
Shi-Jean Susana Sung
Emeritus ScientistPineville, LA 71360
susana.sung@usda.gov
Current Research
The primary thrust of current research is in the areas of longleaf pine seedling production, field establishment, and field performance with emphasis on root system architecture, sapling physical stability (e.g., wind firmness), stem sinuosity, and physiologcial and growth response to prescribed burns. The long-term effects of container types and sizes on longelaf pine are being evaluated. Different strategies including nursery fertilization rate and site preparation methods are being explored to enhance the acceleration of stem growth to reduce resisdence time of the grass stage. Effects of sivilcultural management practices are studied on longleaf pine, slash pine and Ponderosa pine stands.
Research Interests
- Physiology of forest species including longleaf pine, Ponderosa pine, oaks, and American chestnut.
- Seedling and tree root system architecture.
- Tree responses to climate changes such as drought, flood, and heat and infestation of insects and diseases.
Past Research
- Physiology, biochemistry, morphology, and silviculture of loblolly pine, sweetgum, northern red oak, white oak, souther red oak, and cherrybark oak.
- Nursery protocols and artificial regeneration strategies for loblolly pine and several oak species.
- The seasonal dynamics of carbon sink and source relationship in loblolly pine, oaks, sweetgum, and longleaf pine.
- The adaptive and maintenance intermediately sugar metabolic pathways in agriculture and horticulture crops and forest trees.
- Phosphorus fertilization and mycorrhizal colonization in pines and sweetgum.
- Herbicides and weed biology.
Why This Research is Important
With increasing interests from the public and private sectors of forest professionals and land owners to restore, improve, and maintain longleaf pine ecosystems in its natural range across southern U.S, many aspects of longelaf biology and physiology are either unknown or mis-leading. For example, a longleaf pine seedling can emerge from the grass stage (> 12 cm in height) within 1 to 4 years after planting. Seedlings tend to stay in the grass stage longer if they are shaded by competing vegetation. Restoration has to come from the artificial regeneration if there is no longleaf on site or the natural regeneration is not feasible. Although more than 85% of longleaf pine planted is from the container stock, there remain many issues with container-grown stock. Sapling windfirmness, or lack of it, is one. Bareroot seedlings have a narrow window of planting (< 7 days from lifting) and survive poorly in drought. But they possess a root system similar to that of the naturally regenerated seedlings and are more wind firm compared to the container stock.
Education
- Ph.D. in Agronomy and Soils, 1982
- Auburn University
- M.S. in Plant Physiology and Weed Science, 1977
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- B.S. in Botany, 1975
- National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
Featured Publications and Products
- Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Haywood, James D. 2011. Longleaf Pine Root System Development and Seedling Quality in Response to Copper Root Pruning and Cavity Size.
- Leduc, Daniel J.; Haywood, James D.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana. 2011. Comparing Planting Tools for Container Longleaf Pine.
- Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Kormanik, Paul P.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 2010. White oak epicotyl emergence and 1-0 seedling growth from surgically altered germinating acorns.
- Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Haywood, James D.; Sword-Sayer, Mary A.; Connor, Kristina F.; Scott, D. Andrew. 2010. Effects of container cavity size and copper coating on field performance of container-grown longleaf pine seedlings.
- Otrosina, W. J.; Kliejunas, J. T.; Sung, S. S.; Smith, S.; Cluck, D. R. 2008. Studies on black stain root disease in ponderosa pine. pp. 236-240. M. Garbelotto & P. Gonthier (Editors). Proceedings 12th International Conference on Root and Butt Rots of Forest Trees.
Publications
- Jackson, D. Paul; Olatinwo, Rabiu ; Barnett, James P.; Strom, Brian ; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana. 2020. Field observations of longleaf pine seedlings to examine possible hybridization.
- Olatinwo, Rabiu ; Jackson, D. Paul; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Mangini, Alex ; Strom, Brian ; Barnett, James P. 2020. Genetic markers for identification of southern pine species.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Leduc, Daniel J.; Haywood, James D. 2020. Is planting stocktype critical to long-term field performance of longleaf pine?.
- Leduc, Daniel J.; Sung, Shi-Jean S. 2018. A computer program to predict the quality of longleaf pine seed crops.
- Laseter, Stephanie H.; Vose, James M.; Guldin, James M.; Bragg, Don C.; Spetich, Martin A.; Keyser, Tara L.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana. 2018. Experimental forests of the Southern Research Station: highlights of foundational silviculture studies.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Leduc, Daniel J.; Tule, James ; Dougherty, Phil ; Muir, Nicholas G. 2018. Understanding carbon sink-source relationships in seed orchard loblolly pine ramets.
- Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Leduc, Daniel J.; Tule, James ; Muir, Nicholas G.; Dougherty, Phil . 2018. Understanding the fertilization and irrigation response of seed orchard loblolly pine.
- Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Haywood, Dave. 2016. Air lateral root pruning affects longleaf pine seedling root system morphology.
- Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Tyree, Michael C.; Blazier, Michael A.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Eckhardt, Lori G. 2016. Is natural defense capacity correlated with allocation of dry mass to the stem in loblolly pine?.
- Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Clark, Stacy L.; Schlarbaum, Scott; Dey, Daniel C.; Leduc, Daniel J. 2016. Performance of container-grown seedlings of American chestnut backcross hybrids BC3 F3 generation in central Louisiana.
- Leduc, Daniel J.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Brockway, Dale G.; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne. 2016. Weather effects on the success of longleaf pine cone crops.
- Haywood, James D.; Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana. 2015. Comparison of planted loblolly, longleaf, and slash pine development through 10 growing seasons in central Louisiana--an argument for longleaf pine.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Haywood, James D.; Sayer, Mary Anne S. 2015. Current-year flush and needle development in longleaf pine saplings after a dormant season prescribed fire.
- Pinchot, Cornelia; Clark, Stacy; Schlarbaum, Scott; Saxton, Arnold; Sung, Shi-Jean; Hebard, Frederick. 2015. Effects of temporal dynamics, nut weight and nut size on growth of American chestnut, Chinese chestnut and backcross generations in a commercial nursery.
- Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Haywood, James D.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana. 2015. Soil physical effects on longleaf pine performance in the West Gulf Coastal Plain.
- Haywood, James D.; Leduc, Daniel J.; Sung, Shi-Jean S. 2013. Comparing seven planting tools for container-grown longleaf pine seedlings.
- Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Haywood, James D.; Leduc, Daniel; Sword-Sayer, Mary A. 2013. Developmental dynamics of longleaf pine seedling flushes and needles.
- Dumroese, R. Kasten; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Pinto, Jeremiah R.; Ross-Davis, Amy; Scott, D. Andrew. 2013. Morphology, gas exchange, and chlorophyll content of longleaf pine seedlings in response to rooting volume, copper root pruning, and nitrogen supply in a container nursery.
- Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Dumroese, R. Kasten. 2013. Root system architecture: The invisible trait in container longleaf pine seedlings.
- Leduc, Daniel J.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Wharton, Kristi. 2012. Assessing the leaning, bending, and sinuosity of sapling-size trees.
- Haywood, James D.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne. 2012. Copper Root Pruning and Container Cavity Size Influence Longleaf Pine Growth through Five Growing Seasons.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Leduc, Daniel J.; Haywood, James D.; Eberhardt, Thomas L.; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 2012. Methodology and preliminary results of evaluating stem displacement and assessing root system architecture of longleaf pine saplings.
- Black, Clayton C.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Toderich, Kristina; Voronin, Pavel Yu. 2010. Applying photosynthesis research to increase crop yields.
- Sword Sayer, Marry Anne; Haywood, James D.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana. 2009. Cavity size and copper root pruning affect production and establishment of container-grown longleaf pine seedlings.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Haywood, James D.; Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne. 2009. Long-Term Container Effects on Root System Architecture of Longleaf Pine.
- Otrosina, W.J.; Kliejunas, J.T.; Smith, S.; Cluck, D.R.; Sung, S.S.; Cook, C.D. 2007. Black stain root disease studies on ponderosa pine parameters and disturbance treatments affecting infection and mortality.
- Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Kormanik, Paul P.; Cook, Catharine D.; Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Kormanik, Taryn L. 2006. Effect of acorn moisture content at sowing on germination and seedling growth of white oak and northern red oak.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Kormanik, Taryn L.; Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Cook, Catharine D.; Tibbs, Tom; Schlarbaum, Scott E. 2006. Survival, growth, and acornet production of artificially regenerated northern red oak on two high-quality mesic sites at year seven.
- Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Kormanik, Paul P.; Kormanik, Taryn L.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 2005. Impact of acorn moisture content at sowing on germination and seedling growth of white oak and northern red oak.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 2005. Is seedling grading beneficial to artificial regeneration of northern red oaks?.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Paul P.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 2004. Flush Development Dynamics in First-Year Nursery-Grown Seedlings of Eight Oak Species.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Taryn L. 2004. Growing, selecting, and establishing 1-0 Quercus rubra and Q alba seedlings for rapid growth and early acorn production on forested lands in the southeastern United States.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Taryn; Tibbs, Tom; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 2004. Northern Red Oak From Acorns to Acorns in 8 Years or Less.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Otrosina, William J.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 2004. Seasonal Sucrose Metabolism in Longleaf Pine Tree Stem Cambial Tissues.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Taryn L.; Tibbs, Thomas; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 2003. Nutrition and irrigation regime affect size and early growth of white oak seedlings.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Taryn L.; Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Schlarbaum, Scott E.; Tibbs, Tom. 2002. Artificial regeneration of northern red oak (Quercus rubra) on high quality mesic sites: early results characterizing nursery production, early juvenile growth, and acorn production.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Tibbs, G. Thomas. 2002. Artificial regeneration of northern red oak and white oak on high-quality sites: effect of root morphology and relevant biological characteristics.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kass, Donald; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 2002. Effect Of Seedling Size And First-Order Lateral Roots On Early Development Of Northern Red Oak On A Mesic Site: Eleventh-Year Results.
