Australian Truffle Program of Research

Summary

The Australian Truffle Program of Research (AUSTRUF) is led by University of Melbourne and will be jointly delivered by a consortium of research and industry partners. The AUSTRUF consists of four themes and is co-designed by the Australian Truffle Industry Association (ATIA), researchers and industry partners to make Australian truffle synonymous with superior quality and to position Australian truffle industry for a sustainable growth.

Theme 1 aims to improve the operation of Australian truffle farms by providing growers with tools to enhance productivity, profitability and sustainability. This theme will provide valuable information on the relative impact of different farming practices on cost of production and therefore business viability. Project 1.1 will assess how current farm management impacts production and cost efficiency on Australian truffle farms and produce a management intervention framework to guide investment in best practice Truffle production. Project 1.2 will develop, implement and validate management interventions to improve truffle farm productivity and longevity.

Theme 2 develops strategies to ensure the sustainability and growth of the Australian truffle industry in the face of advancing environmental change and demands on meeting regulatory and market requirements concerning environmental impacts/benefits. Project 2.1 will understand truffle phenology in relation to environmental stress factors that impact truffle birth and development, both directly and indirectly via the host; Project 2.2 will use this new knowledge to predict how truffle production is likely to be impacted by climate change in current and future truffle growing regions; Project 2.3 with theme 1, will evaluate planting and management practices that could lead to enhanced resilience and guide adaptation strategies for climate extremes; and Project 2.4 will develop and apply a framework, based on Life Cycle Analysis, to quantify environmental impacts and benefits associated with the Australian truffle industry.

Theme 3 aims to strengthen the Australian truffle industry’s biosecurity preparedness and improve industry-wide data management. Project 3.1 will develop a revised Biosecurity Plan for the Australian Truffle Industry (Version 2.0) along with factsheets for high priority pests, equipping growers with essential information required for early detection. Project 3.2 will elucidate the biotic and abiotic causes of truffle rot across different regions and provide recommendations for improved management while equipping the industry with diagnostic tools for early and reliable detection in the soil. Project 3.3 will develop a benchmarking survey and stakeholder engagement process in collaboration with all other themes and in consultation with the Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) to collate industry data (e.g. biosecurity, geolocation, profitability, environment and production). It will also create an online platform for collection, management, and analysis of the benchmarking data. Project 3.4 will provide an updated map of the Australian truffières through the Australian Tree Crop Dashboard hosted at UNE.

Theme 4 focuses on enhancing the marketability, and commercial potential of Australian truffles through research on consumer insights, fresh truffle preservation, and value-added product development. By integrating scientific advancements with market-driven strategies, this theme will support long-term industry growth and international competitiveness. Project 4.1 will conduct market research to understand consumer preferences, purchasing behaviours, and brand positioning to provide critical insights to industry. Project 4.2 will develop postharvest treatment protocol, integrated with preservation methods to maximise the shelf-life of fresh truffle. The project will explore the potential of technology for extraction of volatile (aroma), phenolics, and polysaccharides from lower grade truffles to maximise the use of truffle beyond peak harvest season. Project 4.3 will develop microencapsulation technologies to stabilise and retain truffle aroma and bioactive compounds, ensuring prolonged usability and controlled release in food applications. This project will enhance the functionality of truffle-derived ingredients, creating new opportunities for product diversification.

Program

New and Emerging Industries

Research Organisation

The University of Melbourne

Objective Summary

The AUSTRUF aims to grow the emerging truffle industry in a sustainable manner that encourages new producers and existing truffle growers to expand production and benefit from greater product yields, quality and profitability.

Theme 1 Objective: Develop best practices for truffle cultivation to improve farm management and productivity.
Theme 2 Objective: Develop strategies to ensure the sustainability and growth of the Australian truffle industry in the face of advancing environmental change and demands on meeting regulatory and market requirements concerning environmental impacts/benefits.
Theme 3 Objective: Strengthen the industry’s resilience to biosecurity threats and improve sector-wide data management.
Theme 4 Objective: Strengthen Australian grown truffles status of superior quality, with the opportunity for new markets through product diversification.

Theme 1:

Project 1.1: Assess how current and variable farm management impacts production and cost efficiency on Australian truffle farms. Produce a management intervention framework to guide investment in best practice Truffle production . (Aligns with RD&E Plan-Goal 1: Improve Grower operations).
Project 1.2: Develop, implement and validate management interventions to improve farm efficiency, productivity and longevity (Aligns with RD&E Plan-Goal 1: Improve Grower operations)

Theme 2:

Project 2.1 – Understand the environmental factors that affect truffle birth, development and yield (e.g., water stress, drought tolerance) (Aligns with RD&E Plan-Goal 1: Improve Grower operations)
Project 2.2 – Predict impacts to truffle production under expected future climate conditions expected for Australian truffle producing regions (Aligns with RD&E Plan-Goal 1: Improve Grower operations)
Project 2.3 – Assess planting and management practices for their ability to enhance resilience under climate extremes (Aligns with RD&E Plan-Goal 1: Improve Grower operations)
Project 2.4 – Develop a framework for Life Cycle Analysis that increases confidence that the Australian truffle industry is meeting regulatory and customer expectations for environmental impacts and benefits (Aligns with RD&E Plan-Goal 1: Improve Grower operations)

Theme 3:

Project 3.1: Develop a revised Biosecurity Plan for the Australian Truffle Industry and a five-year Biosecurity Action Plan. (Aligns with RD&E Plan-Goal 1: Improve Grower operations, Biosecurity initiative, Progress biosecurity preparedness)
Project 3.2: Provide the industry with enhanced knowledge of the causes of truffle rot across regions and recommendations for management as well as diagnostic tools for early and accurate detection. (Aligns with RD&E Plan-Goal 1: Improve Grower operations, Biosecurity initiative, Develop Diagnostic protocols for truffle industry on-farm biosecurity. RD&E Plan-Goal 2: Truffle culture and orchard management: Facilitate the development and promotion of best practice for production to assist growers in improving farm productivity)
Project 3.3: Develop a benchmarking survey and an online database to facilitate industry-wide data management and benchmarking. (Aligns with RD&E Plan-Goal 1: Improve Grower operations, Quality control initiative: Support the development of an industry product traceability and provenance program. Also aligns with RD&E Plan-Goal 2: Grow the market, Benchmark the industry)

Theme 4:

Project 4.1: Understand consumer preferences, purchasing behaviours, and willingness to pay to identify targeted market segments and strategies to increase market competitiveness. Aligns with RD&E Plan-Goal 2: Grow the market, Benchmark the industry.
Project 4.2 and 4.3: Develop postharvest technologies to extend shelf life, ensure consistent quality and preserve sensory value of fresh truffles. Aligns with RD&E Plan-Goal 2: Grow the market, Benchmark the industry.
Project 4.2 and 4.3: Develop value-added truffle products through innovative processing technologies (encapsulation) to transform truffles into diverse, long-life products that address seasonal supply fluctuations and create new market opportunities. Aligns with RD&E Plan-Goal 2: Grow the market, Benchmark the industry.
Project 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3: To strengthen the resilience and market positioning of the Australian truffle industry by fostering stakeholder engagement and translating research into practical applications. This includes promoting consumer education, facilitating market activation, and supporting the commercialisation of truffle products. (Project 4.1, 4.2, 4.3)