Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) · University of Pretoria
Email: shuaifei.chen@gmail.com
Research groups: DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Plant Health Biotechnology · Tree Protection Co-operative Programme
Dr ShuaiFei Chen
Extra-ordinary Lecturer
About
Research Interests
My research interests are taxonomy, population and pathology of tree pathogens, especially those that are important to the forestry industries. These pathogens include species of Botryosphaeriaceae, Cryphonectriaceae, Mycosphaerellaceae, Teratocphaeriaceae, Ceratocystis, andCalonectria. I’m also interested in the disease management of various pathogens on plantation trees.
Research Experiences
I conducted my PhD research in the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria. In my PhD thesis entitled, Fungal Diseases of eucalypts in China, which provides extensive study of fungal pathogens of eucalypts in China conducted to date. After I obtained my PhD degree, I conducted two post-doctoral projects in FABI, University of Pretoria and in University of California-Davis, respectively.
In 2013, I moved back to China and worked in in the Research Institute of Fast-growing Trees (RIFT), Chinese Academy of Forestry (CAF). With my friends and colleagues in RIFT and FABI, we built one Tree Protection Programme, RFTPP (RIFT-FABI Tree Protection Programme).
In 2023, I joined in the Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University (FAFU). Now, I’m the research leader of the Forest Pathogen Center, College of Forestry of FAFU. Now we are pushing the collaboration on tree health research between China and FABI.
My Publications
Journal Articles (73)
Pham NQ, Liu FF, Duong TA, Wingfield BD, Chen SF, Wingfield MJ (2025) Genetic diversity of Calonectria reteaudii isolates from infected Eucalyptus leaves and associated soils indicates a phyllosphere origin of the pathogen. Forest Pathology. 55. doi: 10.1111/efp.70037
Li WW, Liu FF, Chen SF, Wingfield MJ, Duong TA (2025) High genetic diversity and limited regional population differentiation in populations of Calonectria pseudoreteaudii from Eucalyptus plantations.
Phytopathology.
doi: 10.1094/PHYTO-05-24-0154-R
Chen BY, Wu WX, Chen SF (2024) Wide distribution of Teratosphaeria epicoccoides and T. destructans associated with diseased Eucalyptus leaves in plantations in Southern China. Microorganisms. 12. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12010129
Liu QL, Wingfield MJ, Duong TA, Wingfield BD, Chen SF (2024) Diversity of Calonectria species from leaves and soils in diseased southern China Eucalyptus plantation. Fungal Biology. 128. doi: 10.1016/j.funbio.2024.07.007
Coutinho TA, Carstensen G, Venter SN, Chen SF, Tarigan M, Wingfield MJ (2024) Bacterial community in apparently healthy and asymptomatic Eucalyptus trees and those with symptoms of bacterial wilt. Journal of Plant Pathology. doi: 10.1007/s42161-024-01697-x
Wu WX, Chen SF (2023) Wide distribution and intraspecies diversity in the pathogenicity of Calonectria in soil from Eucalyptus plantations in southern Guangxi of China. Journal of Fungi. 9.
Liu Y, Chen SF (2023) Diversity and Distribution of Calonectria Species in Soils from Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis, Pinus massoniana, and Cunninghamia lanceolata Plantations in Four Provinces in Southern China. Journal of Fungi. 9. doi: 10.3390/jof9020198
Liang XY, Wang QC, Chen SF (2023) Phylogeny, Morphology, Distribution, and Pathogenicity of Seven Calonectria Species from Leaf Blighted Eucalyptus in HaiNai Island, China. Plant Disease.
