Challenge Australia’s truffle industry is currently dependent on a single species with a narrow three-month harvesting window, creating seasonal supply limitations and increasing vulnerability to climatic, biological, and market-related risks. This reliance also restricts opportunities for expansion and innovation in cultivation practices and regional adaptation.
Solution This project seeks to introduce and evaluate two new truffle species for Australian conditions. The study will focus on inoculation and cultivation methods, environmental variables such as climate, growing medium, and water use, and will trial different host tree species, including various Pinus species. Site-specific trials on Western Australian truffle farms will assess how these species perform across diverse climates, identifying optimal pairings of truffle and host trees.
Impact Establishing alternative truffle species will help de-risk the industry by spreading dependence across multiple varieties and extending seasonal availability. The resulting insights will support truffle growers with practical guidance for diversification, potentially unlocking new markets, boosting production, and increasing the overall resilience and value of Australia’s truffle sector.
