Lecturer in Horticulture
Overview
Dr Robyn Cave is a horticulturalist with research experience in plant reproductive biology and the control of plant development and flowering. Robyn completed her doctorate in 2011 at UQ, where she developed a model to predict the duration of vegetative and reproductive phases of herbs in response to temperature, vernalisation and daylength. Since commencing her teaching and research position in 2014, she has worked on tree crop projects such as, pollination of macadamia, leaf nutrient sampling in macadamia, and seed germination for rootstock development of macadamia and pecan. Robyn has also worked on photosynthetic activity, grafting and the use of plant growth regulators in herbaceous crops.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Applied Science, The University of Queensland
Publications
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Journal Article: Seed morpho-anatomy and germination enhancement of the Australian native species Lomandra longifolia Labill. and L. hystrix (R.Br.) L.R. Fraser & Vickery
Beveridge, Fernanda Caro, Williams, Alwyn, Cave, Robyn, Kalaipandian, Sundaravelpandian and Adkins, Steve W. (2023). Seed morpho-anatomy and germination enhancement of the Australian native species Lomandra longifolia Labill. and L. hystrix (R.Br.) L.R. Fraser & Vickery. Applied Biosciences, 2 (2), 222-235. doi: 10.3390/applbiosci2020016
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Conference Publication: Simulating in-transit ripening of ‘Honey Gold™’ mango fruit to predict quality outcomes
Mott, K.J.M., Lisle, A.T., Joyce, D.C., Hofman, P.J., Macnish, A.J., Bhandari, B. and Cave, R.L. (2023). Simulating in-transit ripening of ‘Honey Gold™’ mango fruit to predict quality outcomes. XXXI International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022): International Symposium on Postharvest Technologies to Reduce Food Losses, Angers, France, 14 - 20 August 2022. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2023.1364.43
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Kern, S., Santos, B., Topp, B., Cave, R., Bignell, G., Mulo, S. and Hardner, C. (2023). Value chain stakeholder preferences are misaligned with economic weights derived from the bio-economic model: what is the effect on the ranking of candidates?. Acta Horticulturae (1362), 529-538. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2023.1362.71
Grants
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Applications-oriented elucidation of germination triggers for Emu Bush seed
(2023–2027) ARC Linkage Projects
-
A Deadly Solution: Towards an Indigenous-led Bush Food Industry
(2022–2027) ARC Discovery Indigenous
-
Investigation into seed fill in wild Eremophila
(2022–2023) Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) Incorporated
Supervision
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MODELLING FRESH PRODUCE QUALITY IN A SUPPLY CHAIN
(2023) Doctor Philosophy
-
Interactions between seed functional traits and climate change in Australian native species
Doctor Philosophy
-
The optimisation of novel plant promoting compounds and their delivery methods for the Australian Vegetable Industry
(2022) Doctor Philosophy
Available Projects
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Propagation and production methods for native Australian plants for bushfood and ornamental horticulture
This project forms part of a prestigious Australian Research Council-funded project "A Deadly Solution:Towards an Indigenous-led bush food industry". The project focuses on several indigenous communities and the native plants on their country. The overall project aim is to select promising native plants for the expanding bushfood and ornamental horticulture industries in support of economic development of Indigenous communities, but also with a view of restoration of degraded land in the communities and biodiversity gains.
The candidate will have a strong interest in native plants and their propagation, and in collaborating with First Nation people and the interdisciplinary researcher team. The project is based at Gatton campus and involves travel to communities in Queensland from where plants are selected and will be grown. A current drivers license is highly recommended.
-
Seed propagation of Eremophila (emu bush) for land restoration and ornamental horticulture
This project aims to open up new applications for plants of the Australian genus Eremophila and enhance the viability of existing, currently underutilised applications, by acquiring fundamental biomolecular understanding of the genetic and environmental determinants of seed germination. This understanding will then be used to develop rational design of effective, controlled methods for stimulating seed germination and thereby make plants of this important genus available to large-scale usage in revegetation, horticulture, and seed banking, while ensuring genetic diversity.
