Southern-hemisphere trufficulture (especially in Western Australia and parts of New Zealand) has matured from small experiments in the 1980s–1990s into a credible commercial industry over ~25–30 years. That success depended on deliberate soil modification (pH and structure), irrigation, better certified mycorrhized seedlings, and attention to population genetics (mating-type) of the fungus. Which truffle species are

    Beneath the soils of the southern hemisphere, truffles are quietly plotting a gastronomic uprising. South America is a fascinating blend of scientific discovery, European species introduction, and bold agronomic experimentation, especially in Argentina and Brazil. Which truffle species are found or cultivated in South America? Introduced European species for commercial cultivation Tuber melanosporum

  Historical Background & Key Developments Early 20th century – wild harvestingIn Spain, truffles had been collected traditionally for centuries, but commercial-scale harvesting and export (especially to France) really took off in the mid-20th century (1950s), particularly in Catalonia and Aragon. 1960s–1970s – decline of wild harvests and start of researchFrom the 1970s onwards, researchers

A short summary of 20th-century French truffle research and cultivation—covering the decline of natural habitats and the rise of artificial plantations—along with names of key researchers and works. Overview (20th century → today) In the late 19th–early 20th century “golden age”, French truffle production exceeded ~1000 tons per year; more than half of French départements