Technology for Australian Truffles Growers

The technology was developed in response to the reported problems of the standards of truffle inoculated trees affecting the production of black truffles.

Dr Thomas set about developing new and enhanced technology to create Australian truffle trees that had far reduced, or absent, contamination levels and a very high degree of colonisation of the tree root surface.

Over a 4 year period the technology was perfected in small-scale production and over a two year period the production was scaled-up and all problems ironed-out so these high quality truffle-trees could be produced in numbers suitable for a commercial plantation without sacrificing quality.

Our Trees for Truffles Growers

T.A.S.T.E trees produced today have the following benefits for Australian truffle growers:

Reduced or absent contamination.
Inoculums are rigorously checked to ensure our trees are inoculated with only Tuber melanosporum. We also make sure that all our inoculums are DNA certified
High degree of colonisation of the tree root surface.
Trees undergo treatment to ensure they are well adapted and ready to plant-out once they are dispatched.

We have very defined management practices that alter as our plantations grow and develop, in response to performance and analysis. Our high quality, involved and thorough approach will lead to:

Increased harvest reliability
Increased yields
Reduced problems with competing fungi

Click here for frequently asked questions by Australian truffles growers.

European Problems for Truffles Growers

European truffle-trees have suffered great problems in terms of low inoculation rates, exceptionally high contamination, inoculation with the wrong truffle species (such as the Chinese truffle) and poor plantation management.

Consequently, yields can be disappointing for truffles growers and some plantations have been reported to produce the wrong truffle species! The European truffle market also faces problems from spreading Oak disease, increasing droughts and possible ecological damage of the introduction of the Chinese truffle which can out-compete Tuber melanosporum.

Australian Problems for Truffle Growers

Whilst steps are being taken by the Australian industry to address grading standards, consumer education, import restrictions for competing truffle varieties and developing market drivers, T.A.S.T.E is concentrating on increasing plantation yields. Some truffle plantations have failed due to poor technology and poor attention to detail. Others, particularly in the Eastern States, have purchased trees with little or poor technical advocacy and will suffer the same results as other trufferies with low yields. The technique we have developed is a more thorough and reliable scientific method. Our system produces yields, not leaves.

Good Connections for Truffle Growers in Australia

We have good European trade links for distribution of produce and have distribution channels established to support Australian truffle growers.

We also have worldwide academic links. We’re very well networked with the key truffle researchers from every country.

We continue to actively research and experiment to make sure that we are always at the forefront of truffle research for the benefit of Australian truffle growers. We are currently running a global project to understand, in greater detail than has previously been attempted, the truffle-fruiting process and how specific management processes can impact on fruiting.

» Contact us today for information about how we can assist Australian truffles growers all over the country, including Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.