Xin-Gen (Shane) Zhou

Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology

Mailing Address:
1509 Aggie Drive
Beaumont, TX 77713
Phone & Fax: (409)752-2741 Ext. 2258
E-Mail: xzhou@aesrg.tamu.edu
Office Location: TAMUS Headquarter
Education: Ph.D., Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State Univeristy, 2000
M.S., Plant Pathology, Zhejiang Agricultural University, 1988
B.S., Plant Protection, Zhejiang Agricultural University (currently Zhejiang University), 1981


Employment History:

2009 - Present: Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University, AgriLIFE Research and Extension Center, Beaumont, Texas
2001 - 2009: Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Maryland College Park, Lower Eastern Shore Research and Education Center, Salisbury, Maryland
1996 - 2000: Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.), Oklahoma State University, Wes Watkins Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Lane, Oklahoma




Responsibilities:

Research interests are in the epidemiology and management of rice diseases. Research activities center on sheath blight, bacterial panicle blight, narrow brown leaf spot, blast, the seedling disease complex and other diseases important in Texas and other southern states. Studies are conducted to better understand disease incidence and severity in response to changes in population genetics of pathogens, rice varieties, environmental conditions, cultural practices, and fungicide use. Current research projects include evaluating and identifying disease resistance, exploiting beneficial microorganisms and cover crops for biocontrol of diseases, and evaluating the impacts of fungicides on disease epidemics and grain yield and quality for main and ratoon (second) crops. The ultimate goal of my basic and applied research program is to develop effective disease management tools and to provide economically and environmentally sound disease management recommendations for rice production.




Current Publications:

Zhou, X. G., Everts, K. L., and Bruton, B. D. 2009. Race 3, a new and highly virulent race of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum causing Fusarium wilt in watermelon. Plant Disease 93 (in press).
Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2008. First report of Alternaria alternate f. sp. cucurbitae causing Alternaria leaf spot of melon in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Plant Disease 92:652.
Zhou, X.G., and Everts, K. L. 2008. Integrated management of gummy stem blight of watermelon by green manure and Melcast-scheduled fungicides. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2008-1120-01-RS.
Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2007. Characterization of a regional population of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum by race, cross pathogenicity, and vegetative compatibility. Phytopathology 97: 461-469.
Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2007. Effects of host resistance and inoculum density on the suppression of Fusarium wilt of watermelon induced by hairy vetch. Plant Disease 91:92-96.
Zhou, X.G., and Everts, K. L. 2006. Suppression of Fusarium wilt of watermelon enhanced by hairy vetch green manure and partial cultivar resistance. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2006-0405-01-RS.
Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2004. Suppression of Fusarium wilt of watermelon by soil amendment with hairy vetch. Plant Disease 88:1357-1365.
Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2004. Quantification of root and stem colonization of watermelon by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum and its use in evaluating resistance. Phytopathology 94:832-841.
Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2003. Races and inoculum density of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum in commercial watermelon fields in Maryland and Delaware. Plant Disease 87:692-698.
Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2001. First report of the occurrence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 2 in commercial watermelon-growing areas of Maryland and Delaware. Plant Disease 85:1291.