Abstract

This research was conducted to study the fruiting of an edible truffle Terfezia boudieriChatin in fields using mycorrhizal plants of Helianthemum sessiliflorum Desf. Pers. in two soil types (gypsy and sandy loam soils). Two cultivation methods have been tested. The first is the transplantation of inoculated plants (with T. boudieriascospores) maintained in greenhouse and the second is the seedling of inoculatedH. sessiliflorum seeds in experimental field (24 m²). The first ascocarps was detected one year after (2006) nearby transplanted plants in gypsy soil, two fruiting bodies of T. boudieri were observed in both soil types near the plants obtained by direct inoculation of H. sessiliflorum seeds in the second year (2007). Three years after (2009), the experimental field produces two ascocarps close to transplanted plants in sand loamy soil and directly seedling plants in gypsy soil.

Key words: Helianthemum sessiliflorum, arid land, desert truffle, cultivation, plantation, mycorrhization, seeds.