Fields, J. M. Fannin and Y. Chen. 10/1/2019 to 7/31/2022. Increasing labor efficiency in Louisiana’s nursery industry through benchmarking current labor practices. Louisiana Dept. Agri. & Forestry Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. $35,600.

Chen, Y., R. Diaz, and D. Ring. 9/1/2017 to 8/31/2021. LSU AgCenter sub-award to Texas A&M Univ. “Systemic strategies to manage crapemyrtle bark scale, an emerging exotic pest”. USDA NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative Grant Program. Total $3.4 M, leading project director: M. Gu. LSU AgCenter sub-award amount $340,469.

Chen, Y., K. Fontenot, J. Beasley, J. Stagg, and J. Kuehny. 10/15/2017 to 8/15/2020. Evaluation of tea, Camellia sinensis, as a new specialty crop for Louisiana. Louisiana Dept. Agri. & Forestry Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. $70,765.

Owings, A. and Y. Chen. 8/1/2017 to 7/30/2018. Support for germplasm collection and evaluation of tea, Camellia sinensis at the Hammond Research Station. Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association Research and Scholarship Foundation. $3,000.

Chen, Y. 8/1/2016 to 2/28/2018. Crape myrtle bark scale in container production and chilli thrips efficacy studies. Southern Region IR-4. $17,500.

Chen, Y. 2016. Unrestricted gift for crape myrtle bark scale field management study. Syngenta USA. $6,000.

Chen, Y. 2016. Unrestricted gift for crape myrtle bark scale field management study. OHP. $2,000.

Chen, Y. as part of a team led by Fernandez, T. et al. 10/1/2015 to 9/30/2020. Water management and quality for ornamental crop production and health (as Louisiana representative). USDA NIFA Multistate Working Group NC-1186.

Adamczyk, J., A. Witcher, G. Fain, and Y. Chen. 3/1/2015 to 8/15/2016. Fate of substrate-applied neonicotinoids in container substrates for commercial nursery crop production. Horticultural Research Institute. $35,100.

Beasley,J., Y. Chen, B. Pemberton, J. McDonald, J. Stagg, and D. Zhang. 2015 (trip occurred October 11-24, 2016). Soil, irrigation, and pest management in tea production under drought conditions. Approved as Team #4 of USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Scientific Exchange Program. Travel costs covered by the program.

Chen, Y. 7/1/2015 to 6/30/2016. Efficacy of selected products for armored scale (camellia tea scale) in containers production of camellia. Southern Region IR-4 Program. $10,000.

Gu, M., M. Merchant, G. Knox, Y. Chen, A. Owings, and E. Vafaie. 9/1/2014 to 8/31/2017. Integrated pest management strategies for crape myrtle bark scale, a new exotic pest. USDA NIFA Crop Protection and Pest Management Program. Total $244,478. LSU AgCenter sub-award $50,111.

Chen, Y. 7/1/2014 to 6/30/2015. Efficacy of new management tools for armored scale in nursery container production (magnolia white scale on magnolia and tea scale on sasanqua). Southern Region IR-4 Program. $10,000.

Chen, Y., S. Arthurs, H. Khachatryan, A. Owings, and D. Ring. 2013 to 2015. Alternative approaches to managing chilli thrips, an emerging pest for ornamental nursery production. USDA Pest Management Alternative Program. Total $199,823. LSU AgCenter lead.

Chen, Y. 9/1/2012 to 8/31/2017. Examining nutrient retention and leaching potential of alternative soilless substrate used for container-grown crops. Collaborative Agreement with USDA ARS Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural Research Laboratory, Poplarville, MS. Other collaborators included J. Adamczyk(USDA), G. Fain, E. Blythe, and J. Oliver. $20,000.

Chen, Y. 7/1/2013 to 6/30/2014. Crop safety with new thrips managing products. Southern Region IR-4 Program. $7,000.

Knox, G. Y. Chen, M. Gu, and D. Creech. 2013. Ornamental plant drought tolerance, germplasm exchange, and biopesticide research and production. Approved as Team #6 of USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Scientific Exchange Program. Travel costs covered by the program.