Li WW, Chen SF, Wingfield MJ, Duong TA (2023)Calonectria species associated with diseased leaves and soils in southern China Eucalyptus plantations. Phytopathology Research. 5. doi: 10.1186/s42483-023-00183-z
Li WW, Chen SF, Wingfield MJ, Duong TA (2023)Calonectria queenslandica: Causal agent of Eucalyptus leaf blight in Southern China. Plant Disease. 107. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-01-22-0196-RE
Liu LL, Chen SF (2022) Pathogenicity of six Calonectria species isolated from five soil layers in a Eucalyptus plantation. Journal of Phytopathology. doi: 10.1111/jph.13096
Pham NQ, Marincowitz S, Chen SF, Rodas CA, Wingfield MJ (2022) Soil-borne Calonectria (Hypocreales, Nectriaceae) associated with Eucalyptus plantations in Colombia. MycoKeys. 94. doi: 10.3897/mycokeys.94.96301
Chen Q, Suzuki H, Marincowitz S, Chen SF, Wingfield MJ, Winfield BD, et al (2022) Genera of phytopathogenic fungi: GOPHY 4. Studies in Mycology. 101. doi: 10.3114/sim.2022.101.06
Liu QL, Wingfield MJ, Doung TA, Wingfield BD, Chen SF (2022) Diversity and distribution of Calonectria species from plantation and forest soils in FuJian Province, China. Journal of Fungi. 8. doi: 10.3390/jof8080811
Wang QC, Liu FF, Liu QL, Wu WX, Wingfield MJ, Chen SF (2022) Comparison of hyphal fragments and spores to evaluate the pathogenicity of the Eucalyptus leaf and shoot pathogen Calonectria pseudoreteaudii. Plant Disease. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-01-22-0213-RE
Li JQ, Wingfield MJ, Barnes I, Chen SF (2022) Calonectria in the age of genes and genomes: Towards understanding an important but relatively unknown group of pathogens. Molecular Plant Pathology. doi: 10.1111/mpp.13209
Jami F, Marincowitz S, Durán A, Slippers B, Abad JIM, Chen S, Wingfield MJ (2022) Botryosphaeriaceae diversity on Eucalyptus clones in different climate zones of Indonesia. Forest Pathology. doi: 10.1111/efp.12737
Pham NQ, Marincowitz S, Chen SF, Yaparudin J, Wingfield MJ (2022)Calonectria species, including four novel taxa, associated with Eucalyptus in Malaysia. Mycological Progress. 21. doi: 10.1007/s11557-021-01768-8
Wingfield BD, De Vos L, Wilson AM, Duong AT, Vaghefi N, Botes A, Kharwar RN, Chand R, Poudel B, Aliyu H, Barbetti MJ, Chen S, de Maayer P, Liu F, Navathe S, Sinha S, Steenkamp ET, Suzuki H, Tshisekedi KA, van der Nest MA, Wingfield MJ (2022) Draft genome assemblies of Fusarium marasasianum, Huntiella abstrusa, two Immersiporthe knoxdaviesiana isolates, Macrophomina pseudophaseolina, Macrophomina phaseolina, Naganishia randhawae, and Pseudocercospora cruenta. IMA Fungus. 13. doi: 10.1186/s43008-022-00089-z
Liu LL, Wu WX, Chen SF (2021) Species diversity and distribution characteristics of Calonectria in five soil layers in a Eucalyptus plantation. Journal of Fungi. 7. doi: 10.3390/jof7100857
Wu WX, Chen SF (2021) Species diversity, mating strategy, and pathogenicity of Calonectria species from diseased leaves and soils in the Eucalyptus plantation in southern China. Journal of Fungi. 7. doi: 10.3390/jof7020073
Li G, Slippers B, Wingfield MJ, Chen S (2021) Variation in Botryosphaeriaceae from Eucalyptus plantations in YunNan Province in southwestern China across a climatic gradient. IMA Fungus. 11. doi: 10.1186/s43008-020-00043-x
Liu FF, Duong TA, Barnes I, Wingfield MJ, Chen SF (2021) Population diversity and genetic structure reveal patterns of host association and anthropogenic impact for the globally important fungal tree pathogen Ceratocystis manginecans. Journal of Fungi. 7. doi: 10.3390/jof7090759
