Research interests

• Vegetable physiology
• Postharvest biology and technology of fruit, vegetables and flowers
• Disease resistance in fruit and flowers
• Fruit tree water requirements
  

Background

Donald Irving is a Research Horticulturist based at Yanco Agricultural Institute. Prior to this appointment, he taught postharvest physiology and technology, and researched the physiology of disease resistance, at the University of Queensland. Earlier, he researched carbohydrate metabolism in harvested vegetables, fruit tree water relations, and postharvest technologies on different fruits, vegetables, and flowers at a crown research institute in New Zealand.

Qualifications

• B.Sc., M. Sc (Botany) – University of Auckland 1979
• Ph.D. (Agricultural Science) – University of Adelaide 1984
• GCEd  (Higher Education) – University of Queensland 2002

Current projects

• Beetroot stand management
• Improving the efficiency of irrigation in prunes
• Improving marketing efficiency, postharvest management and value addition of sweetpotato in Papua New Guinea

Recent Publications

Dinh S-Q, Joyce DC, Irving DE and Wearing AH (2011) Histology of waxflower (Chamelaucium spp.) flower infection by Botrytis cinerea. Plant Pathology 60 278-287.

Pangaribuan DH and Irving DE (2010) Effect of 1-MCP in maintaining the quality of tomato slices. Jurnal Teknologi & Industri Pangan (Indonesia) 21, 80-86.

Tang W, Zhu S, Li L, Liua D and Irving DE (2010) Differential expressions of PR1 and chitinase genes in harvested bananas during ripening, and in response to ethephon, benzothiadizole and methyl jasmonate. Postharvest Biology and Technology 57, 86–91.

Damunupola JW, Qian T, Muusers R, Joyce D, Irving D and van Meeteren U (2010) Effect of S-carvone on vase life parameters for selected cut flower and foliage species. Postharvest Biology and Technology 55, 66-69.

Ma B-C, Tang W-L, Ma L-Y, Li L-L, Zhang L-B, Zhu S-J, Zhuang C and Irving DE (2009) The role of chitinase gene expression in the defense of harvested banana against anthracnose disease. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 134, 379–386.

Hassan MK, Irving DE, Dann EK, Coates LM and Hofman PJ (2009). Sap properties and alk(en)ylresorcinol concentrations in Australian-grown mangoes. Annals of Applied Biology (in press).

Dinh S-Q, Joyce DC, Irving DE and Wearing AH (2008) Effects of multiple applications of chemical elicitors on Botrytis cinerea infecting Geraldton waxflower. Australasian Plant Pathology 37, 87-94.

Hassan MK, Dann EK, Irving DE and Coates LM (2007) Concentrations of constitutive alk(en)ylresorcinols in peel of commercial mango varieties and resistance to postharvest anthracnose. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 71, 158-165.

Force LE, O’Hare TJ, Wong LS and Irving DE (2007) Impact of cold storage on glucosinolate levels in seed-sprouts of broccoli, rocket, white radish and kohl-rabi. Postharvest Biology and Technology 44, 175–178.

He S, Joyce DC, Irving DE and Faragher JD (2006) Competition for water between inflorescences and leaves in cut flowering stems of Grevillea ‘Crimson Yul-lo’ Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology 81, 891-897.

Macnish AJ, Irving DE, Joyce DC, Vithanage V and Wearing AH (2005) Anatomy of ethylene-induced floral organ abscission in Chamelaucium uncinatum (Myrtaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 53, 119-131.

Setyadjit Joyce DC, Irving DE and Simons DH (2004) Development and senescence of Grevillea ‘Sylvia’ inforescences, flowers and flower parts. Plant Growth Regulation 44, 133-146.

Professional associations and activities

• Member of the American Society for Horticultural Science.
• Consulting editor for the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science (since 2004).
  

Fields of Research

• 070602 Horticultural Crop Improvement (Selection and Breeding)
• 070601 Horticultural Crop Growth and Development 
• 070603 Horticultural Crop Protection (Pests, Diseases and Weeds) 
• 070605 Post Harvest Horticultural Technologies (incl. Transportation and Storage)

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

Keyword/phrase list of research interests

• Vegetable quality and effects on health
• Postharvest biology
• Disease resistance in fruit, vegetables and flowers
• Vegetable and fruit growth in response to temperature and water management