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DoctorAlieta Eyles

Research Fellow - Production Horticulture

TIA - Research Institute

Orcid identifier0000-0003-4432-6216 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Research Fellow - Production Horticulture
    TIA - Research Institute
  • +61 3 6226 2668 (Work)
  • +61 3 6226 7444 (Fax)
  • Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), TIA - Research Institute, 306 Life Sciences - Building 34, Sandy Bay Campus, TAS

RESEARCH SUMMARy

Expertise

Traditional Chinese Herbs
Pollination
Post-harvest fruit and vegetable science
Plant physiology
Metabolomics
Chemical ecology
Plant pathology

Research Themes

Alieta’s research aligns to the University’s research theme of Environment, Resources and Sustainability. Her work aims to improve agricultural production by understanding the physiology of the plant and their produce.

Collaboration

Alieta has been part of numerous multidisciplinary collaborations with a variety of institutions in Australia, New Zealand and USA. For example, during her postdoctoral position at The Ohio State University, Alieta collaborated with researchers in other Universities in USA including Wright State University, University of California and USDA- Forest Service. This work examined the biochemistry of host resistance in pine, ash and oak trees.

Alieta also coordinated a national project that included field experiments in VIC and NSW involving researchers from University of Melbourne, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, University of Tasmania and two industry partners, HVP Plantations and NSW Department of Primary Industries. This work quantified the impact of repeated defoliation on the growth and physiology of pine plantations.

As part of the ARC Training Centre for Innovative Horticultural Products, Alieta liaised with numerous industry partners including Woolworths, Houston’s Farm, Northern Territory Government Dept Primary Industry and Resources, Daly Potato and Hansen Orchards to support doctoral candidates in post-harvest physiology-related projects

Awards

Dean’s Commendation Award for an outstanding doctoral thesis 2003
A scholarship to spend 6 months at Mie University (Japan) as part of a post graduate student exchange program funded by the
Association of International Education, Japan 2002
Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation funding 2002
Maxwell Ralph Jacobs Funding (Australian Academy of Science) 2001
CRC for Sustainable Production Forestry PhD Scholarship
Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) Summer Studentship 1997-1998
Dean’s Roll of Excellence 1997-1998
Beryl Bennet Bursary in Agricultural Science 1996-1997

FUNDED PROJECTS

  • GRANT
    Pre-harvest sanitisation of leafy green vegetables
    1 Jun 2023 - 1 Feb 2024
    People funded by this grant:
    • Eyles A,
    • Rood L,
    • Ross T,
    • Kocharunchitt J,
    • Bowman J
    Project Total: $46,781; This is a response to a Hort Innovation Australia Request for Proposals VG22008 Pre-harvest sanitisation of leafy green vegetables? (LGVs) to review antimicrobial strategies that can be applied to leafy salad vegetables preharvest. We will write a comprehensive literature review of international practice for sanitisation measures that may be applied pre-harvest using irrigation water on farm to reduce microbial loads in water, and in the crop, to ensure that the Australian LGV industry is applying worlds best practice. The review will also enable the identification of knowledge gaps for further research. Funded by: Horticulture Innovation Australia - Tender ($46,781); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Novel technologies and practises for the optimisation of pollination within protected cropping environments
    1 Jul 2019 - 11 May 2024
    People funded by this grant:
    • Gracie A,
    • Eyles A,
    • Allen G,
    • Close D,
    • Quarrell S
    Project Total: $1,259,944; Pollination is essential for production of most fruit and seed crops and it is often the limiting factor for both yield and product quality. Despite its fundamental importance, management of pollination has not received the level of innovation and technological advancement that is warranted. At present, pollination of the majority of Australia's horticultural crops is dependent on the European honeybee (Apis mellifera), from either wild colonies and/or domesticated hives introduced in to the crop. The heavy dependence on this one species is a major risk and limitation to horticulture in Australia (and globally). The risks to Australian horticulture that this situation poses can only be alleviated by the development of alternative pollination systems. This project seeks to address the lack of research into pollination systems to develop robust approaches for key horticultural crops based on fundamental research. TIA will seek to lead the mechanical pollination component of the program. Funded by: Department of Agriculture and Water Resources - Research and Development for Profit; University of Tasmania ($300,000).
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Research Hub for Traditional Chinese Herbs
    30 Mar 2019 - 31 Dec 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    • Close D,
    • Eyles A,
    • Garland S
    Project Total: $1,485,019; This hub will address two key objectives: 1. Identify herb crops of interest to Chinese markets that match the ecophysiological conditions in candidate Tasmanian regions, and to 2. Develop agronomic production systems and post-harvest processing approaches and techniques for product development with a focus on optimised phytochemical profiles. A multidisciplinary team comprising expertise in crop ecophysiology, production agronomy, plant chemistry, plant extraction technology, and post-harvest in conjunction with fit-for-purpose research farm at Forthside on the NW coast of Tasmania is well placed to deliver on the project objectives. Funded by: W & E Health Pty Ltd ($1,466,495); University of Tasmania ($18,525).
  • GRANT
    Mechanisms and manipulation of resistance to powdery scab in potato roots
    Horticulture Innovation Australia1 Jun 2018 - 31 Mar 2023
    People funded by this grant:
    • Wilson C,
    • Tegg R,
    • Eyles A,
    • Baldwin S
    Project Total: $588,833; In this project we aim to: (a) determine the nature of spore root attachment, (b) characterise cultivars for this important type of resistance, (c) examine capability of manipulation of attachment sites through binding blockers or similar approaches, (d) develop and screen variants of important commercial cultivars with altered root attachment capacity and analyse variants for the genetic changes associated with reduced binding that will be useful for rapid screening of new germplasm. This project will lead to benefits for the Australian potato industries by increased potato industry productivity and profitability through reduced losses due to root disease and by a reduced requirement for agronomic inputs (fertiliser, water, fungicide etc) needed to compensate for the reduced yields and reduced root function in disease plants and greater quality produce with lower rejection and better storage capability.. Funded by: Horticulture Innovation Australia - Grant-General Call ($588,833); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Innovative Horticultural Products: Adding value to horticulture value
    Australian Research Council1 May 2015 - 30 Dec 2020
    People funded by this grant:
    • Ross T,
    • Stanley R,
    • Close D,
    • Tamplin M,
    • Meinke H
    Project Total: $2,511,605; Training Centre for Innovative Horticultural Products: Adding value to horticulture value chains from producer to consumer. This project will produce 'industry-relevant' researchers and lead to more convenient and longer lasting fresh and fresh-like fruits and vegetables. The project will involve growers, food processors and a major retailer to increase industry productivity, expand markets for Australian foods, and increase choices of healthy products for consumers. This Centre will train a pool of researchers focussed on needs and opportunities in the Australian food industry through projects and formal training with active collaboration from food growers, processors and retailers. This training model and its graduates will enhance the capacity of Australia's fresh produce industry to innovate to meet consumer needs and develop opportunities in local and international markets, aiding Australia's food security and improving the industry's competitiveness. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Industrial Transformation Training Centres ($2,061,605); Woolworths ($450,000); University of Tasmania.