Morphological characterization of mycorrhizae formed between three Terfezia species (desert truffles) and several Cistaceae and Aleppo pine

Abstract

Six Cistaceae species, Helianthemum ledifolium, Helianthemum lippii, Fumana procumbens, Cistus albidus, Cistus incanus, Cistus salvifolius, and Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) were inoculated with three mycorrhizal desert truffles, Terfezia leptoderma, Terfezia boudieri, and Terfezia claveryi under greenhouse conditions, on soil originating from desert truffle natural habitat in Algeria. The syntheses have led to the formation of typical endomycorrhizae in annual Cistaceae (H. ledifolium) and perennial ones (H. lippii and F. procumbens) and an ectomycorrhiza with a less developed sheath in Cistus species and Aleppo pine. These results demonstrate the plasticity of Terfezia species to form different mycorrhizal types. The formation of an endomycorrhiza with H. ledifolium and F. procumbens and a sheathing ectomycorrhiza with P. halepensis inoculated by T. leptoderma in in vivo culture conditions was obtained for the first time.

Desert truffles from northeastern Algerian coasal dunes: Ecology, identification and symbiosis

“…In Algeria, they are mentioned in the arid and semi-arid zones [10,11]. However, very few references mention that desert truffles occur in areas with Mediterranean climate and a wide range of soil properties [28b].…”

“…In Algeria, greater attention has been focused on Southern and Western sands [10,11] no studies are as yet, however, available on the northeastern sands of the country. Therefore, the current article is the first to review knowledge on ecology, symbiosis and diversity of desert truffles of those coastal dunes, where collection and sale provides a seasonal trade that creates a local truffle market under development.…”

Cistaceae from Iberian Southeastern with interest by its mycorrhizal symbiosis with hypogeous fungi

“…la especie más mencionada en este tipo de ambientes, e incluso relacionándose con otras especies arbóreas, como Pinus L. y Quercus L. (Díez et al 2002); sin embargo, es muy probable que la mayoría de las referencias relativas a la simbiosis de Cistus con Terfezia, no hayan sido contrastadas y en realidad, correspondan a simbiosis con especies de Tuberaria o Helianthemum anuales, abundantes en los prados terofíticos entre los jarales. No obstante, son conocidos los ensayos sobre micorrización en condiciones controladas de turmas con distintos Cistus (Alsheikh 1994, Zaretsky et al 2006, Zitouni-Haouar et al 2014.…”

“…Esta especie y He. ledifolium han sido consideradas para ensayos de micorrización con Terfezia (Awameh 1981, Alsheikh 1984, Dexheimer et al 1985, Zitouni-Haouar et al 2014. En la península ibérica ha sido mencionado como simbionte de P. lefebvrei, Te.…”

Genetic diversity of the genus Terfezia (Pezizaceae, Pezizales): New species and new record from North Africa

“…However, some species are often harvested under oaks and pine trees (Alsheikh 1994, Díez et al 2002, Chevalier 2014. The species of Terfezia are exceptional in terms of mycorrhizae structural plasticity, as they are able to produce sheeting ectomycorrhizae, endomycorrhizae or even ectendomycorrhizae with Cistaceae hosts and Aleppo pine (Fortas & Chevalier 1992, Zitouni-Haouar et al 2014.…”