The candidate will have a strong interest in Australian native plants and their propagation, and in collaborating with the Eremophila Study Group ( Australian Native Plants Society of Australia), Kersbrook, Australian Genome Research Facility and the interdisciplinary research team. The project is based at Gatton campus and may involve travel within Australia to source plant material and conduct growth trials. A current drivers license is essential.
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Rootstock development in tree nuts
Consumer demand for tree nuts, such as pecan and macadamia, is increasing. In this project we are investigating 1) seed germination and rootstock development, incuding the use of plant growth regulators, and 2) nut quality, including the influence of variety, fertigation, light interception, and harvest techniques on nut colour and defects.
Publications
Journal Article
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Beveridge, Fernanda Caro, Williams, Alwyn, Cave, Robyn, Kalaipandian, Sundaravelpandian and Adkins, Steve W. (2023). Seed morpho-anatomy and germination enhancement of the Australian native species Lomandra longifolia Labill. and L. hystrix (R.Br.) L.R. Fraser & Vickery. Applied Biosciences, 2 (2), 222-235. doi: 10.3390/applbiosci2020016
-
Kern, S., Santos, B., Topp, B., Cave, R., Bignell, G., Mulo, S. and Hardner, C. (2023). Value chain stakeholder preferences are misaligned with economic weights derived from the bio-economic model: what is the effect on the ranking of candidates?. Acta Horticulturae (1362), 529-538. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2023.1362.71
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Kern, Stéphane, Santos, Bruno, Topp, Bruce, Cave, Robyn, Bignell, Grant, Mulo, Shane and Hardner, Craig (2022). Using choice analysis of growers’ preferences to prioritize breeding traits in horticultural tree crops: a macadamia case study. Scientia Horticulturae, 294 110766, 110766. doi: 10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110766
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Cloning coconut via somatic embryogenesis: a review of the current status and future prospects
Kalaipandian, Sundaravelpandian, Mu, Zhihua, Kong, Eveline Yee Yan, Biddle, Julianne, Cave, Robyn, Bazrafshan, Amirhossein, Wijayabandara, Kusinara, Beveridge, Fernanda Caro, Nguyen, Quang and Adkins, Steve W. (2021). Cloning coconut via somatic embryogenesis: a review of the current status and future prospects. Plants, 10 (10) 2050, 1-16. doi: 10.3390/plants10102050
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Demand driven breeding of horticultural tree crops: proof of concept using macadamia
Kern, Stephane, Santos, Bruno, Cave, Robyn, Topp, Bruce and Hardner, Craig (2020). Demand driven breeding of horticultural tree crops: proof of concept using macadamia. Australian Macadamia Society News Bulletin, 75-76.
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Cave, Robyn L., Hammer, Graeme L., McLean, Greg, Birch, Colin J., Erwin, John E. and Johnston, Margaret E. (2013). Modelling temperature, photoperiod and vernalization responses of Brunonia australis (Goodeniaceae) and Calandrinia sp. (Portulacaceae) to predict flowering time. Annals of Botany, 111 (4), 629-639. doi: 10.1093/aob/mct028
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Cave, Robyn L., Birch, Colin J., Hammer, Graeme L., Erwin, John E. and Johnston, Margaret E. (2011). Juvenility and flowering of Brunonia australis (Goodeniaceae) and Calandrinia sp (Portulacaceae) in relation to vernalization and daylength. Annals of Botany, 108 (1), 215-220. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcr116
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Cave, Robyn L., Birch, Colin J., Hammer, Graeme L., Erwin, John E. and Johnston, Margaret E. (2011). Cardinal Temperatures and Thermal Time for Seed Germination of Brunonia australis (Goodeniaceae) and Calandrinia sp (Portulacaceae). HortScience, 46 (5), 753-758. doi: 10.21273/hortsci.46.5.753
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Cave, RL and Johnston, ME (2010). Vernalization promotes flowering of a heat tolerant Calandrinia while long days replace vernalization for early flowering of Brunonia. Scientia Horticulturae, 123 (3), 379-384. doi: 10.1016/j.scienta.2009.10.004
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Floral ontogeny of Brunonia australis (Goodeniaceae) and Calandrinia sp. (Portulacaceae)