Chen, Y. 2012. Unrestricted gift for Topflor®G and Cutless.33G studies. SePRO Corporation. $9,600.

Chen, Y. 2012 to 2013. Crop safety with new thrips managing products. Southern Region IR-4 Program. $7,500.

Robbins, J., M. Gu, G. Bi, and Y. Chen. 2012. High tunnel production in China. Approved as Team #5 of USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Scientific Exchange Program. Travel costs covered by the program.

Chen, Y. and R. Story. 2011 to 2012. A demonstration program for western flower thrips management with biopesticides in bedding plant production. IR-4 Biopesticide Competitive Research Program. $25,000.

Chen, Y. 2011 to 2012. Efficacy and crop safety with new thrips managing products. Southern Region IR-4 Program. $14,000.

Chen, Y. 2010 to 2011. Crop safety of new thrips management products. Southern Region IR-4 Program. $7,500.

Bracy, R., A. Owings, and Y. Chen. 2010. Support for Commercial Ornamental Horticulture Research and Extension Activities at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station. Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association (LNLA). $20,000.

Chen, Y. as part of a team led by Fernandez, T. et al. 10/1/2010 to 9/30/2015. Water management and quality for ornamental crop production and health (as Louisiana representative). USDA NIFA Multistate Working Group NC-1186.

Chen, Y., R. Story, R. Hinson, and A. Owings. 2009 to 2013. Western flower thrips resistance management in greenhouse bedding plant production through integration of alternative control strategies. USDA Pest Management Alternative Program. $189,932.

Chen, Y. 2009 to 2010. Managing western flower thrips with biopesticides in bedding plant production. IR-4 Biopesticide Competitive Research Program. $12,000.

Chen, Y. 7/1/2007 to 6/30/2009. PGR research studies with cyclanilide and other new branching agents. Southern Region IR-4 Program. $22,500.

Chen, Y. 2007. Unrestricted gift for “A study on K-Phite as a biofungicide”. Agra Quest Inc. $3,500.

Chen, Y. 2007. Unrestricted gift for daylily rust study. Nature Industries Inc. $850.

Chen, Y. 2007. Unrestricted gift for western flower thrips biopesticide study (partial support in addition to IR-4). Novaenzyme Inc. $1,500.

Chen, Y., R. Regina, D. Pollet. 9/1/2007 – 8/31/2008. Establishing a phenology research system to assist landscape IPM. Louisiana EPSCoR. $10,000.

Chen, Y., R. Bracy, and R. Rosendale. 7/1/2006 to 6/30/2007. Western flower thrips management with new products. Southern Region IR-4 Program. $28,000.

Chen, Y. 7/1/2006 to 6/30/2007. PGR research studies with current and new growth retardants. Southern Region IR-4 Program. $10,000.

Bracy, R. and Y. Chen. 2006. Understory trees for the shade & understory garden. Louisiana Dept. of Ag. & Forestry. $10,000.

Chen, Y. 8/1/2005 – 7/31/2006. Western flower thrips management in impatiens and petunia production. Southern Region IR-4 Program. $9,000.

Bracy, R. and Y. Chen. 2005 – 2008. Evaluating native and ornamental species for urban landscape nutrient runoff mitigation. Lake Pontchartrain Foundation Pontchartrain Restoration Program. $61,934.

Chen, Y. and R. Bracy. 2005. Establishing research area for evaluating new groundcover varieties under full-sun condition. Metro Area Horticulture Foundation, New Orleans, LA. $450.

