xunzhong zhang - Department of Crop & Soil Environmental Sciences

XUNZHONG ZHANG
Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences
328A Smyth Hall (0404)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA 24061
(540) 231-9788, xuzhang@vt.edu
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
M.S. Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
B.S. Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Turfgrass/crop stress physiology and biotechnology
o My research has focused on hormones, antioxidants, amino acids, proteins,
carbohydrates, and fatty acids metabolism, signal transduction, and gene
expression associated with turfgrass/crop stress tolerance and acclimation, and
physiological and molecular mechanisms of plant tolerance and adaptation to
stresses (drought, cold, heat, UV-B, salt, and traffic)
o My research interests also include collection and assessment of
turfgrass/bioenergy crop germplasm and development of transgenic grass plants
for better resistance to abiotic stresses
Turfgrass ecology and sustainable culture system
o My research emphasizes the principle and practices for environmentally friendly,
sustainable turf culture system. The research approach combines the molecular,
physiological and ecological bases of turfgrass stress resistance and environmental
sustainability in an integrated fashion
o The research topics in this area include, but are not limited to, the biostimulants,
biosolids, organic amendments, and natural products for improving turfgrass
physiological health and soil biological property, and the best turf management
practices for golf courses, sports fields, and home lawns
TEACHING
Crop physiology and ecology (CSES4344)
Advanced crop physiology (CSES5344)
Turfgrass/crop physiology practicum (CSES5984)
PROFESSIONAL/PUBLIC SERVICES
Member, Scientific Committee, 2 nd International ISHS Conference on Turfgrass
Science and Management for Sport Fields

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Member, Editorial Board, Proc. 2 nd international ISHS Conference on Turfgrass
Science and Management for Sport Fields.
Invited reviewer for 16 professional/SCI journals
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Crop Science Society of America
American Society of Agronomy
RECENT/CURRENT RESEARCH SUPPORT
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Metropolitan-Washington Council of Governments
Syngenta Crop Protection
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS (Total: 3 books, 7 book chapters, 88 research journal papers, 70
other professional publications)
1. Zhang, X., K, Wang, E.H. Ervin, C.T Waltz, and T. Murphy. 2011. Metabolic
changes of bermudagrass during cold acclimation and deacclimation. I. Proline,
protein, amino acid, and dehydrin expression. Crop Sci. 51:838-846.
2. Zhang, X., E.H. Ervin, C.T Waltz, and T. Murphy. 2011. Metabolic changes of
bermudagrass during cold acclimation and deacclimation. II. Abscisic acid and
cytokinin. Crop Sci. 51:847-853.
3. Xu, B., L. Huang, Z. Shen, G. E. Welbaum, X. Zhang, and B. Zhao. 2011. Selection
and characterization of a new switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) line with high
somatic embryogenic capacity for genetic transformation. Scientia Horticulturae
129:854-861.
4. Luo, H., H. Li, X. Zhang, and J. Fu. 2011. Antioxidant response and gene expression
in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, L.) under cadmium stress. Ecotoxicology
20:770-778.
5. Evanylo, G.C., E. Ervin, and X. Zhang. 2010. Reclaimed water for turfgrass
irrigation. Water 2:685-701.
6. Bowden, C.B., G.K. Evanylo, X. Zhang, E.H. Ervin, and J.R. Seiler. 2010.
Physiological responses of corn and soybean in organically-amended soil. Compost
Science and Utilization 18:162-173.
7. Munshaw, G.C., E.H. Ervin, J.S. Beasley, C. Shang, X. Zhang, and D.J. Parrish.
2010. Effects of late-season ethephon applications on cold tolerance parameters of
four bermudagrass cultivars. Crop Sci. 50:1022-1029.
8. Zhang, X. K. Wang, and E.H. Ervin. 2010. Optimizing dosages of seaweed extractbased
cytokinin and zeatin riboside for improving creeping bentgrass heat tolerance.
Crop Sci. 50:316-320.

