Xin-Gen (Shane) Zhou

Professor

Mailing Address:
1509 Aggie Drive
Beaumont, TX 77713
Phone & Fax: (409)752-2741 Ext. 2225
E-Mail: xzhou@aesrg.tamu.edu
Office Location: TAMUS Headquarter
Education: Ph.D., Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, 2000
M.S., Plant Pathology, Zhejiang University, 1988
B.S., Plant Protection, Zhejiang University (formerly Zhejiang Agricultural University), 1981

Employment History:

2022 - Present: Professor, Texas A&M University, AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Beaumont, Texas
2015 - 2022: Associate Professor, Texas A&M University, AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Beaumont, Texas
2009 - 2015: 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 important diseases in rice, including organic rice. Research activities center on sheath blight, kernel smut, narrow brown leaf spot, bacterial panicle blight, blast, the seedling disease complex, and other diseases important in rice main and ratoon (second harvest) crops in Texas. Research focuses on enhancing cultivar resistance, improving chemical control, developing effective biological control methods (cover crops, PGPRs, endophytes and other beneficial microorganisms), and developing and utilizing UAVs remote sensing and core-microbiome manipulation technologies for management of rice diseases. The goal of my basic and applied research programs is to develop effective, profitable, and sustainable management strategies to protect rice crop health and improve productivity.


Honors & Awards:

Outstanding Services Award from American Phytopathological Society; 2022
Senior Editor, PhytoFrontiers; 2020 to Present
Section Editor, Plant Disease Management Reports; 2012 to Present
Senior Editor, Plant Disease; 2019 to 2021
Associate Editor, Plant Disease; 2017 to 2019
Senior Editor, Plant Health Progress; 2015 to 2019
Disease Management Advisor for the USDA ARS National Rice Plant Germplasm Committee, 2019-Present
Scientific Counselor of Stakeholders Committee for The Organic Center, Washington, DC; 2019-Present
Grant Review Panelist for the USDA NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI); Program; 2018
Grant Review Panelist for the International Foundation for Science, Sweden; 2016
Grant Review Panelist for the Louisiana State Research and Development Competitive Program; 2016
Grant Review Panelist for the USAID Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program; 2010
Chair of Integrated Plant Disease Management Committee of the American Phytopathological Society, 2021-2022
Chair of Plant Protection Panel of the 36th Rice Technical Working Group Proceedings, 2014-2016


Select Publications:        Rice Disease Management Reports are available now  Click Here

