Mycorrhizal association of Terfezia claveryi with several Cistaceae plant species

Desert truffles are hypogeous edible fungi from the Ascomycetes group that grow in arid and semi-arid areas of the Mediterranean region, including Iran. In addition to the economic role, they also play an important role in preserving and maintaining the ecosystem of rangelands from an ecological point of view by preventing erosion and desertification. In this study, the mycorrhizal association between the Terfezia claveryi Chatin (Cistaceae) with the perennial plant species Cistus ladanifer, C. laurifolius, Helianthemum lippii, and H. almeriense was investigated. The results of this study showed the mycorrhizal association as ect-endo mycorrhization with varying degrees of sheath development among the four investigated plant species. Mycorrhization rate and the relative mycorrhizal dependency (RMD) for T. claveryi/H. lippii combination was 87% and 48.18%, followed H. almeriense with mycorrhization rate and relative mycorrhizal dependency 80% and 17.92%, respectively. Growth parameters of the inoculated plants including plant height and weight, root height and weight, and shoot height and weight were statistically significant compared to control plants. The mycorrhizal relationship of T. claveryi with inoculated plant species was confirmed using Nested-polymerase chain reaction and specific primer pairs designed for this species from the sequence of the internal transcribed space regions.