Biodiversity and bioecology of Iraqi desert truffles (Pezizaceae) during season 2014

Abstract

<p><span lang="UK">Desert truffles were a mystery to the ancient world of the Greeks and Romans but this did not prevent their culinary enjoyment and knowledge of several varieties from various locations</span>. <span lang="UK">The hypogeous ascomycetes (desert truffles) were collected and identified from Hit market western Iraq</span> with its prices and environment.<span lang="UK"> Generally, two genera were observed viz., </span><em><span lang="UK">Terfezia</span></em><span lang="UK"> sp. and </span><em><span lang="UK">Tirmania</span></em><span lang="UK"> sp. Locally, </span><em><span lang="UK">Terfezia</span></em><span lang="UK"> sp. called in Arabic “ahraq” or “jaba” while </span><em><span lang="UK">Tirmania</span></em><span lang="UK"> sp. called “zubaidi” or “sheikh” or “shiuokh”. These truffles live in mycorrhizal association with </span><em><span lang="UK">Helianthemum</span></em><span lang="UK"> sp. or without any mycorrhizal association. </span>Desert t<span lang="UK">ruffles appeared from last January to beginning of March 2014 in this Iraqi market. Its prices started from 65000 IQD/kg (around 52 USD</span>/kg<span lang="UK">) then declined when high amounts of truffles are coming into market. Two factors, rainfall and exportation, effect on </span>desert <span lang="UK">truffles prices. Some of amounts were exported to Baghdad or other places (in side), or Jordan (outside), thus that led to increase its prices, and the reverse is true. </span><em></em></p>