Current status of artificial cultivation of truffles and research progress on preparation methods of seedlings with truffle mycorrhiza

Abstract:

Truffle is a precious underground fungus famous all over the world for its unique aroma and taste and has economic, medicinal, and ecological values. Truffles form ectomycorrhiza with host plants before forming fruiting bodies (ascocarps). Considering the high economic value and the serious destruction of wild resources, artificial cultivation imitating wild truffle growth by preparation of seedlings with truffle mycorrhiza has received extensive attention. Focusing on the cultivation of seedlings with truffle mycorrhiza, we elaborated on the threats to truffle resources, the progress in artificial cultivation methods, and the rapid development of plantations. Furthermore, we summarized the research progress in the selection of symbiotic combinations, substrates, inoculants, culture methods, interaction with other organisms, and methods of identification. This review will provide a reference for developing the methods for cultivating seedlings with mycorrhiza and promoting artificial cultivation of mycorrhizal edible fungi.

Key words:truffles;mycorrhizal formation;symbiosis;substrate