Members of the TPWA committee have assisted the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in submitting a Preliminary Research Proposal to AgriFutures. This proposal requests funding for a project that extends the findings of the previous research to improve the sustainability of the industry. An extract from the proposal summary is as follows:
The Australian truffle industry is now over 20 years old and is the fourth largest producer of truffles in the world after Spain, France, and Italy. The industry is export focussed, with approximately 80% of production exported to international markets including north America, Europe, UK, and Asia.
There is increased awareness of farming practices by consumers. As Australia’s truffle production increases, growers are seeking effective and sustainable practices that match the increased attention to environmental impacts by growers themselves, farming communities, consumers, tourists, and the wider community.
Previous research (PRJ-009832) has identified the common pests impacting on truffle production. Major invertebrate pests were identified and research on minimising their impact revealed the importance of orchard floor management. That project recommended that more work needs to be done refining management options.
This project investigates new sustainable practices for truffle growers to manage the orchard floor in environmentally sustainable ways. Potential treatments include the use of organic acids and pine derivatives, weed-matting, steam, heat, and fire to reduce weeds. The project will also investigate sustainable options for invertebrate pest management. A major component of this project will be to examine any effect of the treatments on the mycorrhizae and where applicable, subsequent production.
The project aims to produce a series of information packages for new and established growers to adopt and move towards new sustainable practices.