2017 – Present Professor. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Hammond Research Station

2011 – 2017 Associate Professor. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Hammond Research Station

2005 – 2010 Assistant Professor. Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Hammond Research Station

April – July 2004 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California - Riverside, Riverside, CA

2000 – 2003 Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

1995 – 2000 Research Associate, Beijing Landscape and Gardening Research Institute, Beijing, China

1992 – 1995 Research Assistant, Beijing Landscape and Gardening Research Institute, Beijing, China

Wang, Z., Y. Chen, and R. Diaz. 2019. Thermal Tolerance and Prediction of Northern Distribution of the Crapemyrtle Bark Scale (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae). Environmental Entomology, nvz019, https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvz019

Wang, Z., Y. Chen, R. Diaz, R.A. Laine. 2019. Physiology of crapemyrtle bark scale, Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae (Kuwana), associated with seasonally altered cold tolerance. J. Insect Physiology. V112:1-8.

Chen, Y. and C. Simpson. 2018. Systems approach to ecophysiology and instrumentation: technology and instrument demonstration. ASHS Annual Conference (Abstr.) HortSci. 53(9):S3

D. Zhang., Y. Chen, B. Pemberton, J. Stagg, and J. McDonald. Growing tea as a cash crop in the Southeastern United States. HortSci. 53(9):S218.

Chen, Y., E. Vafsie, M. Merchant, and M. Gu. 2018. Managing crapemyrtle bark scale infestation in container production with non-neonicotinoid insecticides. HortSci. 53(9)S275.

Chen, Y., K. Fontenot, J. Beasley, J. Kuehny, and E. Bush. 2018. Louisiana consumer demand and willingness-to-pay for U.S.-grown tea. HortSci. 53(9)S466.

Pemberton, B., Y. Chen, J. Stagg, D. Zhang, and J. McDonald. 2018 The changing world of tea production - the potential impact of a scientific exchange in China on the U.S. tea production industry. HortSci. 53(9):S218 (Abstr.)

Rice, A. and Y. Chen. 2018. Developing crapemyrtle pollen sampling methods for a neonicotinoid pathway study. IPPS-SR Annual Conference Proceeding. Proc IPPS 68:A-B.

Knox, G., M. Gu, M. Merchant, E. Vafaie, Y. Chen, and J. Robbins. 2018. Biology and potential impacts of the emerging pest, crapemyrtle bark scale. SNA Research Conference Proceeding 62:40-43.

Chen, Y., M. Samuel-Foo, and J. Quebedeaux. 2017. Crapemyrtle bark scale management with insect growth regulators and other non-neonicotinoid insecticides. HortScience 52(9) (Suppliment)S37 (Abstr.)

Chen, Y. J. Beasley, J. Stagg, B. Pemberton, D. Zhang, and J. McDonald. 2017 Culture, cultivation, and collaboration - what we learned from a scientific exchange program on tea in China. HortScience 52(9):S37.

Gu, M., H. Dou, E. Vafaie, M. Merchant, A. Wang, Y. Chen, and J. Robbins. 2017. Acanthococcus lagerstroemia, an emerging potential threat to Ficus carica. HortScience 5299):S83.

Stagg, J. and Y. Chen. 2017. Results from the first year of an olive varietal evaluation in Louisiana. HortScience 52(9):S349.

Chen, Y., K. Fontenot, and D. Ring. 2017. Survey says: arthropod pests of tea plants, Camellia sinensis, grown in the southeastern U.S. HortScience 52(9)S362

Held, D.W., D. Carroll, B. Layton, and Y. Chen. 2017. Protecting Pollinators in Urban Areas - Reducing Hazards from Pesticide Use. Yard and Garden Series. Alabama A&M and Auburn University, ANR-2420.

Held, D.W., Y. Chen, G. Knox, B. Pemberton, D. Carroll, and B. Layton. 2017. Protecting Pollinators in the Urban Areas - Use of Flowering Plants. Yard and Garden Series. Alabama A&M and Auburn University, ANR-2419.

Held, D.W., D. Carroll, Y. Chen, and B. Layton. 2017. Protecting pollinators in Urban Areas – Pollinator ecology. Yard and Garden Series. Alabama Cooperative Ext. System (Alabama A&M Univ. and Auburn Univ.) May 2017. ANR-2387.