Li JQ, Barnes I, Liu FF, Wingfield MJ, Chen SF (2021) Global genetic diversity and mating type distribution of Calonectria pauciramosa: an important wide host-range plant pathogen. Plant Disease. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-05-20-1050-RE
Roux J, Nkuekan GK, Marincowitz S, van der Merwe NA, Uchida J, Wingfield MJ, Chen SF (2020) Chryphonectriaceae associated with rust-infected Syzigium jambos in Hawaii.. MycoKeys. 76. doi: 10.3897/mycokeys.76.58406
Li GQ, Slippers B, Wingfield MJ, Chen SF (2020) Variation in Botryosphaeriaceae from Eucalyptus plantations in YunNan Province in southwestern China across a climatic gradient. IMA Fungus. 11. doi: 10.1186/s43008-020-00043-x
Liu QL, Li JQ, Wingfield MJ, Duong TA, Wingfield BD, Crous PW, Chen SF (2020) Reconsideration of species boundaries and proposed DNA barcodes for Calonectria. Studies in Mycology. doi: 10.1016/j.simyco.2020.08.001
Liu FF, Marincowitz S, Chen SF, Mbenoun M, Tsopelas P, Soulioti N, Wingfield MJ (2020) Novel species of Huntiella from naturally-occurring forest trees in Greece and South Africa. MycoKeys. doi: 10.3897/mycokeys.69.53205
Havenga M, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ, Dreyer LL, Roets F, Chen SF, Aylward J (2020) Low genetic diversity and strong geographic structure in introduced populations of the Eucalyptus foliar pathogen Teratosphaeria destructans. Plant Pathology. 69. doi: 10.1111/ppa.13235
Li JQ, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ, Barnes I, Fourie A, Crous PW, Chen SF (2020) Mating genes in Calonectria and evidence for a heterothallic ancestral state. Persoonia. 45. doi: 10.3767/persoonia.2020.45.06
Wang W, Li GQ, Liu QL, Chen SF (2020) Cryphonectriaceae on Myrtales in China: phylogeny, host range, and pathogenicity. Persoonia. 45.
Havenga M, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ, Roets F, Dreyer LL, Tatham CT, Duong TA, Wilken PM, Chen S, Aylward J (2020) Mating strategy and mating type distribution in six global populations of the Eucalyptus foliar pathogen Teratosphaeria destructans. Fungal Genetics and Biology. 137. doi: 10.1016/j.fgb.2020.103350
Wang QC, Chen SF (2019) Calonectria pentaseptata causes severe leaf disease on cultivated Eucalyptus in Leizhou Peninsula of southern China. Plant Disease. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-05-19-1009-RE
Liu FF, Chen SF, Ferreira MA, Chang RL, Sayari M, Kanzi AM, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ, Pizarro D, Crespo A, Divakar PK, de Beer ZW, Duong TA (2019) Draft genome sequences of five Calonectria species from Eucalyptus plantations in China, Celoiporthe dispersa, Sporothrix phasma and Alectoria sarmentosa. IMA Fungus. 10. doi: 10.1186/s43008-019-0023-5
Pham NQ, Barnes I, Chen SF, Liu FF, Dang NQ, Pham TQ, Lombard L, Crous PW, Wingfield MJ (2019) Ten new species of Calonectria from Indonesia and Vietnam. Mycologia. 111. doi: 10.1080/00275514.2018.1522179
Chen SF, Liu QL, Li GQ, Wingfield MJ, Roux J (2018) A new genus of Cryphonectriaceae isolated from Lagerstroemia speciosa in southern China. Plant Pathology. doi: 10.1111/ppa.12723
Liu FF, Li GQ, Roux J, Barnes I, Wilson AM, Wingfield MJ, Chen SF (2018) Nine novel species of Huntiella from southern China with three distinct mating strategies and variable levels of pathogenicity. Mycologia. 110. doi: 10.1080/00275514.2018.1515450
