations and practical recommendations.

You receive a concise, decision-oriented report that may address, for example:

• Whether colonization is on track for orchard age.
• If contamination is a concern, and what to do about it.
• Whether irrigation, groundcover, or nutrient management should be adjustedin light ofmycorrhiza status.

The aim is always the same: to increase the probability of strong, consistent truffle production over the life of the orchar

We start with key background: orchard location, age, species planted, management history, and any concerns (for example, slow development, inconsistent brûlé formation, unusual weather events).

We design or confirm a sampling strategy—how many trees, which zones of the orchard, and how often. For many orchards, an annual sampling of a representative subset of trees provides an excellent balance between cost and insight; in critical phases (such as years 3–7 after planting), more frequent testing can be justified.

We provide training videos on how to collect viable roots to help you collect root samples, following a defined protocol to avoid damaging mycorrhiza and to ensure enough fine root tips are available for analysis.

Samples are examined under the microscope and, where warranted, supplemented with molecular analysis to confirm species identities or quantify specific fungi.

An ATC expert will report the findings, review the results, answer questions, and discuss management implications with you. You will also receive the analysis data in a report.

With each annual analysis, you build a time series: trends in colonization, contamination, and response to management. Over time, this becomes one of the most powerful tools you have for keeping your orchard on track.