- Sung, S.; Kormanik, P.P.; Ostrosina, W.J.; Isebrands, J.G. 2002. Eighth workshop on seedling physiology and growth problems in oak plantings (abstracts). 2001 September 9-12; Hiwassee, GA.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Paul P.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 2002. Growth And Development Of First-Year Nursery-Grown White Oak Seedlings Of Individual Mother Trees.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Paul P.; Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Possee, Charles. 2002. Growth and Photosynthesis Characteristics of an Artificially Regenerated Mixed Hardwood Stand in the Southern USA.
- Counce, P.A.; Gealy, Davidi R.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana. 2002. Rice Physiology.
- Otrosina, William J.; Walkinshaw, Charles H.; Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Sullivan, Brian T. 2002. Root Disease, Longleaf Pine Mortality, and Prescribed Burning.
- Otrosina, William J.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Sullivan, Brian T.; Walkinshaw, Charles H. 2002. Root disease and other unforeseen variables that confound restoration efforts.
- Lo Bianco, Riccardo; Rieger, Mark; Sung, Shi-Jean S. 2000. Effect of drought on sorbitol and sucrose metabolism in sinks and sources of peach.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Taryn L.; Zarnoch, Stanley L.; Schlarbaum, Scott. 2000. Heritability of first-order lateral root number in Quercus: implication for artificial regeneration of stands.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Paul P. 2000. Sucrose metabolism, growth and transplanting stress in sweetgum seedling taproots and stems.
- Lo Bianco, Riccardo; Rieger, Mark; Sung, Shi-Jean S. 1999. Activities of sucrose and sorbitol metabolizing enzymes in vegetative sinks of peach and correlation with sink growth rate.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Kormanik, Taryn L.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Possee, Charles. 1999. Artifical Regeneration of Multiple Hardwood Species to Develop Specific Forest Communities.
- Bianco, Riccardo Lo; Rieger, Mark; Sung, Shi-Jean S. 1999. Carbohydrate metabolism of vegetative and reproductive sinks in the late-maturing peach cultivar 'Encore'.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Kormanik, Taryn L.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Zarnoch, Stanley L. 1999. Nitrogen levels, top pruning, and lifting date affect nursery development and early field performance of loblolly pine seedlings.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Paul P.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 1999. Photosynthetic Characteristics of Five Hardwood Species in a Mixed Stand.
- Bianco, Riccardo Lo; Rieger, Mark; Sung, Shi-Jean S. 1998. A simple, rapid extraction and assay procedure for NAD+-dependent sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) in peach.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, T.L.; Schlarbaum, S.E.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 1998. Effect of acorn size on development of northern red oak 1-0 seedlings.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 1998. Immature Loblolly Pine Growth and Biomass Accumulation: Correlations with Seedlings Initial First-Order Lateral Roots.
- Feng, Z.; Hartel, P.G.; Roncadori, R.W.; Sung, Shi-Jean S. 1998. Inhibition of fungal colonization on the rhizoplane of the CS2 - producing plant, Mimosa pudica L.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Paul P.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 1998. Photosynthesis and Biomass Allocation in Oak Seedlings Grown Under Shade.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kass, Donald J.; Schlarbaum, Scott. 1997. Effect of Seedling Size and First-Order-Lateral Roots on Early Development of Northern Red Oak on Mesic Sites.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Black, C.C.; Kormanik, T.L.; Counce, P.A. 1997. Fall nitrogen fertilization and the biology of Pinus taeda seedling development.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Taryn L.; Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Schlarbaum, Scott. 1997. Heritability of first-order-lateral roots in five Quercus species: effect on 1-0 seedling quality evaluation.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Xu, Dianpeng; Kormanik, Paul P.; Black, Clanton C. 1997. Photosynthesis and xanthophyll cycle-mediated photoprotection in leaves of Quercus rubra and Q. alba seedlings of different light environments.
- Kesen, Ma; Hutchins, A.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Adams, Michael W.W. 1997. Pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Pyrococcus furious, functions as a CoA-dependent pyruvate decarboxylase.
- Black, C.C.; Chen, J.-Q.; Doong, R.L.; Angelov, M.N.; Sung, Shi-Jean S. 1996. Alternative carbohydrate reserves used in the daily cycle of crassulacean acid metabolism.
