Shui-zhang Fei

General Information

Dr. Fei is an Assistant Professor of Horticulture and he has been a member of the ISU Department of Horticulture since January 2001. He received his B.S. in agronomy and M.S. in horticulture from Beijing Agricultural University (Now China Agricultural University) and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1997.

At Iowa State University, Dr. Fei has research and teaching responsibilities related to turfgrass science. He teaches Growth and Development of Perennial Grasses (Hort 551/Agron 551) and Horticultural Plant Breeding (Hort 425/525).

Dr. Fei's research interests are in turfgrass genetics and breeding. His long-term research goal is to develop cool-season turfgrass germplasms that are stress tolerant and require less input.

Current Research

Genetics and molecular biology of cold acclimation and freezing tolerance We are currently working on genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control winter hardiness in perennial ryegrass by using molecular markers. In addition, we are investigating gene expression profiles in response to cold stress by analyzing expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and by microarray technology in cold acclimated and non-cold acclimated perennial ryegrass. In order to understand the regulatory pathways leading to enhanced freezing tolerance, we have isolated and characterized a CBF (C-repeat Binding Factor)-like gene, which is a transcription factor involved in cold acclimation in perennial ryegrass. Transgenic Arabidopsis constitutively expressing this perennial ryegrass CBF gene exhibited enhanced freezing tolerance under noncold-acclimated conditions.

In collaboration with a colleague in China, we are now studying chromosome biology in turfgrass species, particularly chromosome instability. We hope to be able to generating important information that may significantly enhance our understanding of chromosome instability in plants by using both cytogenetic and molecular tools.

Turfgrass germplasm improvement Currently, we are interested in improving a warm season turfgrass species, buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm ]. as well as a cool season species, colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris L.). One aspect of our research is to characterize turfgrass germplasm using molecular tools. We are also a part of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program by testing the performance of newer cultivars of a number of important turfgrass species in Ames, Iowa.

Selected Publications

  • Fei S, E. Nelson. 2003. Estimation of pollen viability, shedding pattern and longevity of creeping bentgrass using artificial medium. Crop Science 43:2177-81.
  • Rajasekar S., S Fei and Nick E. Christians. 2006. Analysis of genetic diversity in rough bluegrass by using RAPD markers. Crop Science 46:162-167.
  • Li J. Y. Xu S. Fei, L. Li. 2006. Isolation, characterization and evolutionary analysis of resistance gene analogs in annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass and their hybrid. Physiologia Plantarum 126:627-638.
  • Huang J, Ma L, Yang F Fei S, Li L. 2006. 45S rDNA regions are chromosome fragile sites exhibiting spontaneous breakage in meristematic cells of root tips in Lolium species. Submitted.
  • Fei S, E. Nelson. 2004. Greenhouse evaluation of fitness-related traits in Roundup resistant transgenic creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). In Vitro Cellular Developmental Biology - Plant 40:266-273.
  • Fei S, T. Riordan, T Clemente and U Bishinoi. 2005. Regeneration of transgenic buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) with glyphosate resistance using particle bombardment. International Turfgrass Research Journal 10:550-554.
  • Li L., R. Li, S. Fei, and R. Qu. 2005. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture 83:223-229.
  • Dant L., N. Christians and S. Fei. 2005. Timing of Roundup® application critical when converting golf course greens and fareways to Roundup Ready® creeping bentgrass. International Turfgrass Research Journal 10:333-338.
  • Stephens L.C., S. Fei, Y Xiong and C. F. Hodges. 2006. Plants regenerated from embryo cultures of an apomictic clone of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L. 'Baron') are disproportionately sexual in origin. Euphytica 147:383-388.
  • Wieners R. R., S. Fei, R. C. Johnson. 2006. Characterization of a USDA Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) Core collection for reproductive mode and DNA content by flow cytometry. Genetic Resource and Crop Evolution 53:1531-1541.
  • Rajasekar S., S. Fei and N. E. Christians. 2007. Analysis of genetic diversity in colonial bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris L.) using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Genetic Resource and Crop Evolution 54:45-53.
  • Xiong Y, S Fei. 2006. Functional and phylogenetic analysis of a DREB/CBF-like gene in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Planta 224:878-888.
  • Xiong Y., S. Fei, E. C. Brummer, K. J. Moore, R.E. Barker, G. Jung, J. Curley, S. E. Warnke. 2006. QTL analysis of fiber components and crude protein in an annual × perennial ryegrass interspecific hybrid population. Molecular Breeding 18:327-340.
  • Xiong Y, S. Fei, E. C. Brummer, R. Arora, R. E. Barker, G. Jung, S.E. Warnke. 2007. QTL analysis of winter hardiness in an annual × perennial ryegrass interspecific hybrid population. Molecular Breeding 19:125-136.

Shui-zhang Fei Bio