Xinshun Qu, Ph.D.

Areas of Interest

Potato germplasm evaluation and improvement; genetic basis of potato resistance to diseases; population biology and molecular diagnosis of potato pathogens; soil microbial communities associated with soil-borne potato diseases; integrated management of potato diseases

Program Interests

My research focuses on potatoes and potato diseases.  We evaluate potato germplasm and identify potato varieties/breeding clones that have adaptation to Pennsylvania potato growing regions and have qualities that are suitable for either processing or tablestock use.  We collaborate with other potato breeders and scientists in the eastern US to develop new potato varieties for eastern US markets using conventional breeding methods and contemporary techniques of marker-assisted selection and genome editing.  We are involved in collaborative projects to study the genetic resistance of potatoes to diseases, map resistance genes/QTLs, manipulate the genetic basis of resistance and develop disease resistant varieties.  We work on the control of potato diseases such as late blight, early blight, common scab and powdery scab through host resistance, chemicals, biocontrol, green manure and crop rotation.  We develop and use molecular tools to quantify soil-borne potato pathogens in field soils for better understanding of disease epidemiology.  We provide Pennsylvania potato growers and industry yearly with updated potato variety and potato disease management information.

Recent Publications

De Jong WS, Halseth DE, Plaisted RL, Wang XH, Perry KL, Qu XS, Paddock KM, Falise M, Christ BJ, and Porter GA.  2017.  Lamoka, a variety with excellent chip color out of cold storage and resistance to the golden cyst nematode.  American Journal of Potato Research 94:148-152.

Haynes, K.G. and Qu, X.S.  2016.  Late blight and early blight resistance from Solanum hougasii introgressed into Solanum tuberosum.  American Journal of Potato Research 93: 86-95.

Haynes, K.G., Yencho, G.C., Clough, M.E., Henninger, M.R., Qu, X.S., Christ, B.J., Peck, M.W., Porter, G.A., Hutchinson, C.M., Gergela, D.M., Halseth, D.E., Menasha, S.R., and Sieczka, J.B.  2015.  Peter Wilcox: a new purple-skin, yellow-flesh fresh market potato cultivar with moderate resistance to powdery scab.  American Journal of Potato Research 92: 573-581.

Haynes, K.G., Gergela, D.M., Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., Yencho, G.C., Clough, M.E., Henninger, M.R., Halseth, D.E., Porter, G.A., Ocaya, P.C., Zotarelli, L., Menasha, S.R., Christ, B.J., Wanner, L.A., and Hutchinson, C.M.  2014.  Elkton: A new potato variety with resistance to internal heat necrosis and hollow heart and suitable for chipping directly from the field in the southern United States.  American Journal of Potato Research 91:269-276.

Wanner, L.A., Kirk, W.W., and Qu, X.S.  2014.  Field efficacy of non-pathogenic Streptomyces species against potato common scab.  Journal of Applied Microbiology 116:123-133.

Haynes, K.G., Qu, X.S., and Christ, B.J.  2014.  Two cycles of recurrent maternal half-sib selection reduce foliar late blight in a diploid hybrid Solanum phureja-S. stenotomum population by two-thirds.  American Journal of Potato Research 91:254-259.

Qu, X.S., Wanner, L.A., and Christ, B.J.  2011.  Multiplex real-time PCR (TaqMan) assay for the simultaneous detection and discrimination of potato powdery and common scab diseases and pathogens.  Journal of Applied Microbiology 110:769-777.

Li, X., Hu, Z., Qu, X.S., Zhu, J., Li, L., Ring, B.Z., and Su, L.  2011.  Putative EPHX1 enzyme activity is related with risk of lung and upper aerodigestive tract cancers: a comprehensive meta-analysis.  PLoS ONE 6: e14749.

Wickramasinge, D.K., Qu, X.S., Costanzo, S., Haynes, K.G., and Christ, B.J.  2009.  Development of PCR-based markers linked to quantitative resistance to late blight in a diploid hybrid Solanum phureja × S. stenotomum population.  American Journal of Potato Research 86:188-195.

Qu, X.S., Wanner, L.A., and Christ, B.J.  2008.  Using the txtAB operon to quantify pathogenic Streptomyces in potato tubers and soil.  Phytopathology 98:405-412.

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2007.  In vitro culture of the obligate parasite Spongospora subterranea (Cercozoa; Plasmodiophorida) associated with root-inducing transferred-DNA transformed potato hairy roots.  The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology 54:465-467.

Stewart, E.L., Qu, X.S., Overton, B.E., Wenner, N.G., Gildow, F.E., and Grove, D.S.  2007.  Development of a real-time RT-PCR SYBR Green assay for Tomato ring spot virus in grape.  Plant Disease 91:1083-1088.

