Murdoch University joins forces to put quality truffles on the map

• Murdoch University to join forces with Silverplace Pty Ltd and Mt Lindesay in a Future Food Systems CRC project to put quality truffles on the map
• This program forms part of the University’s major commitment to enhance agricultural research and working with local companies

Truffle growth in WA is set take off as Silverplace Pty Ltd (formerly Varona Fine Foods), Mt Lindesay and Murdoch University join forces to increase the volume of new species of truffles, adding to the market value across the world. The ‘Australian truffles’ project is backed by the Future Food Systems Cooperative Research Centre (Future Food CRC).

Currently WA dominates truffle production within Australia, and while the overseas market for Australian truffles is small, with 14-18 tonnes exported in 2019, Australian truffle growers have a competitive advantage as they benefit from counter-season production to the Northern Hemisphere.

In addition to exploring the suitability of new truffle species for Australia, more research is needed to fully assess truffle cultivation techniques and their influence on Australian truffle yields. This includes tree inoculation, colonisation of the host, and persistence in the field, particularly on different host trees and in varying climatic conditions.

Adam Wilson from Silverplace Pty Ltd said it was great to see production in both WA and Australia increasing and having a competitive edge.

“To enable this growth, a WA-based truffle seedling nursery and clean lab is being developed. This will give us the capability to test truffle tree seedlings, enabling nurseries to improve seedling production methods continually and introduce practices that produce the highest quality inoculated seedlings,” said Mr Wilson.

“Further, a team of researchers is developing a regime of post-nursery testing of successfully colonised trees planted in orchards, which take around one year to prepare before planting.

This could be further exploited to increase Australia’s export market share in the future. 

Deputy Vice Chancellor and Professor Peter Davies said the truffle industry is growing rapidly in Australia and its exciting for Murdoch University to be part of this research driving commercial production on a larger scale.

“Murdoch University will help support the research needed  by providing a PhD student, as well as operating expenses needed to integrate the outputs of this project within the company’s supply chains.

Background

• In Australia, Western Australia (WA) dominates production. The main species grown is the black winter truffle (Tuber melanosporum Vitt.). The export market for Australian truffles is small but valuable, with 14-18 tonnes reported in 2019.

   

• While it is expected the Australian truffle industry will continue to develop and grow annually as farm trees mature, reliance on one species places the industry at high risk. However, other truffle species can also be grown in Australia; in particular, the white spring truffle (Tuber borchii Vitt) and black summer truffle (Tuber aestivum Vitt).

   

• Truffles are the fruiting bodies of fungi that grow in symbiosis with trees such as oaks, hazelnuts and pines. Currently, there are more than 25 species of edible truffle grown and available globally. Due to their distinctive aroma and flavour, truffles are a ‘luxury item’ that typically sell for between $600 and $2,500 per kilogram.