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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

(2/3)... chemistry and microbial communities associated with Tuber melanosporum fruition. Framed around the interactions between host plant, truffle fungus, and soil ecosystem, we explore what these findings could mean for understanding and improving...

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

(1/3) Fee webinar on our latest research, hosted by NATGA: Why do some truffle trees produce whilst others do not? This presentation explores new research conducted across North American orchards that seeks to answer this question. Using a unique paired study design we disentangle the soil...

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

If you're interested in truffle cultivation and based in the UK, this event we are running with Daylesford Organic would be a great introduction - book now for November: tinyurl.com/yc4c7fx7

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

(3/3) opportunity to connect with the international community working on edible mycorrhizal fungi and to explore innovative scientific and field‑based perspectives. Updated information on the programme, sessions and excursions is available on the website. www.iwemm12.com

iwemm12.com

International Workshop on Edible Mycorrhizal Mushrooms – Edible mycorrhizal mushrooms: forest protectors and a source of opportunities

Welcome to IWEMM12 in Teruel (Spain) We are pleased to announce the 12th International Workshop on Edible Mycorrhizal Mushrooms (IWEMM12), which will take place from 12 to 17 April 2027 in the provin...

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

(1/3) Calling all mycorrhizal friends... come and join us at the next instalment of IWEMM in Spain next year. This is an excellent conference and next-years agenda is looking really superb, I hope to see many of you there! The 12th International Workshop on Edible Mycorrhizal Mushrooms (IWEMM12)

iwemm12.com

International Workshop on Edible Mycorrhizal Mushrooms – Edible mycorrhizal mushrooms: forest protectors and a source of opportunities

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

(3/3)... The paper also has immediate new guidance for truffle growers. Thanks to R. Chang (ATC), harvesters and co-author Dr. Zahid for his superb data analysis… we are already addressing follow-on questions, so more papers are in the works… Open access link: doi.org/10.1016/j.mi...

lnkd.in

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

(2/2) ...richer, functionally different and more connected microbial communities • Truffles may actively modify their environment, constructing a niche – supporting a new perspective on how ectomycorrhizal fungi interact with their environment. The paper also has immediate new guidance for truffle

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

(1/3) 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 truffles, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 don’t? Our new paper, gives some answers… Studying 93 trees (USA), controlling for confounders (a big difference) we found: • chemically and biologically distinct soils—even when growing side by side. • Productive soils -

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

3/3 ...I think it would make a great PhD project, for example. For anyone who finds this interesting and wishes to follow-up, I’d be very happy to collaborate in various capacities. Open access link: doi.org/10.1002/bies...

doi.org

Hidden Fungal DNA Structures May Shape Sequencing Outcomes

Sequencing fungal DNA presents numerous challenges, and unexplored structural anomalies may be a contributor. Native ONT sequencing allows artefacts of disrupted pore translocation to be interrogated...

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

2/2 In this brief essay (see link) I describe these thoughts and also outline a proposed pipeline for further investigation. These ideas have been spinning around my head for some time, so it’s been good to start to articulate them. This is a topic I would love to pursue -

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

1/3 Are we missing hidden fungal DNA structures? 🧬 Those of us working in sequencing have noticed something - native fungal DNA protocols lead to high pore-blockage rates. These issues may hint at novel genome architecture. If correct, the implications could be quite broad.

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

3/3 and annual mushroom crop as they grow and mature. Suitable for a range of soil types and the UK climate - farm agroforestry, backgardens or forestry restocking. If you’d like to know more about our pioneering mycoforestry: www.PlantationSystems.com

plantationsystems.com

Mycorrhizal Systems | Worldwide Truffle Tree Plantation

Mycorrhizal Systems built the world's largest truffle research network & truffle tree plantation system. Unlock your land potential with truffle cultivation

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

2/3 🍄‍🟫 The white threads you can see are rhizomorphs - root-like structures of dense mycelium, transporting resources. The tree and fungus support each other. 🔬 We produced these trees in the lab and nursery and they are now ready for planting in the field. The trees will produce a beautiful edible

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

1/3 Taken yesterday, I had to share these beautiful images 🌳 The roots of scots pine with mycorrhizae of the saffron milk cap (Lactarius deliciosus). The swollen orange root-tips are actually the fungus forming a sheath around the root - a symbiotic structure for the exchange of resources.

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

(2/2)...mycorrhizae quantified with microscopy/PCR. It’s taken a long time to reach this point and theres much more to come - if you’d like to know more or plant a trial, just get in touch! www.PlantationSystems.com

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

(1/2)... another new mycoforestry trial site - 9 fungi and 2 tree host species. Emerging data will shape our approach to building the fungi food-forests of the future 🍄🌲 Planted by myself and University of Stirling PhD student Ruairi Hafferty - tiny 1-yr old saplings with...

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

I’ve just re-read and realised my thread isn’t too clear here… the core photos/vid are from last week but the visit with Asun was a few years ago, in southern Spain. But I’ll pass your hello on when I see her next. Hope all is well with you in NZ!