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2006.  Single cystosorus isolate production and restriction fragment length polymorphism characterization of the obligate biotroph Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea.  Phytopathology 96:1157-1163.

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2006.  The host range of Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea in the United States.  American Journal of Potato Research 83:343-347.

Qu, X.S., Kavanagh, J.A., Egan, D., and Christ, B.J.  2006.  Detection and quantification of Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea by PCR in host tissue and naturally infested soils.  American Journal of Potato Research 83:21-30.

Recent Extension Publications

Qu XS, Peck MW, Moore CE, and Christ BJ.  2017.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to early blight in Pennsylvania, 2016.  Plant Disease Management Reports 11:V012.

Qu XS, Peck MW, Moore CE, and Christ BJ.  2017.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to late blight in Pennsylvania, 2016.  Plant Disease Management Reports 11:V035.

Qu XS, Peck MW, Moore CE, and Christ BJ.  2017.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to powdery scab in Pennsylvania, 2016.  Plant Disease Management Reports 11:V052.

Qu XS, Peck MW, Moore CE, and Christ BJ.  2017.  Evaluation of foliar fungicides for control of potato late blight in Pennsylvania, 2016.  Plant Disease Management Reports 11:V078.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., Moore, C.E., and Christ, B.J.  2016.  Evaluation of foliar fungicides for control of potato late blight in Pennsylvania, 2015.  Plant Disease Management Reports 10: V008.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., Moore, C.E., and Christ, B.J.  2016.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to powdery scab in Pennsylvania, 2015.  Plant Disease Management Reports 10: V035.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., Moore, C.E., and Christ, B.J.  2016.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to late blight in Pennsylvania, 2015.  Plant Disease Management Reports 10: V036.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., Moore, C.E., and Christ, B.J.  2016.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to early blight in Pennsylvania, 2015.  Plant Disease Management Reports 10: V037.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., Moore, C.E., and Christ, B.J.  2015.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to late blight in Pennsylvania, 2014.  Plant Disease Management Reports 9: V040.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., Moore, C.E., and Christ, B.J.  2015.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to early blight in Pennsylvania, 2014.  Plant Disease Management Reports 9: V039.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., Moore, C.E., and Christ, B.J.  2015.  Evaluation of foliar fungicides for control of potato late blight in Pennsylvania, 2014.  Plant Disease Management Reports 9: V038.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., Moore, C.E., and Christ, B.J.  2015.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to powdery scab in Pennsylvania, 2014.  Plant Disease Management Reports 9: V037.

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2014.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to late blight in Pennsylvania, 2013.  Plant Disease Management Reports 8: V186.

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2014.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to early blight in Pennsylvania, 2013.  Plant Disease Management Reports 8: V187.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., and Christ, B.J.  2014.  Evaluation of foliar fungicides for control of potato late blight in Pennsylvania, 2013.  Plant Disease Management Reports 8: V188.

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2014.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to powdery scab in Pennsylvania, 2013.  Plant Disease Management Reports 8: V189

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2013.  Evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to late blight, 2012.  Plant Disease Management Reports 7:V092.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., and Christ, B.J.  2013.  Evaluation of fungicides for control of potato late blight, 2012.  Plant Disease Management Reports 7:V094.

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2013.  Evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to early blight, 2012.  Plant Disease Management Reports 7:V093.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., and Christ, B.J.  2013.  Evaluation of fungicides for control of potato early blight, 2012.  Plant Disease Management Reports 7:V105.

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2013.  Evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to powdery scab, 2012.  Plant Disease Management Reports 7:V104

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2012.  Evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to powdery scab, 2011.  Plant Disease Management Reports 6:V114.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., and Christ, B.J.  2012.  Evaluation of fungicides for control of potato early blight, 2011.  Plant Disease Management Reports 6:V113.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., and Christ, B.J.  2012.  Evaluation of fungicides for control of potato late blight, 2011.  Plant Disease Management Reports 6:V112.

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2012.  Evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to early blight, 2011.  Plant Disease Management Reports 6:V111.

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2012.  Evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to late blight, 2011.  Plant Disease Management Reports 6:V110.

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2011.  Evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to powdery scab, 2010.  Plant Disease Management Reports 5:V089.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., and Christ, B.J.  2011.  Evaluation of fungicides for control of potato late blight, 2010.  Plant Disease Management Reports 5:V087.

Qu, X.S., Peck, M.W., and Christ, B.J.  2011.  Evaluation of fungicides for control of potato early blight, 2010.  Plant Disease Management Reports 5:V088.

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2011.  Evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to late blight, 2010.  Plant Disease Management Reports 5:V086.

Qu, X.S. and Christ, B.J.  2011.  Evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to early blight, 2010.  Plant Disease Management Reports 5:V085.