[Pil-pc-oceania] Permaculture of the Arabian Desert

[Robyn Williamson]

Hi Christoff

My theory is that the mushroom/fungus is acting in a symbiotic  
relationship with the roots of the trees whereby the fungal hyphae  
(equivalent to "roots") provide moisture to the tree roots in  
exchange for food, maybe in the form of nitrogen if the trees are  
legumes.  Also maybe carbon because the mushrooms are not green and  
organic nitrogen is usually green like in leaves.  Organic nitrogen  
growing underground (ie in the absence of light) like the nodules on  
the roots of legumes is usually pinkish.  Organic carbon is usually  
whitish or pale yellowish/brownish like dried leaves (after the  
nitrogen has evaporated) or dried stems of annual plants, or mushrooms!

The fungal hyphae take water from the soil and/or mulch, filtering  
out the salt in the process (therefore the salt becomes inert) and  
supplies moisture to the tree roots in exchange for the energy/ 
nutrients required to produce its fruiting body which is the above- 
ground part of the fungus/mushroom.  I believe fungal hyphae are the  
only organism in the soil flora and fauna that can break down  
lignin.  You get miles of them growing in moist mulch and showing up  
as long white strings.

This phenomenon is quite common in Australian plants because of our  
so-called "impoverished" and leached ancient soils.  However I notice  
that my oak tree too often gets fungal fruiting bodies sprouting out  
of the ground under the tree after rain.  They look good enough to  
eat but I haven't dared try them yet.  They look something like  
normal big mushrooms, up to 100mm or 4" across the top, but a pale  
pinkish brownish colour underneath, would anybody know what they  
might be?

Robyn W


On 29/02/2008, at 8:59 PM, Christoph Redwitz wrote:

>
> There is one very intersting thing in that video (ok, the hole project
> is impressing ;)). He said, that the salts became inert. how does that
> work? actually a cant imagine how. But it is great!
> Christoph
>
> Nick Ritar schrieb:
>> I'd have to recommend Geoff & Nadia Lawton, not only are they highly
>> experienced in the desert environment they have had quite a bit of
>> direct experience in the middle east, especially in Jordan. They are
>> also Muslim and Nadia speaks fluent arabic.
>>
>> Here is a link to a project they did some time back
>> http://www.milkwoodpermaculture.com.au/greening-the-desert.html
>>
>> They run the Permaculture Research Institue in Northern NSW their
>> website is http://permaculture.org.au
>> Phone: 61 (0)2-66886578, mobile 61 (0) 427862902
>> email: geoff at permaculture.org.au  
>> <mailto:geoff at permaculture.org.au> or
>> nadia at permaculture.org.au <mailto:nadia at permaculture.org.au>
>>
>> They are very busy people and can be a little hard to get hold of at
>> times... persistence will be rewarded.
>>
>>
>> Cheers
>> Nick
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 4:58 PM, <stevehart at maxnet.co.nz
>> <mailto:stevehart at maxnet.co.nz>> wrote:
>>
>>     Permaculture of the Arabian Desert....I had a good meeting  
>> with the
>>     Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture on tuesday 27th I
>>     would like
>>     to consider the opportunity to offer a full Permaculture  
>> Design course
>>     here in United Arab emirates. Is there any teachers with  
>> specific and
>>     highly skilled experience in such desert environs that I can  
>> call on
>>     ....Steve Hart

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