Held, D.W., D. Carroll, Y. Chen, and B. Layton. 2017. Protecting pollinators in Urban Areas – Safe use of integrated pest management. Yard and Garden Series. Alabama Cooperative Ext. System (Alabama A&M Univ. and Auburn Univ.) May 2017. ANR-2409.

Chen, Y. and A. Owings. 2017. Insect and disease challenges for growing the tea plant: Camellia sinensis. LA Agri. LA Agri. Summer 2017. http://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/lbenedict/articles/page1503497811501

Chen, Y. and A. Owings. 2017. Managing crapemyrtle bark scale with low-impact options. LA Agri. Winter 2017. http://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/lbenedict/articles/page1491329582045Chen, Y. and J. Stagg. 2017. A visit to tea culture and research in China. J. LA State Hort. Soc. Proc. 12:15-16.

Chen, Y., M. Samuel-Foo, and M. Gu. 2017. Controlling crapemyrtle bark scale using non-neonicotinoid insecticides. J. LA State Hort. Soc. Proc. 12:31-35.

Wang, Z., Y. Chen, M. Gu, E. Vafaie, M. Merchant, and R. Diaz. 2016. Crapemyrtle bark scale: a new threat for crapemyrtle, a popular landscape plant in the U.S. Insects 7:78. DOI:10.3390/insects7040078.Aristizábal, L.F., S.P. Arthurs, Y. Chen, R.H. Cherry, R. Cave. 2016. Efficacy of biorational insecticides applied against chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis, infesting roses under nursery conditions. Journal of Applied Entomology 27. DOI:10.1111/jen.12340

Chen, Y., A.D. Owings, and J. Quebedeaux. 2016. Responses of five landscape shrubs to a granular plant growth regulator over three years of observation. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 61:109-113.Chen, Y., R.R. Bracy, and J.S. Beasley. 2015. Optimum N and P rates for greenhouse production of vegetative coleus using constant liquid feed. J. Plant Nutri. DOI:10.1080/01904167.2015.1077970

Aristizábal L., S.P. Arthurs, C. Morales-Reyes, and Y. Chen. 2015. Biopesticide trial for chilli thrips on Knock Out rose (2014). Arthropod Management Tests 40:G2. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/amt/tsv210.

Chen, Y., A. Witcher, and A.D. Owings. 2015. Rice hull ash as substrate amendment for growing Double-red Knock Out^® rose. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 60:2-10.Chen, Y., R.N. Story, and M. Samuel-Foo. 2014. Nitrogen and phosphorous fertilization affect western flower thrips population level and injury on susceptible and resistant impatiens. Adv. Crop Sci. and Technol. DOI:10.4172/2329-8863.1000145

Chen, Y., R.E. Strahan, and R.P. Bracy. 2014. Organic mulch and halosulfuron placement affect yellow nutsedge control and ornamental plant quality in landscape beds. J. Environ. Hort. 32:27-33.

Chen, Y., R.P. Bracy, and A.D. Owings. 2014. Effect of Cutless.33G on landscape shrubs used as hedge. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 59:287-291.Chen, Y., R. Strahan, and R. Bracy. 2013. Effects of mulching and pre-emergence herbicide placement on yellow nutsedge control and ornamental plant quality in landscape beds. HortTechnology 23:651-658.

Chen, Y. and J. Samtani. 2013. Good genes from Asia – contribution and opportunities of Asiatic origin crops to U.S. horticulture, an introduction to the workshop. HortScience 48:1072.

Chen, Y., R.P. Bracy, and A.D. Owings. 2013. Responses of Knock Out^® roses to Topflor^®G applied at liner transplant. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 58:152-156.Gao, J., M. Gu, G. Niu, and Y. Chen. 2012. Effects of salinity on three Pennisetum cultivars. J. Food, Agriculture, and Environ. 10(3&4):132-134.

Chen, Y., A. Owings, R. Bracy, and J. Quebedeaux. 2012. Managing Knock Out^® roses and loropetalum growth in the landscape with Cutless.33G. 2012. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 57:153-155.

Chen, Y., A. Owings, R. Bracy, and J. Quebedeaux. 2012. Growth regulation in container production with Topflor^®G. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 57:162-166.