Khanal, S., S. Antony-Babu, S. P. Gaire, and X. G. Zhou. 2022. Multi-locus sequence analysis reveals diversity of the rice kernel smut population in the United States. Frontiers in Microbiology 13:874120. DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2022.874120.
Imran, M., S. Khanal, X. G. Zhou, S. Antony-Babu, and M. Atiq. 2022. First report of Fusarium Sheath Rot of rice caused by Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex in the United States. Plant Disease 106 DOI:10.1094/PDIS-12-21-2693-PDN.
Imran, M., S. Khanal, X. G. Zhou, S. Antony-Babu, and M. Atiq. 2022. First report of leaf spot of rice caused by Epicoccum sorghinum in the United States. Plant Disease 106 doi:10.1094/PDIS-10-21-2177-PDN.
Imran, M., S. Khanal, X. G. Zhou, S. Antony-Babu, and M. Atiq. 2022. First report of brown leaf spot of rice caused by Curvularia hawaiiensis in the United States. Plant Disease 106 doi:10. 1094/PDIS-10-21-2253-PDN.
Samonte, S. O. P., L. T. Wilson, R. E. Tabien, C. L. Harper, and X. G. Zhou. 2022. Registration of Trinity long-grain rice cultivar. J. Plant Regist. 2022:1-10. DOI:10.1002/plr2. 20238.
Zhang, D. Y., H. S. Luo, D. Y. Wang, X. G. Zhou, W. F. Li, C. Y. Gu, G. Zhang, and F. M. He. 2022. Assessment of the levels of damage caused by Fusarium head blight in wheat using an improved YoloV5 method. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2022.107086.
Redman, R. S., Y. O. Kim, S. Cho, M. Mercer, M. Rienstra, R. Manglona, T. Biaggi, X. G. Zhou, M. Chilvers, Z. Gray, and R. J. Rodriguez. 2022. A symbiotic approach to generating stress tolerant crops. In Aalaa Mahgoub Albasha, Editor. Prime Archives in Microbiology: 3rd Edition. Hyderabad, India. Vide Leaf.
Gaire, S. P., X. G. Zhou, and Y. K. Jo. 2021. Sterile white basidiomycete fungus Marasmius graminum: a new pathogen causing seeding blight in rice. Plant Disease 105: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-20-1136-PDN.
Liu, R., V. Singh, S. Abugho, H. Lin, X. G. Zhou, and M. Bagavathiannan. 2021. Morphophysiological diversity and its association with herbicide resistance in Echinochloa ecotypes. Weed Science 69:1-10 https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2021.64.
Redman, R. S., Y. O. Kim, S. Cho, M. Mercer, M. Rienstra, R. Manglona, X. G. Zhou, M. Chilvers, Z. Gray, and R. J. Rodriguez. 2021. A symbiotic approach to generating stress tolerant crops. Microorganisms 8:920-947. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/5/920.
Shi, J., X. G. Zhou, Z. Yan, R. E. Tabien, L. T. Wilson, and L. Wang. 2021. Hybrid rice outperforms inbred rice in resistance to sheath blight and narrow brown leaf spot. Plant Disease 105:2981-2989. DOI:10.1094/PDIS-11-20-2391-RE.
Wang, L., E. Nysetvold, and X. G. Zhou. 2021. Cultural media promoting sporulation of rice kernel smut fungus Tilletia barclayana. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 161:629-635. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-021-02348-y.
Zhang, D., C. Gu, Z. Wang, X. G. Zhou, and W. Li. 2021. Evaluating the efficacy of fungicides for wheat scab control by combined image processing technologies. Biosystems Engineering 211:230-246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2021.09.008.
Zhou, X. G., K. V. K. Kuma, L. W. Zhou, M. S. Reddy, and J. W. Kloepper. 2021. Combined use of PGPR and reduced rates of azoxystrobin to improve management of sheath blight of rice. Plant Disease 105:1034-1041. DOI:10.1094/PDIS-07-20-1596-RE.
Lin, F., D. Zhang, X. G. Zhou, and Y. Lei. 2021. Spectroscopy technology: an innovative tool for diagnosis and monitoring of wheat diseases. In: Diagnostics of Plant Diseases, ed. Dmitry Kurouski, IntechOpen. DOI:10.5772/intechopen. 96369.
Zhou, X. G., D. Zhang, and E. Lin. 2021. UAV remote sensing: an innovative tool for detection and management of rice diseases. Page 43-67 In: Diagnostics of Plant Diseases, ed. Dmitry Kurouski, IntechOpen. DOI:10.5772/intechopen.95535.
Li, X., F. Dou, K. B. Watkins, S. Wang, K. Chen, X. G. Zhou, A. McClung, J. O. Storlien, and F. M. Hons. 2020. Seeding rate effects on organic rice growth, yield, and economic returns. Agronomy Journal 2020:1-16. DOI:10.1002/agj2.20304.
Lin, F., S. Gao, C. Tan, X. G. Zhou, and D. Zhang. 2020. Identification of rice sheath blight through spectral responses using hyperspectral images. Sensors 20:6243. DOI:10.3390/s20216243.
Liu, R., V. Singh, X. G. Zhou, and M. Bagavathiannan. 2020. Stakeholder and field surveys on weed issues and research needs in rice production in Texas. Weed Technol. DOI:10.1017/wet. 2020.108.
Zhang, D., G. Chen, X. Yin, R. Hu, C. Gu, Z. Pan, X. G. Zhou, and Y. Chen. 2020. Integrating spectral and image data to detect Fusarium head blight of wheat. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 175:105588 DOI:10.1016/j.compag.2020.105588.
Gaire, S., X. G. Zhou, Y.-K. Jo, and J. Shi. 2020. First report of Rhizoctonia solani AG-4 causing seedling disease in rice. Plant Disease 104: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-07-19-1570-PDN.