9. Goatley, Jr. J.M., X. Zhang, and K.L. Hensler. 2009. ‘Riviera’ bermudagrass
responses to turf blanket covers during winter. J. App. Turfgrass Sci. August.
10. Zhang, X., R.E. Schmidt, and E.H. Ervin. 2009. Impacts of salicylic acid on
bermudagrass freezing tolerance associated with abscisic acid and antioxidant
metabolism. Intl. Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. 11:893-902.
11. E.H. Ervin, A. LaBranche, and X. Zhang. 2009. Kentucky bluegrass and creeping
bentgrass responses to foliar glycine betaine at three ET replacement levels. Intl.
Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. 11:755-763.
12. Zhang, X. and E. H. Ervin. 2009. Physiological assessment of cool-season turfgrass
species and varieties under UV-B stress. HortScience 44:1785-1789.
13. Zhang, X. E.H. Ervin, G. Evanylo, and K. Haering. 2009. Biosolids impact on
hormone metabolism in drought stressed tall fescue. Crop Sci. 49, 1893-1901.
14. A. C. Feitolina de Vasconcelosi, X. Zhang, E.H. Ervin, and J. de Castro Kiehl. 2009.
Enzymatic antioxidant responses to biostimulants in maize and soybean subjected to
drought. Scientia Agricola 66(3):395-402.
15. Song, G., L. Han, X. Zhang, and Z. Gu. 2009. Effects of soil mechanical resistance
on root growth characteristics of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). J. Beijing
Forestry University. 31(1):60-65 (in Chinese, with English abstract).
16. Lu, W., H. Li, L. Wang, X. Bian, Q. Song, E.H. Ervin, and X. Zhang, 2008. Study on
the adaptability of seeded bermudagrass varieties in Baoding, China. J. Agric. Univ.
Hebei 31(6):65-68 (in Chinese, with English abstract).
17. Zhang, X. K. Wang, and E.H. Ervin. 2008. Bermudagrass freezing tolerance
associated with abscisic acid metabolism and dehydrin expression during cold
acclimation. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. Soc. 133:542-550.
18. Ervin, E. H. X. Zhang, and J. Roberts. 2008. Improving root development with
exogenous humic acid applications during Kentucky bluegrass sod establishment on
sand. Proc. 2 nd International ISHS Conference on Turfgrass Science and Management
for Sport Fields. Acta Horticulturae. 783: 317-322.
19. Zhang, X. and E.H. Ervin. 2008. Metabolic defense responses of bermudagrass
during acclimation to freezing stress – a review. Proc. 2 nd International ISHS
Conference on Turfgrass Science and Management for Sport Fields. Acta
Horticulturae. 783:181-194.
20. Zhang, X. and E. H. Ervin. 2008. Impacts of seaweed extract-based cytokinins and
zeatin riboside on creeping bentgrass heat tolerance. Crop Sci. 48:364-370.
21. Han, L.B., G.L. Song, and X. Zhang. 2008. Preliminary observation of physiological
responses of three turfgrass species to traffic stress. HortTechnology 18:139-143.
22. Ervin, E.H. and X. Zhang. 2007. Influence of sequential trinexapac-ethyl
applications on cytokinins content in creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and
hybrid bermudgrass. Crop Sci. 47:2145-2151.
23. Zhang, X., E.H. Ervin, and A.J. LaBranche. 2006. Metabolic defense responses of
seeded bermudagrass during acclimation to freezing stress. Crop Sci. 46:2598-2605.
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24. Shang, C., X. Zhang, G. C. Munshaw, and E.H. Ervin. 2006. Determination of the
fatty acid composition of turfgrass by high-performance liquid chromatography.
Commu. Soils Sci. Plant Anal. 37:53-61.
25. Munshaw, G.C., E.H. Ervin, C. Shang, S.D. Askew, X. Zhang, and R.W. Lemus.
2006. Influence of late-season Iron, nitrogen, and seaweed extract on fall color
retention and cold tolerance of four bermudagrass cultivars. Crop Sci. 46:273-283.
26. Zhang, X. and E.H. Ervin. 2005. Effects of methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid on
UV-B tolerance associated with free radical scavenging capacity in Poa pratensis.
Intl. Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. 10:910-915.
27. Zhang, X., E.H. Ervin, G. Evanylo, C. Sherony, and C. Peot. 2005. Biosolids impact
on tall fescue drought resistance. J. Resi. Sci. Tech. 2:174-180.
28. Ervin, E.H., X. Zhang, and R.E. Schmidt. 2005. Salicylic acid enhances recovery of
turfgrass sod after heat injury. Crop Sci. 45:240-244.
29. Zhang, X. and E.H. Ervin. 2005. The role of leaf pigment and antioxidant levels in
UV-B resistance of dark- and light-green Kentucky bluegrass cultivars. J. Amer. Soc.
Hort. Sci. 130-836-841.
30. Zhang, X. and E. H. Ervin. 2004. Cytokinin-containing seaweed and humic acid
extracts associated with creeping bentgrass leaf cytokinins and drought resistance.
Crop Sci. 44:1737-1745.
31. Ma, W. Q, D.R. Mao, F.S. Zhang, and X. Zhang. 2004. Survey and evaluation of
grain crop fertilization in Shandong province of China. Food, Agric. Environ. 2:320-
326.
32. Ervin, E.H., X. Zhang, S.D. Askew, and J.M. Goatley, Jr. 2004. Plant growth
regulator and iron programs for maintenance of shade creeping bentgrass tees.
HortTechnology 14:500-506.
33. Ervin, E.H., X. Zhang, and J. Fike. 2004. Reducing ultraviolet radiation damage on
Poa pratensis I: Antioxidant and colorant. HortScience 39:1465-1470.
34. Ervin, E.H., X. Zhang, and J. Fike. 2004. Reducing ultraviolet radiation damage on
Poa pratensis II: hormone and hormone-containing substance. HortScience 39:1471-
1474.
35. Ervin, E.H., X. Zhang, and J. Fike. 2004. Reducing ultraviolet radiation damage on
Poa pratensis III: Cultivar. HortScience 39:1475-1477.
36. Munshaw, G.C., X. Zhang, and E.H. Ervin. 2004. Effects of salinity on bermudagrass
cold hardiness. HortScience 39:420-423.
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