Rice and bioenergy crops
Research interests are in the epidemiology and management of rice and bioenergy crop diseases. Research activities center on rice 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.

Zhou, X. G., Everts, K. L., and Bruton, B. D. 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 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 Horticulturae (ISHS) 871:535-542.

Zhou, X. G., and Everts, K. L. 2008. First report of Alternaria alternata 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 ofFusarium 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.