Protocols for isolating and amplifying fungal DNA from ectomycorrhizae, ove
rcoming the presence of PCR inhibitors, were established to ensure a fast a
nd reliable truffle mycorrhizal identification. By using species-specific I
TS primers in multiplex PCR, morphologically very similar Tuber melanosporu
m, Tuber indicum and Tuber brumale ectomycorrhizae were identified in a sin
gle step of amplification, irrespective of their physiological stage. The m
olecular method assures a more accurate and reliable monitoring of nursery-
inoculated plants both before and after their in-field planting, than any m
orphological or ITS/ RFLP analyses so far performed. It should also prevent
frauds, already a problem, and the potential for environmental damage due
to the incorrect typing of the allochthonous species T. indicum as European
truffle species, when the identity of ectomycorrhizae is based solely on m
orphology. (C) 1999 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Publi
shed by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.