Pham NQ, Barnes I, Chen SF, Pham TQ, Lombard L, Crous PW, Wingfield MJ (2018) New species of Cylindrocladiella from plantation soils in South-East Asia. MycoKeys. 32. doi: 10.3897/mycokeys.32.23754
Liu FF, Barnes I, Roux J, Wingfield MJ, Chen SF (2018) Molecular phylogenetics and microsatellite analysis reveal a new pathogenic Ceratocystis species in the Asian-Australian Clade. Plant Pathology. 67. doi: 10.1111/ppa.12820
Li GQ, Liu FF, Li JQ, Liu QL, Chen SF (2018) Botryosphaeriaceae from Eucalyptus plantations and adjacent plants in China. Persoonia. 40. doi: 10.3767/persoonia.2018.40.03
Xie YJ, Arnold RJ, Wu ZH, Chen SF, Du AP, Luo JZ (2017) Advances in eucalypt research in China. Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering. doi: 10.15302/J-FASE-2017171
Chen SF, Liu QL, Li GQ, Wingfield MJ (2017)Quambalaria species associated with eucalypt diseases in southern China. Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering. 4. doi: 10.15302/J-FASE-2017173
Liu QL, Chen SF (2017) Two novel species of Calonectria isolated from soil in a natural forest in China. MycoKeys. 26. doi: 10.3897/mycokeys.26.14688
Li JQ, Wingfield MJ, Liu QL, Barnes I, Roux J, Lombard L, Crous PW, Chen SF (2017) Calonectria species isolated from Eucalyptus plantations and nurseries in South China.. IMA Fungus. 8. doi: 10.5598/imafungus.2017.08.02.04
Li JQ, Wingfield MJ, Liu QL, Barnes I, Roux J, Lorenzo L, Crous PW, Chen SF (2017)Calonectria species isolated from Eucalyptus plantations and nurseries in South China. IMA FUNGUS. 8. doi: 10.5598/imafungus.2017.08.02.04
Liu QL, Chen SF (2017) Two novel species of Calonectria isolated from soil in a natural forest in China. MycoKeys. 26. doi: 10.3897/mycokeys.26.14688
Mausse-Sitoe SND, Chen SF, Wingfield MJ, Roux J (2016) Diseases of eucalypts in the central and northern provinces of Mozambique. Southern Forests. 78. doi: 10.2989/20702620.2015.1126780
Chen SF, van der Merwe NA, Wingfield MJ, Roux J (2016) Population structure of Holocryphia capensis (Cryphonectriaceae) from Metrosideros angustifolia and its pathogenicity to Eucalyptus species. Australasian Plant Pathology. 45. doi: 10.1007/s13313-016-0399-2
Chen SF, Wingfield MJ, Li GQ, Liu FF (2016)Corticimorbus sinomyrti gen. et sp. nov. (Cryphonectriaceae) pathogenic to native Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Myrtaceae) in South China. Plant Pathology. doi: 10.1111/ppa.12507
Mausse-Sitoe SND, Rodas C.A, Wingfield M.J, Chen SF, Roux J. (2016) Endophytic Cryphonectriaceae on native Myrtales: possible origin of Chrysoporthe. Fungal Biology. doi: 10.1016/j.funbio.2016.03.005
Liu QL, Li GQ, Li JQ, Chen SF (2016)Botrytis eucalypti, a novel species isolated from diseased Eucalyptus seedlings in South China. Mycological Progress. 15. doi: 10.1007/s11557-016-1229-1
Mausse-Sitoe SND, Rodas C, Wingfield MJ, Chen SF, Roux J (2016) Endophytic Cryphonectriaceae on native Myrtales: possible origin of Chrysoporthe canker on plantation-grown Eucalyptus. Fungal Biology. 120. doi: 10.1016/j.funbio.2016.03.005
Jimu L, Chen SF, Wingfield MJ, Mwenje E, Roux J (2016) The Eucalyptus stem canker pathogen Teratosphaeria gauchensis represents distinct genetic groups in Africa and South America. Forest Pathology. doi: 10.1111/efp.12249