Cave, Robyn L., Birch, Colin J., Hammer, Graeme L., Erwin, John E. and Johnston, Margaret E. (2010). Floral ontogeny of Brunonia australis (Goodeniaceae) and Calandrinia sp. (Portulacaceae). Australian Journal of Botany, 58 (1), 61-69. doi: 10.1071/BT09211
Conference Publication
-
Simulating in-transit ripening of ‘Honey Gold™’ mango fruit to predict quality outcomes
Mott, K.J.M., Lisle, A.T., Joyce, D.C., Hofman, P.J., Macnish, A.J., Bhandari, B. and Cave, R.L. (2023). Simulating in-transit ripening of ‘Honey Gold™’ mango fruit to predict quality outcomes. XXXI International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022): International Symposium on Postharvest Technologies to Reduce Food Losses, Angers, France, 14 - 20 August 2022. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2023.1364.43
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Chillies as potential candidates in breeding for high zeaxanthin bell-pepper varieties
Agarwal, Rimjhim, Hong, Hung, Cave, Robyn, Hayward, Alice, Harper, Steve and O'Hare, Tim (2021). Chillies as potential candidates in breeding for high zeaxanthin bell-pepper varieties. 1st Virtual International Conference on Carotenoids, Online, 22-25 June 2021. Miami, FL, United States: International Carotenoid Society.
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Beveridge, F.C., Williams, A., Cave, R. and Adkins, S.W. (2021). Germination enhancement of Australian native species Lomandra longifolia and Lomandra hystrix using different mechanical and chemical treatments. SERA 2021, Darwin, NT Australia, 10-13 May 2021.
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In-transit ripening and outturn quality for mango
Mott, Khamla, Joyce, Daryl, Hofman, Peter, Macnish, Andrew, Bhandari, Bhesh and Cave, Robyn (2020). In-transit ripening and outturn quality for mango. Postharvest 2020 Webinar series, Online, 10-12 November 2020. Auckland, New Zealand: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research.
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Li, Yimeng and Cave, Robyn (2020). Nanobubbles in hydroponics. Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference (TROPAG 2019), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11 - 13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: M D P I AG. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036039
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Agarwal, Rimjhim, Trieu, Hung Hong, Cave, Robyn, Harper, Stephen and O’Hare, Tim (2020). Orange capsicums and chillies as a potential source of dietary zeaxanthin, an important macular carotenoid for eye health. Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference (TROPAG 2019), Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI AG. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036161
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The effect of heat treatments and drip line placements on the yield and quality of garlic
Djanie, Alina, Harper, Stephen and Cave, Robyn (2020). The effect of heat treatments and drip line placements on the yield and quality of garlic. Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference (TROPAG 2019), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11 - 13 November 2019.
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Effect of leaf whorl position on nutrient content of macadamia leaves
Hill, Scott and Cave, Robyn (2017). Effect of leaf whorl position on nutrient content of macadamia leaves. 2017 International Macadamia Research Symposium, Big Island, Hawaii, 13-14 September 2017.
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Influence of rootstock on photosynthetic activity and yield of Capsicum annuum 'Warlock'
Cave, Robyn, Hall, Zara, Qin, Malin and Harper, Stephen (2016). Influence of rootstock on photosynthetic activity and yield of Capsicum annuum 'Warlock'. International Symposium on Tropical and Temperate Horticulture, Cairns, Australia, 20-25 November 2016.
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Cold temperature under aerobic conditions increases spikelet sterility in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Proud, Christopher, Hammadil, Muneer, Cave, Robyn, Mitchell, Jacquie and Fukai, Shu (2015). Cold temperature under aerobic conditions increases spikelet sterility in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Australian Society of Agronomy, Hobart, TAS, Australia, 20-24 September 2015. Warragul, VIC, Australia: Australian Society of Agronomy.