Owings, a., Y. Chen, R. Rosendale, R. Bracy, and J. Quebedeaux. 2012. LSU AgCenter People’s Choice landscape award winners – 2011. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 57:209-211.

Chen, Y., A. Owings, and R. Bracy. 2012. Fertilizer regimes during production affect coleus growth and quality in the landscape. J. LA State Hort. Soc. Proc. 7:11-15.

Chen, Y., A. Owings, R. Bracy, and M. Gu. 2012. Effects of organic soil amendment and nitrogen application rate on the growth and establishment of herbaceous ornamentals in the landscape. J. LA State Hort. Soc. Proc. 7:5-8.

Chen, Y., R.P. Bracy, A.D. Owings, and J.P. Quebedeaux. 2011. Controlled-release fertilizer type and rate affect landscape establishment of seven herbaceous perennials. HortTechnology 21:336-342.

Story, R.N., Panida Thatujirangkul, M.J. Murry, and Y. Chen. 2011. Evaluation of insecticides for control of western flower thrips (2010). Arthropod Management Tests. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4182/amt.2011.L6

Story, R.N., Panida Thatujirangkul, M.J. Murry, and Y. Chen. 2011. Evaluation of insecticides for control of four western flower thrips populations (2010). Arthropod Management Tests. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4182/amt.2011.L7

Chen, Y., R. Story, R. Hinson, and A. Owings. 2011. Effects of plant age and cultivar on western flower thrips damage threshold for Impatiens wallerana. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 56:68-71.

Chen, Y., A. Owings, and R. Bracy. 2011. Fertilizer regimes during production affect coleus growth and quality in the landscape. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 56:322-327.

Owings, A., Y. Chen, R. Rosendale, and R. Bracy. 2011. LSU AgCenter People’s Choice Landscape Award winners – spring 2010. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 56:358-360.

Blythe, E.K., W.C. Dunwell, E.W. Bush, J.W. Adelberg, A. Arnold, R.P. Bracy, Y. Chen, D. Fare, W. Klingerman, P. Knight, G. Know, A.V. LaBude, J. Lindstrom, A.X. Niemiera, A. D. Owings, J Robbins, J.M. Ruter, and T.P. West. 2011. Nursery crop and landscape systems plant evaluations by SERA-27 in the southeastern U.S.: 2010 update. The Intl. Plant Propagators’ Soc. (IPPS) Combined Proc. Vol. 60:607-609.

Owings, A., R. Bracy, Y. Chen, R. Rosendale, and J. Quebedeaux. 2011. LSU AgCenter landscape horticulture People's Choice Award. J. LA State Hort. Soc. Proc. 6:25-26.

Chen, Y. and R.P. Bracy. 2010. Management of daylily rust with K-phite, Actinovate, and MilStop. Plant Disease Management Report 4:OT015 http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/trial/pd...

Owings, A., Y. Chen, R. Rosendale, and R. Bracy. 2010. People’s Choice Award winners from the 2009 LSU AgCenter’s Landscape Horticulture Field Day. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 55:73-75.

Chen, Y., R. Bracy, and A. Owings. 2010. Effect of ABA, BA, and GA on post-production quality of ivy geraniums. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 55:272-279.

Chen, Y., R. Bracy, and A. Owings. 2010. Effect of BA, GA and MCP on post-production quality of New Guinea impatiens. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 55:286-291.

Chen, Y., R.P. Bracy, and A. Owings. 2009. Nitrogen and phosphorous removal by ornamental and wetland plants in a greenhouse recirculation research system. HortScience 44:1704-1711.

Chen, Y., R.P. Bracy, and A. Owings. 2009. Growth regulation of loropetalum and azalea in landscape beds. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 54:255-260.

Owings, A., R. Bracy, and Y. Chen. 2009. New liriope cultivars: landscape observations from 2008. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 54:294-296.