Jimu L, Chen SF, Wingfield MJ, Mwenje E, Roux J (2016) Three genetic groups of the Eucalyptus stem canker pathogen Teratosphaeria zuluensis introduced into Africa from an unknown source. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 109. doi: 10.1007/s10482-015-0606-0
Chen SF, Li GQ, Liu FF, Michailides TJ (2015) Novel species of Botryosphaeriaceae associated with shoot blight of pistachio. Mycologia. 107. doi: 10.3852/14-242
Lombard L, Chen SF, Mou X, Zhou XD, Crous PW, Wingfield MJ (2015) New species, hyper-diversity and potential importance of Calonectria spp. from Eucalyptus in South China. Studies in Mycology. 80. doi: 10.1016/j.simyco.2014.11.003
Li GQ, Arnold RJ, Liu FF, Li JQ, Chen SF (2015) Identification and pathogenicity of Lasiodiplodia species from Eucalyptus urophylla × grandis, Polyscias balfouriana and Bougainvillea spectabilis in southern China. Journal of Phytopathology. 163. doi: 10.1111/jph.12398
Liu FF, Mbenoun M, Barnes I, Roux J, Wingfield MJ, Li GQ, Li JQ, Chen SF (2015) New Ceratocystis species from Eucalyptus and Cunninghamia in South China. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 107. doi: 10.1007/s10482-015-0441-3
Chen SF, Morgan DP, Michailides TJ (2014) Botryosphaeriaceae and Diaporthaceae associated with panicle and shoot blight pistachio in California, USA. Fungal Diversity. 67. doi: 10.1007/s13225-014-0285-6
Chen SF, Morgan DP, Hasey JK, Anderson K, Michailides TJ (2014) Phylogeny, Morphology, Distribution, and Pathogenicity of Botryosphaeriaceae and Diaporthaceae from English Walnut in California. Plant Disease. 98. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-07-13-0706-RE
Chen SF, Fitchner E, Morgon DP, Michailides TJ (2013) First report of Lasiodiplodia citricola and Neoscytalidium dimidiatum Causing English Walnut Graft Union Death in California. Plant Disease. 97. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-10-12-1000-PDN
Chen SF, Morgon DP, Beede RH, Michailides TJ (2013) First Report of Lasiodiplodia theobromae associated with Stem Canker of Almond in California. Plant Disease. 97. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-11-12-1033-PDN
Thomidis T, Exadaktylou E, Chen SF (2013)Diaporthe neotheicola, a new threat for Kiwifruit in Greece. Crop Protection. 47. doi: 10.1016/j.cropro.2012.12.024
Chen SF, Wingfield MJ, Roux J (2013)Diversimorbus metrosiderotis gen. et sp. nov. and three new species of Holocryphia (Cryphonectriaceae) associated with cankers on native Metrosideros angustifolia trees in South Africa. Fungal Biology. 117. doi: 10.1016/j.funbio.2013.02.005
Chen SF, Wingfield MJ, Roets F, Roux J (2013) A serious canker disease caused by Immersiporthe knoxdaviesiana gen. et sp. nov. (Cryphonectriaceae) on native Rapanea melanophloeos in South Africa. Plant Pathology. 62. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2012.02671.x
Chen S, Van Wyk M, Roux J, Wingfield MJ, Xie Y, Zhou X (2013) Taxonomy and pathogenicity of Ceratocystis species on Eucalyptus trees in South China, including C. chinaeucensis sp. nov. Fungal Diversity. 58. doi: 10.1007/s13225-012-0214-5
