Zhang Yong

Prof.  Zhang Yong

Organization: Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry

Research category: Forest Tree Genetics and Breeding

Research field: Genetic improvement and resistance selection of Casuarina spp. and Handroanthus spp.

E-mail: zhangyongritf@caf.ac.cn

Main work

Prof. Zhang Yong has been working mainly on the important tree species Casuarina for coastal shelter belts and ecological restoration of difficult sites since he joined the Research Institute of Tropical Forestry in 2002. His research fields include introduction, collection and evaluation of germplasm resources, cross breeding, new varieties selection against adverse circumstances (disease, strong wind, saline-alkali, drought), development and application of molecular markers, afforestation techniques, etc. During his research career, he has successively led more than 10 research projects, including the International Foundation for Science, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Non-profit Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Foestry, Guangdong Forestry Science and Technology Innovation Project. More than thirty academic papers as the first or corresponding author have been published in high-reputation international or national journal like The Plant Journal, Frontier in Plant Science, and a monograph "Casuarina Research and Utilization" was formally published in 2023. In addition, he has participated in the formulation of 2 industrial standards and 2 local standards on Casuarina cultivation and breeding as a main drafter, and have obtained a new variety right of Casuarina.

Key research projects

  • Demonstration and extension of bacterial wilt-resistant new varieties "Duanzha No.34" of Casuarina equisetifolia, Jan. 2024-Dec. 2026, Forestry and Grassland Reform and Development Funds of Central Budget.

  • Effects of pollen dispersal on reproductive success and Progeny fitness in C.equisetifolia, Jan. 2018-Dec. 2021, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)

  • Effects of distance and close hybridization and pollen competition on progeny fitness in C.equisetifolia, Jan. 2015-Dec. 2018, NSFC.

  • Research on reproductive biology of C.equsetifolia, July 2010-July 2013, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Non-profit Research Institute of CAF.

  • Research on artificial hybrid breeding technique of C.equisetifolia, Sep. 2007-Sep. 2009, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Non-profit Research Institute of CAF.

  • Improving drought resistance of C.equisetifolia by mycorrhizal fungi, Jan. 2006-Sep. 2009, Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province.

  • Effects of ectomycorrihizal fungi on resistance to Casuarina bacterial wilt, Jan. 2005-Dec. 2006, International Foundation for Science.

Awards & achievements

  • Science and Technology Progress Award of Hainan province "Key Techniques for Ecological Restoration and Reconstruction of Coastal Zone in Hainan Island", Second prize

Published articles & books

Published Paper:

  • Zhang Yong, Wei Yongcheng, Meng Jingxiang, et al. 2023. Chromosome-scale de novo genome assembly and annotation of three representative Casuarina species: C.equisetifolia, C. glauca, and C.cunninghamiana. The Plant Journal, doi: 10111/tpj.16201.

  • Wang Yujiao, Zhang Yong*, Wei Yongcheng, et al. 2023. Characterization of HAK protein family in Casuarina equisetifolia and the positive regulatory role of CeqHAK6 and CeqHAK 11genes in response to salt tolerance. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13:1084337.

  • Meng Jingxiang, Zhang Yong*, Wei Yongcheng, et al. 2023. Identification of commercial cultivars in the Tabebuia alliance using genotyping-by-sequencing. Forests, 14:271.

  • Ai Di, Wang Yujiao, Wei Yongcheng, Zhang Yong*. 2022. Comprehensive identification and expression analyses of the SnRK gene family in Casuarina equisetifolia in response to salt stress. BMC Plant Biology, 22:572.

  • Zhang Yong*, Nigel England, Linda Broadhurst et al. 2022. Gene flow and recruitment patterns among disjunct populations of Allocasuarina verticillate (Lam.) L. A. S. Johnson. 2022. 13:1152.

  • Wang Yujiao, Zhang Yong*, Fan Chunjie, et al. 2021. Genome-wide analysis of MYB transcription factors and their responses to salt stress in Casuarina equisetifolia. BMC Plant Biology, 21:328.

  • Li Zhen, Zhang Yong*, Zhong Chonglu, et al. 2021. Development and characterization of EST-SSR markers for genetic analysis of Casuarina species. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 33(4):425-434.

  • Zhang Yong, Hu Pan, Zhong Chonglu*, et al. 2020. Analyses of genetic diversity, differentiation and geographic origin of natural provenances and land race of Casuarina equisetifolia based on EST-SSR markers, Forests, 13:1152.

  • Yu wei, Zhang Yong*, Zhong Chonglu, et al. 2020. Molecular markers reveal low genetic diversity in Casuarina equisetifolia

  • Zhang Yong, Zhong Chonglu*, Han Qiang, et al. 2016. Reproductive biology and breeding system in Casuarina equisetifolia (Casuarinaceae)-implication for genetic improvement.

Book

  • Zhong C L, Zhang Y, Ma H B, Jiang Q B, Wei Y C, Meng J X, Chen Y, Wei L. Casuarina Research and Utilization. Beijing: China Forestry Publishing House, 2023.

Other results

  • New variety right: "Duanzha 34" Casuarina genus (NO. 20180191)

  • Industrial standard: Technical regulations on cultivation of Casuarina seedling and trees (LY/T 3146-2019)

  • Industrial standard: Guidelines for the conduct of tests for distinctness, uniformity and stability-Casuarina (Casuarina Adans.) (LY/T 3334-2022)

  • Local standard: Code practice on integrated management of main diseases and pests of Casuarina spp. (DB44/T 2414-2023)

  • Local standard: Technical regulations on cultivation of Casuarina seedling and trees (DB44/T 1235-2013)