Chen, Y., R.P. Bracy, and A.D. Owings. 2009. Impact of PGRs on shelf life of geraniums grown in pots. J. LA State Hort. Soc. Proc. 4:1-4.

Chen, Y., R.P. Bracy, and A.D. Owings. 2009. ‘Amelia Rose’ azalea branching habit is affected by PGR applications. J. LA State Hort. Soc. Proc.4:16-19.

Chen, Y., R.L. Parish, D.J. Merhaut, and R.P. Bracy. 2008. Description of an improved hydroponic research system for screening plants for nutrient abatement in constructed wetlands. Appl. Engineering in Agri. 24: 697-702.

Chen, Y., R. Bracy, and A. Owings. 2008. ‘Amelia Rose’ azalea branching habit affected by PGR Applications. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 53:2-6.

Chen, Y., R. Bracy, and A. Owings. 2008. Impact of various PGRs on shelf life of geraniums grown in pots. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 53:118-122.

Chen, Y., R. Bracy, and D. Ferrin. 2008. Daylily rust prevention and biofungicides. J. LA State Hort. Soc. Proc. 3:1-5.

Chen, Y., R. Bracy, and R. Rosendale. 2008. Establishing herbaceous perennials in landscape plantings. J. LA State Hort. Soc. Proc. 3:5-9.

Chen, Y. and C. Meister. 2008. Height control of herbaceous perennials with uniconazole. J. LA State Hort. Soc. Proc. 3:9-13.

Strahan, R. E., Y. Chen, J.S. Beasley. 2008. Preemergence herbicide programs for container grown liriope. Proc. Southern Weed Sci. Soc. 61:133.

Strahan, R.E., Y. Chen, J. S. Beasley. 2008. Perennial landscape plant tolerance to overhead applications of sulfosulfuron. Proc. Southern Weed Sci. Soc. 61:132.

Chen, Y., G.P. Opit, V.M. Jonas, K.A. Williams, J.R. Nechols, and D.C. Margolies. 2007. Twospotted spider mite population level, distribution, and damage on ivy geranium in response to different nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization regimes. J. Econo. Entomol. 100:1821-1830.

Chen, Y. and K.A. Williams. 2006. Quantifying western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande) (Thysanoptera Thripidae) damage on ivy geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) with Adobe^® Photoshop^TM and Scion Image^® software. J. Kansas Entomol. Soc. 79:83-87.

Chen, Y. and C. Meister. 2006. Height control of four herbaceous perennials with uniconazole in container production. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 51:332-335.

Chen, Y., R. Strahan, and R. Bracy. 2006. Evaluation of preemergence herbicides for yellow nutsedge control in herbaceous perennial landscape beds. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 51:427-430.

Chen, Y., R. Bracy, and R. Rosendale. 2006. Nutrient requirements of herbaceous perennials in newly established landscape plantings. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. Proc. 51:446-450.

Opit, G. P., Y. Chen, K.A. Williams, J.R. Nechols, and D.C. Margolies. 2005. Plant age, fertilization, and biological control affect damage caused by twospotted spider mites on ivy geranium: development of action threshold. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 130:159-166.

Chen, Y., K.A. Williams, B.K. Harbaugh, and M.L. Bell. 2004. Effects of tissue phosphorus and nitrogen in Impatiens wallerana on western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) population levels and plant damage. HortScience 39:545-550.

Ph. D. 2003 Horticulture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

(with Graduate Certificate in Entomology)

M. S. 2000 Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China

B. S. 1992 Horticulture, Beijing Agricultural University, Beijing, China

Integrated pest management (IPM) in ornamental plant production and landscape management, especially the use of alternative approaches such as cultural and biological controls to manage arthropod pests;

Germplasm collection, propagation, cultural management, and processing of Camellia sinensis as a new specialty crop for farmers in Louisiana and surrounding Gulf states.

Application of plant growth regulators in managing ornamental plant growth and stress tolerance in both nursery production and landscapes;

Evaluation and application of selected Cajun Prairie grass and forbs in urban landscapes for improved environmental services and reduced mowing and associated costs.