Uppala, S., B. Liu, M. Wu, and X. G. Zhou. 2019. Plant-based culture media for improved growth and sporulation of Cercospora janseana. Plant Disease 103:504-508.
Uppala, S. and X. G. Zhou. 2019. Optimum timing of propiconazole to manage narrow brown leaf spot in the main and ratoon crops in Texas. Crop Protection 124: 1-6.
Zhou, X. G. 2019. Sustainable strategies for managing bacterial panicle blight in rice. In: Protecting Rice Grains in the Post-Genomic Era, ed. Yulin Jia, IntechOpen,
DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.84882. Available from: https://www.intechopen.com/books/protecting-rice-grains-in-the-post-genomic-era/sustainable-strategies-for-managing-bacterial-panicle-blight-in-rice.
Shew, A. M., A. Durand-Morat, L. L. Nalley, X. G. Zhou, C. Rojas, and G. Thoma. 2019. Warming increases bacterial panicle blight (Burkholderia glumae) occurrences and impacts on USA rice production. PLoS ONE 14(7): e0219199. Https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219199.
Cai, N., X. G. Zhou, Y. B. Yang, J. Wang, D. Y. Zhang, and R. J. Hu. 2019. Use of UAV images to assess narrow brown leaf spot severity in rice. Int J. Precis. Agric. Aviat. 2 (2):38-42.
Zhao, X., J. Zhang, D. Zhang, X. G. Zhou, X. Liu, and J. Xiu. 2019. Comparison between the effects of visible light and multispectral sensor based on low-altitude remote sensing platform in the evaluation of rice sheath blight. Spectroscopy and Spectral Analysis 39(4):1191-1198.
Uppala, S. and X. G. Zhou. 2018. Field efficacy of fungicides for management of sheath blight and narrow brown leaf spot of rice. Crop Protection 104: 72-77.
Uppala, S. and X. G. Zhou. 2018. Rice Sheath Blight. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI: 10.1094/PHI-I-2018-0403-01. https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/disandpath/fungalasco/pdlessons/Pages/RiceSheath.aspx.
Zhang, D., X. G. Zhou, J. Zhang, Y. Lan, C. Xu, and D. Liang. 2018. Detection of rice sheath blight using an unmanned aerial system with high-resolution color and multispectral imaging. PLoS ONE 13(5):e0187470.
Handiseni, M., W. Cromwell, M. Zidek, X. G. Zhou, and Y. K. Jo. 2017. Use of brassicaceous seed meal extracts for managing root-knot nematode in bermudagrass. Nematropica 47: 55-62.
Handiseni, M., X. G. Zhou, and Y. K. Jo. 2017. Soil amendment with Brassica juncea plant tissue reduces sclerotia formation, viability and aggressiveness of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA toward rice. Crop Protection 100:77-80.
Handiseni, M., Y. K. Jo, K. M. Lee, and X. G. Zhou. 2016. Screening brassicaceous plants as biofumigants for management of Rhizoctonia solani AGI-IA. Plant Disease 100:758-763.
Dong, H., X. G. Zhou, J. Wang, Y. Xu, and P. Lu. 2015. Myrothecium verrucaria strain X-16, a novel parasitic fungus to Meloidogyne hapla. Biological Control 83:7-12.
Handiseni, M., Y. Jo, and X. G. Zhou. 2015. Integration of brassica cover crop with host resistance and azoxystrobin for management of rice sheath blight. Plant Disease 99: 883-885.
Everts, K. L., D. S. Egel, D. Langston, and X. G. Zhou. 2014. Chemical management of Fusarium wilt of watermelon. Crop Protection 66: 114-119.
Zhou, X. G. 2014. First report of bacterial panicle blight of rice caused by Burkholderia glumae in South Africa. Plant Disease 98:566.
Kumar, K. V. K., S. K. R. Yellareddygari, M. S. Reddy, J. W. Kloepper, K. S. Lawrence, M. E. Miller, H. Sudini, E. C. S. Reddy, X. G. Zhou, and D. E. Groth. 2013.
Ultrastructural studies on the interaction between Bacillus subtilis MBI 600 (Integral®) and the rice sheath blight pathogen, Rhizoctonia solani. Afr. J. Microbiol. Res. 7 (19): 2078-2086.
Kumar, K. V. K., S. K. R. Yellareddygari, M. S. Reddy, J. W. Kloepper, K. S. Lawrence, X. G. Zhou, H. Suddin, and M. E. Miller. 2012. Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis MBI 600 against sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani and on growth and yield of rice. Rice Science 19 (1): 55-63.
Zhou, X. G. and K. L. Everts. 2012. Anthracnose and gummy stem blight are reduced on watermelons grown on a no-till hairy vetch cover crop. Plant Disease 96:431-436.
Zhou, X. G., K. L. Everts, and B. D. Bruton. 2010. Race 3, a new and highly virulent race of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum causing Fusarium wilt in watermelon. Plant Disease 94:92-98.
Zhou, X. G., Tabien, R. E., and Way, M. O. 2010. First report of white leaf streak of rice caused by Mycovellosiella oryzae in Texas. Plant Disease 94:639.
Keinath, A. P., Hassell, R. L., Everts, K. L., and Zhou, X. G. 2010. Cover crops of hybrid common vetch reduce Fusarium wilt of seedless watermelon in the eastern United States. Online. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2010-0914-01-RS.
Zhou, X. G., Everts, K. L. and Bruton, B. D. 2010. Potential impact of a new highly virulent race of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum in watermelon in the USA. Acta Hort. (ISHS) 871:535-542.
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.


Recent Publications
To see Dr. Zhou’s recent and extensive publications, please click Scholar.google.com