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

(5/5) A paper published last year by Dr. Sakhr Alhuthali on microbial communities associated with desert truffles: doi.org/10.3390/agro... note: the video was too large to upload, but is published on my linked-in

doi.org

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

(4/5) Prof. Asunción Morte. Asuncións work is always an inspiration! Further reading: A couple of Asuncións papers: doi.org/10.1016/j.rh... and doi.org/10.1007/978-...

doi.org

Redirecting

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

(3/5) the surface. The fruiting levels in this particular area were huge and we had to restrain ourselves from digging-up more than we needed for a little taste test Media showa our collection of canary-island truffles, but there is one extra photo from visiting desert truffle cultivation pioneer

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

(2/5) bloom at this time of year - as the truffles are forming. The truffle in the video is most likely the newly described Terfezia canariensis. Taking my kids to the desert, we found the truffles by looking for cracks in the ground which are caused by fruiting bodies growing/swelling beneath

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

(1/5) 🏜️ Desert truffle hunting in February We often see truffles associated with large host plants, but desert truffles are different - associating with small desert shrubs. It’s this difference which has always captivated me. The host plant genus, Helianthemum, are stunning plants that

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Last week at the Napa Truffle Festival...a huge joy when orchard owners you've guided produce their first truffles and even better when I'm lucky enough to be there on the day! Congrats to Mark, Maria, Steve and truffle dog Mila! 👏👏

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

The first paper from our practical mycoforestry research project is out! ...focussing on the food-forestry land-use conflict, we describe the production of young trees with mycorrhizae of the excellent edible species Imleria badia (the bay boletus). Link: fs.revistas.csic.es/index.php/fs...

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

This week: Still finding truffles in my hedge at home (Scotland). 25% of the trees now producing at year 5 (trees from Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd). Working with Ruairi Hafferty Hay, for his first PhD fieldwork... monitoring of our newly out-planted mycoforestry trees!

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

New mycoforestry paper - reviewing saffron milk caps as a large-scale food production system. Congrats to Andre Dhungana - his first PhD output - citing 230 papers and translating a wealth of literature. Full open-access paper link: www.mdpi.com/3609052 @mdpiopenaccess.bsky.social

mdpi.com

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Reposted by Prof. P W Thomas

British Mycological Society @handle.invalid · 04/11/2025

Join us at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, for our Autumn Open Meeting on 29th November. Speakers include Paul Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social - University of Stirling & Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd - expert on truffle biology, cultivation, hunting & cooking ➡️ www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/aom_2025.html

Photo of Paul Thomas (University of Stirling & Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd) in a woodland with a dog.

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Interested about the latest truffle research and cultivation? Heres a podcast episode I recently did with Ben Sweet, including discussion about potential collaborative research opportunities… youtu.be/H9QyytEIvdA

youtu.be

Climate Change and Truffles | An Interview with Prof. Paul Thomas

YouTube video by Ben Sweet

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Field work with Carmen Carmona, Flora Rendell-Bhatti and Neve Dee - first mycoforestry trial site in Scotland! The first job - soil sampling for physiochemical/biological/DNA recording before planting the trees we've grown at Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd - with grateful support from Mossy Earth

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Interested in truffle cultivation or our research? I'll be speaking at the British Mycological Society meeting at Kew Gardens (29th of November) - www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/aom_2025.html ...and the UK Truffle Festival in West Sussex (15th of November) - www.trufflefestival.co.uk Come say hi!

britmycolsoc.org.uk

Autumn Open Meeting 2025

The BMS Autumn Open Meeting is held at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. The meeting features expert speakers covering a variety of mycological topics, is free to attend and open to all.

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Spotlight on our most recent intern, Eva Fruzsina Felegyhazi (shown here with Dr. Zahid) from Eötvös Loránd University and with grateful support from @rootbenefit.bsky.social– Eva has been learning about DNA sequencing for a collaborative project. As we say in Scotland, Haste Ye Back!

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

For those of us working in mycoforestry, here is a nice opportunity from Scientific Reports and editor David Kothamasi...

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

...a busy and start to September Peter McKenna of The Gannet visited to see our reserach programme, taste regional truffles and prepared a spectacular on-board meal! We also hosted a valued fench colleague and friend Dr. Luis-Bernardo Vázquez from Mexico, to deepen mycoforestry collaboration🍄

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

...offers a low-input, resilient crop that could bring real economic opportunities to island and rural communities. With the rise of food tourism, this could just as easily support a boutique agri-tourism industry as it could offer new income for landowners www.stir.ac.uk/news/2025/se...

stir.ac.uk

Groundbreaking: first truffle cultivated on UK island | About | University of Stirling

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Reposted by Prof. P W Thomas

Susana C. Gonçalves 🍄🧪🌍👩🏻‍🔬💪💬 @cfemycolab.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Very happy to be launching a new #CitizenScience campaign within the scope of ‪@fundive-fungi.bsky.social‬. You can download, share (and cite!) the campaign' accompanying flyer published in the the open-access platform Zenodo: zenodo.org/records/1679... #FunDive #Mycology #Conservation #iNat

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

This summer, we welcomed Aswathi Gopa Kumar Nair, PhD student from Jena, Germany, to Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd. Her research on Tuber aestivum ecology and fungal interactions brings fresh insight for truffle growers. Results coming soon in open-access—stay tuned!

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

thanks Andy- there may be a good opportunity next year to run a round table on this. I'm working on a project draft and will update you if this gets accepted!

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Thanks Andy! We hadn't considered this but I will present this idea to the group- I’m hoping we can do a lot more work in this space 🤞

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

📣 New paper on food production in woodland-based systems 🌳 Drivers, benefits, barriers and enablers - transformational, not incremental, shifts are needed🌳 Led by Steffen Hirth, with fellow coauthors Matthew Paterson and Ivan Drlička. Open access link: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

sciencedirect.com

ScienceDirect.com | Science, health and medical journals, full text articles and books.ScienceDirect

ScienceDirect is the world's leading source for scientific, technical, and medical research. Explore journals, books and articles.

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Prof. P W Thomas @profpwthomas.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

...I participated in a round-table discussion on fungal protein- a nutritional perspective. This isn’t my core field, so to learn from nutrition experts was really quite fascinating. 🍄‍🟫 🔬 Just published- interesting for those of us engaged with fungi but who wish to know more: lnkd.in/dFA8pPZJ

lnkd.in

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