New guides provided by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are helping commercial truffle growers strengthen their pest management practices.
Complimentary hard copies of the Australian Truffle Orchards – Pest and Disease Field Guide have been distributed to truffle enterprises as part of a nationwide rollout.
The guide can also be downloaded for free from the DPIRD website along with the electronic-only Australian Truffle Orchards – Integrated Pest and Disease Management Manual.
Development Officer at the DPIRD, Alec McCarthy said truffle industry leaders had reacted positively to the documents, which would help growers identify and respond to the pests and diseases most likely to be found in their orchards.
“The full colour field guide provides both pictures and texts, including descriptions of organisms potentially found in association with truffle production, signs of possible damage and means of monitoring,” Mr McCarthy said.
“Its coverage extends to organisms commonly associated with truffle organisms but of low or non-pest status, as well as significant exotic pests or diseases that are not yet known to exist within Australia.”
He said the manual contained more detailed information on the organisms and specific actions that growers could take to limit production impacts.
“The guide and manual will be essential tools for all members of the high growth, high value Australian truffle industry, which saw exports of eight tonnes from Western Australia alone last year,” Mr McCarthy said.
“With the WA black truffle harvest now in full swing, I encourage the public to seek out and enjoy these exotic condiments while at their freshest.”
The DPIRD was the project’s lead research Agency and a co-funder with the AgriFutures Emerging Industries Program, the Australian Truffle Growers Association, Truffle Producers WA, the Australian National University and the Department of Primary Industries NSW.
