Desert Truffles: Phylogeny, Physiology, Distribution and Domestication (Soil Biology Book 38)

Desert truffles are found in every known desert, irrespective of the habitat – cool or hot, loamy or acidic, sandy or heavy soil – the only common condition seems to be a limited supply of water. In contrast to ‘true’ truffles, desert truffles have evolved over time in different families, mainly within the order Pezizales. While in some arid areas, desert truffles have been traditionally used as food, in most regions interest has only recently been increasing, and truffles are now treasured for their nutritional value, as an income source and for research. This volume gives a comprehensive overview of the phylogeny, biology, mycorrhizal association, and distribution of desert truffles, their use, biochemical and medicinal properties, as well as their domestication and cultivation. Part 1. Phylogeny : Hypogeous Desert Fungi / G. Moreno, P. Alvarado And J.l. Manjón -- Nomenclatural History And Genealogies Of Desert Truffles / G.m. Kovács And J.m. Trappe -- Cryptic And New Species / J.-j. Bordallo And A. Rodríguez ; Part 2. Conditions Favoring Mycorrhiza Formation : Soil Properties / E. Bonifacio And A. Morte -- Types Of Mycorrhizal Association / N. Roth-bejerano, A. Navarro-ródenas And A. Gutiérrez -- Pre-symbiotic Interactions Between The Desert Truffle Terfezia Boudieri And Its Host Plant Helianthemum Sessiliflorum / Y. Sitrit, N. Roth-bejerano, V. Kagan-zur And T. Turgeman -- Benefits Conferred On Plants / V. Kagan-zur, T. Turgeman, N. Roth-bejerano, A. Morte And Y. Sitrit ; Part 3. Distribution : Ecology And Distribution Of Desert Truffles In Western North America / J.m. Trappe, G.m. Kovács And N.s. Weber -- The European Desert Truffles / G. Chevalier -- Mediterranean Basin: North Africa / L. Khabar -- Asian Mediterranean Desert Truffles / V. Kagan-zur And M. Akyuz -- Non-mediterranean Asian Desert Countries / A. Ammarellou, Y. Wang, G. Nematzadeh And M. Tajick -- Ecology And Distribution Of Desert Truffles In The Kalahari Of Southern Africa / J.m. Trappe, A.w. Claridge And V. Kagan-zur -- Ecology And Distribution Of Desert Truffles In The Australian Outback / A.w. Claridge, J.m. Trappe And D.j. Paull ; Part 4. Fruit-body Attributes : The History Of Desert Truffle Use / E. Shavit -- Enzymes In Terfezia Claveryi Ascocarps / M. Pérez-gilabert, F. García-carmona And A. Morte -- Nutritional And Antioxidant Properties Of Terfezia And Picoa / M. Martínez-tomé, L. Maggi, A.m. Jiménez-monreal, M.a. Murcia And J.a. Tur Marí -- Nutritional And Antioxidant Properties Of The White Desert Truffle Tirmania Nivea (zubaidi) / A. Ameer A. Al-laith -- Preservation Of Truffles / M.a. Murcia, L. Maggi, G. Hussain, A.m. Jiménez-monreal, M. Martínez-tomé And I.m. Alruqaie -- The Medicinal Value Of Desert Truffles / E. Shavit And E. Shavit ; Part 5. Cultivation : Domestication: Preparation Of Mycorrhizal Seedlings / A. Morte And A. Andrino -- Preparation And Maintenance Of Both Man-planted And Wild Plots / M. Honrubia, A. Andrino And A. Morte. Varda Kagan-zur, Nurit Roth-bejerano, Yaron Sitrit, Asunción Morte, Editors. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Hypogeous Desert Fungi....Pages 3-20 Nomenclatural History and Genealogies of Desert Truffles....Pages 21-37 Cryptic and New Species....Pages 39-53 Front Matter....Pages 55-55 Soil Properties....Pages 57-67 Types of Mycorrhizal Association....Pages 69-80 Pre-symbiotic Interactions Between the Desert Truffle Terfezia boudieri and Its Host Plant Helianthemum sessiliflorum ....Pages 81-92 Benefits Conferred on Plants....Pages 93-104 Front Matter....Pages 105-105 Ecology and Distribution of Desert Truffles in Western North America....Pages 107-120 The European Desert Truffles....Pages 121-141 Mediterranean Basin: North Africa....Pages 143-158 Asian Mediterranean Desert Truffles....Pages 159-171 Non-Mediterranean Asian Desert Countries....Pages 173-192 Ecology and Distribution of Desert Truffles in the Kalahari of Southern Africa....Pages 193-202 Ecology and Distribution of Desert Truffles in the Australian Outback....Pages 203-214 Front Matter....Pages 215-215 The History of Desert Truffle Use....Pages 217-241 Enzymes in Terfezia claveryi Ascocarps....Pages 243-260 Nutritional and Antioxidant Properties of Terfezia and Picoa ....Pages 261-273 Nutritional and Antioxidant Properties of the White Desert Truffle Tirmania nivea (Zubaidi)....Pages 275-297 Preservation of Truffles....Pages 299-321 The Medicinal Value of Desert Truffles....Pages 323-340 Front Matter....Pages 341-341 Domestication: Preparation of Mycorrhizal Seedlings....Pages 343-365 Preparation and Maintenance of Both Man-Planted and Wild Plots....Pages 367-387 Back Matter....Pages 389-397