Marche, the land of well-being and quality of life focuses on truffle production

The Marche Region, through its AMAP Agency plays a decisive role, managing the Truffle Cultivation Centres of the Marche Region, which since the 1980s have been studying the region's truffle fields and forests in order to characterise them from a botanical, pedological and silvicultural point of view. The centres, located in Amandola (FM) and Sant'Angelo in Vado (PU), collaborate with universities and research institutes to study the main truffle species, experiment effective cultivation techniques and monitor growth dynamics. The centres also monitor seasonal climatic trends to adjust the harvest calendars of the different species.

The regional agency AMAP also manages two nursery facilities attached to truffle centres, specialising in the production of mycorrhized plants for planting cultivated truffle beds. This is a cultivation technique that consists of having the plant's root system attacked by non-pathogenic fungi that create a situation of symbiosis and mutual exchange with it. The peculiarity of truffle production in the Marche lies in the use of propagation material, both plant and fungal, of autochthonous origin, taken from regional sites with a high truffle vocation. Greenhouse production exceeds 10,000 plants per year.

-----------------SCHEDGE: Truffles in Le Marche----------------

The truffle is a resource for the entire Marche region, recognised as one of the world's largest producers and exporters: from north to south, from the province of Pesaro and Urbino to that of Ascoli, all types of the precious hypogean fungus can be found: the white truffle, the black prized, the bianchetto, and the black summer truffle.

The Precious White Truffle (Tuber magnatum pico) harvested in the area north of Pesaro and Urbino. The Pesaro area, where the white truffle is harvested, is considered nationally one of the best places for the collection of this tuber. In this province, there are truffle markets and also important exhibitions and events such as the Mostra del tartufo di Bianco pregiato delle Marche di Sant'Angelo in Vado, the National Truffle Fair of Acqualagna or that of Pergola, places that are also truly spectacular from a natural and cultural point of view. Its production can also be found in the South of the Region in Amandola, for example, which hosts an important event in the autumn "Diamanti a Tavola" - Fiera del Tartufo Bianco Pregiato dei Sibillini.

The Precious Black Truffle (Tuber melanosporum) is mainly found in the southernmost area in the province of Ascoli Piceno. The main towns for the black truffle harvest are Acquasanta, Roccafluvione, Montefortino and Comunanza. The importance of the prized black truffle for the mountainous territory in the Ascoli Piceno area has been recognised by the important European Collective Mark Quality Certification with geographical reference. Also the Tartufo Lands, of the Unione Montana Marca di Camerino, promote an important event every year in Pievetorina to valorise the product.

The black summer truffle also called Tuberestivus scorzone (Tuber aestivus vitt) is present throughout the region.

Finally, we also have the Tartufo bianchettoalso known as Marzuolo because of the harvest period from January to March (Tuber borchii) celebrated with the Tartufo Bianchetto Festival held every year in Fossombrone.