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Temperature affects germination of native Australian Gomphrena and Ptilotus species differently
Currey, C. J., Lopez, R. G., Cave, R. L., Harrison, D. K. and Johnston, M. E. (2015). Temperature affects germination of native Australian Gomphrena and Ptilotus species differently. International Horticulture Congress, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 17-22 August 2014. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1104.71
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An experimental approach for developing seed lines of new Australian native flowering pot plants
Cave, R. L., Erwin, J. E., Hammer, G. L., Birch, C. J. and Johnston, M. E. (2012). An experimental approach for developing seed lines of new Australian native flowering pot plants. XXVIII International Horticultural Congress (IHC2010), Lisbon, Portugal, 22-27 August 2010. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.937.2
Other Outputs
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Robyn Cave (2011). Development and flowering of Brunonia australis and Calandrinia sp.: influence of temperature, daylength and vernalisation. PhD Thesis, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland.
Grants (Administered at UQ)
-
Applications-oriented elucidation of germination triggers for Emu Bush seed
(2023–2027) ARC Linkage Projects
-
A Deadly Solution: Towards an Indigenous-led Bush Food Industry
(2022–2027) ARC Discovery Indigenous
-
Investigation into seed fill in wild Eremophila
(2022–2023) Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) Incorporated
-
(2021–2022) Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
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(2021–2022) Brisbane City Council
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(2020–2024) Secretariat of the Pacific Community
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(2015–2020) Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
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(2015–2018) Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
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Impact of rabbit density/activity on vegetable production
(2015–2016) Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Current Supervision
-
Interactions between seed functional traits and climate change in Australian native species
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Completed Supervision
-
MODELLING FRESH PRODUCE QUALITY IN A SUPPLY CHAIN
(2023) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
-
The optimisation of novel plant promoting compounds and their delivery methods for the Australian Vegetable Industry
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
-
Enhancing seed-based restoration in south-east Queensland using Australian native species
(2020) Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
-
In-transit ripening and outturn quality for mango
(2020) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
-
Determining density thresholds for managing rabbit damage to broccoli and corn
(2019) Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Possible Research Projects
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
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Propagation and production methods for native Australian plants for bushfood and ornamental horticulture
This project forms part of a prestigious Australian Research Council-funded project "A Deadly Solution:Towards an Indigenous-led bush food industry". The project focuses on several indigenous communities and the native plants on their country. The overall project aim is to select promising native plants for the expanding bushfood and ornamental horticulture industries in support of economic development of Indigenous communities, but also with a view of restoration of degraded land in the communities and biodiversity gains.
The candidate will have a strong interest in native plants and their propagation, and in collaborating with First Nation people and the interdisciplinary researcher team. The project is based at Gatton campus and involves travel to communities in Queensland from where plants are selected and will be grown. A current drivers license is highly recommended.
-
Seed propagation of Eremophila (emu bush) for land restoration and ornamental horticulture
This project aims to open up new applications for plants of the Australian genus Eremophila and enhance the viability of existing, currently underutilised applications, by acquiring fundamental biomolecular understanding of the genetic and environmental determinants of seed germination. This understanding will then be used to develop rational design of effective, controlled methods for stimulating seed germination and thereby make plants of this important genus available to large-scale usage in revegetation, horticulture, and seed banking, while ensuring genetic diversity.
The candidate will have a strong interest in Australian native plants and their propagation, and in collaborating with the Eremophila Study Group ( Australian Native Plants Society of Australia), Kersbrook, Australian Genome Research Facility and the interdisciplinary research team. The project is based at Gatton campus and may involve travel within Australia to source plant material and conduct growth trials. A current drivers license is essential.
-
Rootstock development in tree nuts
Consumer demand for tree nuts, such as pecan and macadamia, is increasing. In this project we are investigating 1) seed germination and rootstock development, incuding the use of plant growth regulators, and 2) nut quality, including the influence of variety, fertigation, light interception, and harvest techniques on nut colour and defects.
-
Novel vegetable crops
Novel vegetable crops enable small to medium sized enterprises to tap into new domestic and international markets. In this project we will identify potential new crops and investigate their suitability for production in Australian climates.
