Desert truffle production explained

Biologists Celeste Santos e Silva and Rogério Louro of the University of Évora in Portugal present their work towards achieving mycorrhizal association of desert truffles with perennial plants (rock roses), which would allow their mass production for various sectors such as food, medicine and soil recovery.

This new form of production, Celeste Santos e Silva says, “will make it possible to create more jobs, reversing the current trend towards desertification in rural areas, while being a great tool for ecosystem recovery and restoration”. The fungi are hard to find in the wild, which is why it would make a big difference - including financially - for local communities if they figure out a way to grow truffles themselves.