Crous PW, Wingfield MJ, Guarro J, Cheewangkoon R, van der Bank M, Swart WJ, Stchigel AM, Cano-Lira JF, Roux J, Madrid H, Damm U, Wood AR, Shuttleworth LA, Hodges CS, Munster M, de Jesús Yáñez-Morales M, Zúñiga-Estrada L, Cruywagen EM, de Hoog GS, Silvera C, Najafzadeh J, Davison EM, Davison PJN, Barrett MD, Barrett RL, Manamgoda DS, Minnis AM, Kleczewski NM, Luke Flory S, Castlebury LA, Clay K, Hyde KD, Maússe-Sitoe SND, Chen S, Lechat C, Hairaud M, Lesage-Meessen L, Pawłowska J, Wilk M, Śliwińska-Wyrzychowska A, Mętrak M, Wrzosek M, Pavlic-Zupanc D, Maleme HM, Slippers B, MacCormack WP, Archuvy DI, Grünwald NJ, Teresa Tellería M, Dueñas M, Martín MP, Marincowitz S, de Beer ZW, et al (2013) Fungal Planet description sheets: 154–213. Persoonia. 31. doi: 10.3767/003158513X675925
Chen SF, Pavlic D, Roux J, Slippers B, Xie YJ, Wingfield MJ, Zhou XD (2011) Characterization of Botryosphaeriaceae from plantation-grown Eucalyptus species in South China. Plant Pathology. 60. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2011.02431.x
Chen SF, Lombard L, Roux J, Xie YJ, Wingfield MJ, Zhou XD (2011) Novel species of Calonectria associated with Eucalyptus leaf blight in Southeast China. Persoonia: Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi. 26. doi: 10.3767/003158511X555236
Chen S, Gryzenhout M, Roux J, Xie Y, Wingfield MJ, Zhou X (2011) Novel species of Celoporthe from Eucalyptus and Syzygium trees in China and Indonesia. Mycologia. 103. doi: 10.3852/11-006
Chen SF, Barnes I, Chungu D, Roux J, Wingfield MJ, Xie YJ, Zhou XD (2011) High population diversity and increasing importance of the Eucalyptus stem canker pathogen, Teratosphaeria zuluensis, in South China. Australasian Plant Pathology. 40. doi: 10.1007/s13313-011-0051-0
Chen SF, Gryzenhout M, Roux J, Xie YJ, Wingfield MJ, Zhou XD (2010) Identification and pathogenicity of Chrysoporthe cubensis on Eucalyptus and Syzygium spp. in South China. Plant Disease. 94. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-94-9-1143
Zhou XD, Xie YJ, Chen SF, Wingfield MJ (2008) Diseases of eucalypt plantations in China: Challenges and opportunities. Fungal Diversity. 32.
My Publications
Pham NQ, Liu FF, Duong TA, Wingfield BD, Chen SF, Wingfield MJ. (2025) Genetic diversity of Calonectria reteaudii isolates from infected Eucalyptus leaves and associated soils indicates a phyllosphere origin of the pathogen. Forest Pathology 10.1111/efp.70037
Li WW, Liu FF, Chen SF, Wingfield MJ, Duong TA. (2025) High genetic diversity and limited regional population differentiation in populations of Calonectria pseudoreteaudii from Eucalyptus plantations. Phytopathology 10.1094/PHYTO-05-24-0154-R
Chen BY, Wu WX, Chen SF. (2024) Wide distribution of Teratosphaeria epicoccoides and T. destructans associated with diseased Eucalyptus leaves in plantations in Southern China. Microorganisms 10.3390/microorganisms12010129
Coutinho TA, Carstensen G, Venter SN, Chen SF, Tarigan M, Wingfield MJ. (2024) Bacterial community in apparently healthy and asymptomatic Eucalyptus trees and those with symptoms of bacterial wilt. Journal of Plant Pathology 10.1007/s42161-024-01697-x
Wu WX, Chen SF. (2023) Wide distribution and intraspecies diversity in the pathogenicity of Calonectria in soil from Eucalyptus plantations in southern Guangxi of China. Journal of Fungi
Liu Y, Chen SF. (2023) Diversity and Distribution of Calonectria Species in Soils from Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis, Pinus massoniana, and Cunninghamia lanceolata Plantations in Four Provinces in Southern China. Journal of Fungi 10.3390/jof9020198
Liang XY, Wang QC, Chen SF. (2023) Phylogeny, Morphology, Distribution, and Pathogenicity of Seven Calonectria Species from Leaf Blighted Eucalyptus in HaiNai Island, China. Plant Disease
