Sustainable production of ectomycorrhizal fungi in the Mediterranean region to support the European Green Deal

Abstract

Societal Impact StatementThe planet faces a climate crisis with severe health, economic and environmental consequences. Political actions such as the European Green Deal aim to mitigate climate change by shifting production and consumption patterns, and the production of mycorrhizal sporocarps—the fruiting body of fungi—is no exception. The production of mycorrhizal sporocarps has a high economic, cultural and environmental impact in the Mediterranean region. With a key role in forest ecosystems, ectomycorrhizal fungi provide services and goods essential to maintain soil quality, ecosystem functions and food, contributing to the achievement of sustainable production and the European Green Deal goals—a climate‐neutral Europe.SummaryEctomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) cultivation is an important economic activity in the Mediterranean region. Sporocarps from ECMF species such as Terfezia claveryi, Tuber melanosporum, Tuber aestivum and Lactarius delicious have been successfully cultivated. Due to biotechnological advances, a considerable evolution in ECMF cultivation techniques was observed in the last decade. New technologies and intensified Research and Development allow for a better understanding of the physiology of the plant‐fungi symbioses and how climate change affects them. Studying forest management practices is also essential to optimise the natural production of ectomycorrhizal sporocarps and help develop sustainable production practices. This knowledge revealed the importance of ECMF and their role in the rural bioeconomy and highlighted the need to establish sustainable cultivation practices. A successful example of ECMF cultivation is the production of Terfezia species, namely, Terfezia claveryi and Terfezia boudieri. Terfezia truffles are traditional delicacies with high socioeconomic relevance and numerous biotechnological applications. Furthermore, these Mediterranean native species are an important tool to develop the bioeconomy in rural areas by creating new production strategies. Furthermore, exploiting these and other native Mediterranean species can promote sustainable practices in line with new European Green Deal strategies, such as the Farm to Fork strategy, the EU Biodiversity strategy for 2030 and the Climate Law. This work reviews ECMF cultivation practices and forest management studies, presenting the case of Terfezia cultivation and how the sustainable production of wild and planted ECMF may contribute to achieving the European Green Deal objectives and to a more resilient Europe.