Li Fangdong

Prof.  Li Fangdong

Organization: Research Institute of Non-timber Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry

Research category: Forest Tree Genetics and Breeding

Research field: Non-timber forestry

E-mail: Lifangdong66@163.com

Main work

Prof. Li Fangdong (1963- ), male, Ph. D, second-level professor, doctoral supervisor, an esteemed expert who receives a special allowance from the State Council. As the chief scientist at the Chinese Academy of Forestry and a senior chief expert at the Research Institute of Non-timber Forestry, he has dedicated over 35 years to the breeding of new non-timber forestry varieties and the development of more efficient cultivation technologies. Throughout his eminent career, Prof. Li Fangdong has directed twenty-two significant projects, receiving support from eminent bodies including the National Key R&D Project of China and the National Natural Science Foundation. His critical involvement has led to the approval of 22 advanced and new plant varieties, the establishment of 26 technical regulation, and the achievement of 12 national invention patents. His contributions to academia are substantial, with over 100 scholarly papers and 6 monographs to his credit.

Prof. Li Fangdong's research has culminated in groundbreaking advancements in the improved varieties of Prunus domestica × armeniaca, successfully bred in Xinjiang. These varieties have been extensively cultivated over an area of 150,000 mu across Aksu, Kashgar, and Hotan, entering their full fruit-bearing phase. This initiative has resulted in a commercial fruit yield of 1-2 tons per mu per year, fetching a market price of 15-25 yuan per kilogram of fresh fruit directly from the garden, and generating a net income exceeding 10,000 yuan per mu annually. Furthermore, this project has provided employment for over 40,000 migrant workers each year. In recognition of these outstanding achievements, Prof. Li Fangdong has been awarded one second prize of the National Awards on Science and Technology Progress, one first prize of Provincial and Ministerial Science and Technology Progress Award, and four additional provincial and ministerial awards.

Key research projects

  • National Key R&D project of China "New varieties creation of high quality-yield and precision cultivation technology of major non-timber forestry", Grant number 2022YFD2200400, 2022.11~2027.10.

  • National Key R&D project of China "Efficient breeding technology and variety creation of special non-timber forestry", Grant number 2019YFD1001200, 2019.5~2022.12.

  • National Natural Science Foundation of China "Molecular mechanism of efficient accumulation and biosynthesis of α-linolenic acid in Eucommia ulmoides Oliver", Grant number 31600548,  2024.1~2017.12.

  • Fundamental  Research Funds for the Central Non-profit Research Institution of CAF "On key technologies for improving the quality and efficiency of major non-timber forestry", Grant number CAFYBB2017ZA004, 2016.12~2021.11.

Awards & achievements

  • Breeding of high-yield gum varieties and orchard-based efficient intensive cultivation technology of Eucommia ulmoides, First Prize of Henan Province Science and Technology Progress Award, 2012.

  • Innovation, integration and industrialization of technology system for efficient utilization of gingkgo etc. industrial raw materials trees, Second Prize of National Science and Technology Progress Award, 2011.

  • Breeding of excellent clones of high-yield gum of Eucommia ulmoides 'Huazhong No. 6-9', Second Prize of Liang Xi Forestry Science and Technology Progress Award, 2007.

Published articles & books

  • Wang Liyuan, Li Huawei, Suo Yujing, Han Weijuan, Diao Songfeng, Mai Yini, Wang Yiru, Yuan Jiaying, Ye Lingshuai, Pu Tingting, Zhang Qi, Sun Peng*, Li Fangdong*, Fu Jianmin*. 2022. Effects of different chemicals on sexual regulation in persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) flowers. Frontier in Plant Science, 13: 876086.

  • Wang Liyuan, Li Huawei, Sun Peng*, Suo Yujing, Han Weijuan, Diao Songfeng, Mai Yini, Li Fangdong*, Fu Jianmin*. 2021. Effects of Plant Growth Regulators, Soil Moisture Contents, and Carbon/Nitrogen Ratios on Sex Differentiation in Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) Flowers. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 40(3): 1121-1138.

  • Suo Yujing, Sun, Peng; Cheng Huihui, Han, Weijuan, Diao Songfeng, Li Huawei, Mai Yini Zhao Xing, Li Fangdong*, Fu Jianmin*. 2020. A high-quality chromosomal genome assembly of Diospyros oleifera Cheng. Gigascience, 9(1):1-10.

  • Li Fangdong, Wuyun Tana, Zhu Gao-Pu. Cultivation operative technology of kernel-apricot. Beijing: China Forestry Publishing House. 2019.

Other results   

  • Li Fangdong, Du Hongyan, Du Lanying et al. Improved variety 'Huazhong No.7', China S-SV-EU-029-2019.

  • Li Fangdong, Du Hongyan, Du Lanying et al. Improved variety 'Huazhong No.8', China S-SV-EU-030-2019.

  • Li Fangdong, Du Hongyan, Yang Shaobin et al. Improved variety 'Fengweimeigui', Henan S-SV-PDA-009-2007.

  • Li Fangdong, Du Hongyan, Yang Shaobin et al. Improved variety 'Weidi', Henan S-SV-PDA-010-2007.