- Otrosina, W.J.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; White, L.M. 1996. Effects of subsoiling on lateral roots, sucrose metabolizing enzymes, and soil ergosterol in two Jeffrey pine stands.
- Angelov, Mitko N.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Doong, Ron Lou; Harms, William R.; Kormanik, Paul P.; Black, Clanton C., Jr. 1996. Long-and short-term flooding effects on survival and sink-source relationships of swamp-adapted tree species.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Paul P.; Black, C.C. 1996. Temporal and spacial aspects of root and stem sucrose metabolism in loblolly pine trees.
- Marx, Donald H.; Sung, Shi-jean S.; Cunningham, James S.; Thompson, Michael D.; White, Linda M. 1995. A Method to Study Response of Large Trees to Different Amounts of Available Soil Water.
- Marx, D.H.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Cunningham, J.S.; Thompson, M.D.; White, L.M. 1995. A method to study response of large trees to different amounts of available soil water.
- Black, C.C.; Lobodia, T.; Chen, J.-Q; Sung, Shi-Jean S. 1995. Can sucrose cleavage enzymes serve as markers for sink strength and is sucrose a signal molecule during plant sink development?.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Black, Clanton C.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 1995. Carbon allocation to young loblolly pine roots and stems.
- Angelov, M.N.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Black, C.C. 1995. Daily xanthophyll cycle photoprotection in developing leaves prior to photosynthesis.
- Otrosina, W.J.; Sung, Shi-Jean S. 1995. Effects of subsoiling on woody roots of Jeffrey pines on two different soil types.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, T.L.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 1995. Hardwood cover crops:can they enhance loblolly pine seedling production.
- Angelov, M.N.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Doong, R.L.; Harms, W.R.; Kormanik, Paul P.; Black, C.C. 1995. Long- and short-term flooding effects on survival and sink-source relationships of swamp-adapted tree species.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, T.L.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 1995. Oak regeneration why big is better.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; White, L.M.; Marx, D.H.; Otrosina, W.J. 1995. Seasonal ectomycorrhizal fungal biomass development on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Paul P.; Black, C.C. 1995. Seasonal sucrose metabolism in individual first-order lateral roots of nine-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Paul P.; Black, C.C. 1994. A biochemical assessment of the value of top clipping nursery-grown loblolly pine seedlings.
- Simon, L.; Kieger, M.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Smalley, T.J. 1994. Aluminum toxicity in tomato. Part 2.Leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll content, and invertase activity.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, T.L.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 1994. Effect of apical meristem clipping on carbon allocation and morphological development of white oak seedlings.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Sheih, W.J.; Geiger, D.R.; Black, C.C. 1994. Growth, sucrose synthase, and invertase activities of developing Phaseolus vulgaris L. fruits.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, T.L. 1994. Irrigating and fertilizing to grow better nursery seedlings.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Angelov, M.N.; Doong, R.R.; Harms, W.R.; Kormanik, Paul P.; Black, C.C. 1994. The physiological diversity and similarity of ten Quercus species.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, T.L. 1994. Toward a single nursery protocol for oak seedlings.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Paul P.; Black, C.C. 1994. Understanding sucrose metabolism and growth in a developing sweetgum plantation.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Black, C.C.; Kormanik, Paul P. 1993. Sucrose metabolism and growth in transplanted loblolly pine seedlings.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, Paul P.; Black, C.C. 1993. Vascular cambial sucrose metabolism and growth in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) in relation to transplanting stress.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Kormanik, T.L. 1992. Controlling loblolly pine seedling growth through carbon metabolism regulation rather than mechanical procedures.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Loboda, T.; Sung, S.S.; Black, C.C., Jr. 1992. Sucrose synthase in wild tomato Lycopersicon chmielewskii and tomato fruit sink strength.
- Leather, G.R.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Hale, M.G. 1992. The wounding response of dormant barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) seeds.
- Kormanik, Paul P.; Muse, H.D.; Sung, S.J. 1991. Impact of nursery management practices on heritability estimates and frequency distributions of first-order lateral roots of loblolly pine.
- Sung, S.S.; Kormanik, P.P.; Xu, D.P.; Black, C.C. 1989. Sucrose metabolic pathways in sweetgum and pecan seedlings.
- Black, Clanton C.; Mustardy, Laszlo; Sung, S.S.; Kormanik, P.P.; Xu, D.-P.; Paz, Nachman. 1987. Regulations and roles for alternative pathways of hexose metabolism in plants.
- Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Gjerstad, D.H.; Michael, J.L. 1981. Hexazinone Persistence in Two Different Types of Soils.
Research Highlights
Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /srv/web/www.srs.fs.usda.gov/staff/viewemployee.php on line 529