Alison (Curl) Oke
PhD 2002 - 2008
Supervisor Panel Members
Professor Nigel Tapper
Professor Snow Barlow (University of Melbourne)
Research Focus
Precision Viticulture; Within-block variation in vine microclimate and soil properties; Spatial patterns in temporal variability in vine productivity; Development and application of new methods of spatial analysis.
Current Research
Precision Viticulture is the management of within-block variability in vine productivity. This project uses modern Precision Viticulture techniques to look at the factors driving within-vineyard variability in grape yield and quality. The spatial variation in yield and quality is identified in three case study vineyard blocks in the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and the Strathbogie Ranges over the period of 2003 to 2005. The project focus is to determine the primary factors driving the spatial variability in vine productivity. The major role that soil and climate play in defining vine productivity on a regional scale is well studied but little is known about their variability on a single vineyard scale. The extent and spatial structure of both the soil and climate characteristics are identified in the three case study blocks. The relationship between the spatial patterns of the vine productivity and environmental variables are being investigated using geostatistical techniques such as Geographically Weighted Regression and k-means clustering.
Outputs
Oke, A.M.C., Tapper, N.J. and Barlow, E.W.R. (2005) Within-vineyard variability in grape quality and yield and its relationship to the vineyard environment. ISHS International Workshop on Advances in Grapevine and Wine Research Venosa 14 - 17 September 2005.
Oke, A.M.C., Dunkerley, D. and Tapper, N.J. Willy-willies in the Australian landscape: Sediment Transport Characteristics. Journal of Arid Environments. (Accepted for publication March 2007)
Oke, A.M.C., Tapper, N.J. and Dunkerley, D. Willy-willies in the Australian landscape: The role of key meteorological variables and surface conditions in defining frequency and spatial characteristics. Journal of Arid Environments. (Accepted for publication March 2007).
Martin, S., Kristic, M., Mahoney, C., Collins, B., Oke, A.M.C., Whiting, J., Kelly, S. and Dunn, G. (2007) Regulating yield to improve wine quality and reduce industry costs. Final Report to the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation. Project Number DNR 03/02.
Oke, A.M.C., Barlow E.W.R. and Tapper, N. J. (2004) Edaphic and microclimatic factors driving within-vineyard variability in grape yield and quality in premium cool climate regions of Victoria. Proceedings of the 12th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference, Melbourne, Victoria 24-29 July, 2004. (Poster)
Oke, A.M.C.., Tapper, N. J. and Barlow E.W.R. (2006) Factors driving within-vineyard variability in grape yield and composition in a vineyard in the cool-climate region of the Yarra Valley, Australia. Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium for Cool Climate Viticulture and Oenology, Christchurch, New Zealand, 5-10 February 2006.(Poster)
Why Monash?
I was interested in completing research with a practical application while still advancing the science in my field and found that Monash balanced these two priorities well. The School of Geography and Environmental Science maintains a high standard of research while still having a little fun. The school challenges its students but maintains a friendly and encouraging environment to work in.
What next?
I would like to work in a position that allows me to further my scientific training but also find practical applications for my research either in viticulture or environmental science.