A New Activity in Turkey's Agricultural Forestry: Truffle Mushroom Cultivation

Forest ecosystems, which are among the important components of the natural environment, stand as one of the significant sources of life. In addition to the natural, cultural, and economic functions of forest products and services, wild foods such as fruits, mushrooms, and leaves that are obtained from forests generate significant amounts of additional food for the poor rural population. Countries have to come up with serious policies to prevent rural populations settling around forest areas from moving to urban areas and to increase their income sources. This study deals with the cultivation of truffle mushroom in Turkey and its potential. In line with the aim of the study, suggestions are made on its cultivation by calling attention to its ecology and potential. In this study,as a method, descriptive survey model has been used. In this method, existing situation on a subject is interpreted by searching. Research material consists of data obtained from the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs. ArcGIS 10.3 package was utilized in the preparation of cartographic materials. Turkey is a country in the middle belt where four seasons are experienced and different climates prevail because geographical features change at short distances. The different ecological environment Turkey incorporates increases biological diversity there. The presence of various plant and fungi species in Turkish forests is about different ecological environments. Among the forested areas spreading in Turkey, Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara, and Black Sea forests provide more suitable ecological environments for truffle species. Tuber aestivum, Tuber borchii, Tuber brumale, Tuber candidum, Terfezia arenaria, Terfezia leptoderma, Choiromyces meandriformis, and Terfezia boudieri naturally exist in Turkey. Truffle mushrooms, which naturally maintain their lives in Turkish forests and have high economic value in the world, will bring high income to forest villagers and interested producers by providing agricultural forestry activities in outdoor open areas in addition to natural areas of propagation.