Dr. Jianjun Chen

Professor of Plant Physiology

Contact Jianjun:

Email: jjchen@ufl.edu

Phone: 407-814-6161

Dr. Jianjun Chen on Google Scholar

Dr. Jianjun Chen's Extension Publications

Dr. Jianjun Chen is a professor of plant physiology in the Department of Environmental Horticulture. He is a researcher and educator who focuses on how plants function. He is specifically interested in how genetic, environmental, and cultural factors influence the growth and development of specialty crops. By better understanding how plants interact with their surroundings, horticulturalists will be able to improve current plant breeding and production practices to minimize environmental impact.

A passionate educator, Chen works closely with Florida ornamental plant industry professionals developing new plant cultivars, plant production practices, interiorscape and improving plant quality through proper water and nutrient management during propagation. Chen is passionate about collaborating with faculty statewide to create data-driven recommendations for growers in Florida.

• Research Specialization

  1. Environmental physiology of specialty crops;
  2. Somatic cell genetics and its application for new cultivar development;
  3. Sustainable management of invasive species;
  4. Phytoremediation for improving environmental quality. ­

• Recent Research Publications

  • Zeng, R-Z., J. Zhu, S-Y. Xu, G-H. Du, H-R. Guo, J. Chen, Z-S. Zhang, and L. Xie. 2020. Unreduced male gamete formation in Cymbidium and its use for developing sexual polyploid cultivars. Frontiers in Plant Science 11:558. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00558

    Guan, X., W. Wang, Q. Ye, Q. Xie, Z. Li, Q. Chen, and J. Chen. 2019. De novo transcriptomic sequencing unraveled the molecular mechanisms of VvmybA1 underlying the alteration of Ficus lyrata leaf color. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 41:16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-019-2809-x

  • Pham, P., Y. Li, H. Guo, Zeng, R., Xie, L., Zhang, Z., J. Chen, Q. Su, and Q. Xia. 2019. Changes in morphological characteristics, regeneration ability, and polysaccharide content in tetraploid Dendrobium officinale. HortScience 54:1879-1886. https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/54/11/article-p1879.xml

  • Zheng, Y., B. Wang, A.E. Creamer, J. Chen, and B. Gao. 2019. Reclaiming phosphorus from secondary treated municipal wastewater with engineered biochar. Chemical Engineering Journal 362:460-468.

  • Beeson, R.C. Jr., and J. Chen. 2018. Quantification of daily water requirements of container grown Calathea and Stromanthe produced in a shaded greenhouse. Water 10, 1194; doi: 10.3390/w10091194

• Popular Extension Publications

  A comprehensive list of Dr. Chen's EDIS publications can be found here. Below is a select list of his most popular publications.

  • Using Gibberellic Acid and Ethephon to Induce Flowers on Tropical Foliage Plants: http://www.edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep447

  • Cultural Guidelines for Commercial Production of Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’): http://www.edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep550

  • Planting and Propagation of Snapdragons in Florida: http://www.edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep549

  • Cultural Guidelines for Commercial Production of Purple Passion Plant (Gynura aurantiaca): http://www.edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep346

  • Spathiphyllum Flowering - Keys to the Future: http://www.edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep320

  • Florida Foliage House Plant Care: Adenium obesum: http://www.edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep474

• Education
  • Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics - 1991 
  • M.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison, Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics - 1988
  • B.S., Huazhong Agricultural University, Horticultural Sciences - 1982