INOCULATION WITH DESERT TRUFFES INCREASES GROWTH OF THE FOREST SEEDLINGS QUERCUS ILEX L. AND PINUS HALEPENSIS M.DIB S. AND FORTAS Z.Abstract This study focuses on the mycorrhizal potency of two desert truffle (terfez) species, Terfezia leptoderma Tulasne and Tirmania pinoyi Maire Malençon on the growth of two forest seedlings species, Quercus ilex L. and Pinus halepensis M. After more than 14 months, plants respond positively to inoculation by both species of desert truffle compared with controls. The RMDI is higher in Pinus halepensis mycorrhized by the two species of terfez than in Quercus ilex. The plants of Q. ilex and P. halepensis, mycorrhized in the greenhouse by terfez, show a morphological diversity of ectomycorrhizae. In Q.ilex, the two terfez species form a Hartig network with or without a loose mantle, depending on the terfez species. In P.halepensis, Terfezia leptoderma and Tirmania pinoyi form ectomycorrhizae with a thin mantle and a Hartig network. |