Youping Sun

Plants, Soils, & Climate (PSC)

Associate Professor | Landscape Horticulture


Youping Sun

Contact Information

Office Location: AGRS 336
Phone: 435-797-2972
Email: youping.sun@usu.edu
Additional Information:

Educational Background

PhD, Plant Science, The University of Maine, 2010
MS, Biochemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, 2004
BS, Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, 2001
Non Commercial Pesticide Applicator, State of Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, 2017

Biography

Dr. Sun received a Ph.D. degree in Plant Science at the University of Maine. Prior to USU, he worked at Clemson University and Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center.

Teaching Interests

Plant Propagation
Plant Stress Physiology
Applied Statistics in Agricultural Research

Research Interests

My area of research is landscape horticulture with an emphasis on water conservation. Specifically, my research focuses on better understanding whole-plant responses to water stress and promoting the use of native plants for water-efficient landscaping through developing efficient propagation protocols and sustainable cultural practices.

Awards

Early Career Competition, 2022

American Society for Horticultural Science

ASHS Nursery Crops Distinguished Achievement Award, 2021

American Society for Horticultural Science

CAAS Faculty Researcher of the Year, 2021

College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Early Career Competition, 2019

American Society for Horticultural Science

ASHS Outstanding Ornamental Publication Award, 2018

American Society for Horticultural Science


Publications | Abstracts

  • Chen, J., Sun, Y., Oki, L., Sisneroz, J., Reid, K., Nackley, L., Contreras, R., Kim, S., Schuch, U., Haver, ., Kopp, K., Jones, S., Hipps, ., (2023). Climate-Ready Landscape Plants: Garden Roses Trialed in Utah. HortScience 58(9): S272-273 (Abstr.)
  • Nepal, P., Wang, Z., Paudel, A., Sun, Y., (2023). Evaluating two penstemon species for salinity tolerance. HortScience 58(9): S299 (Abstr.)
  • Paudel, A., Sun, Y., (2023). Evaluating two penstemon species for salinity tolerance. HortScience 58(9): S250 (Abstr.)
  • Paudel, A., Sun, Y., Kaundal, A., (2023). Response of Punica granatum ‘Wonderful’ to salinity stress. HortScience 58(9): S55-56 (Abstr.)
  • Mathews, J., Sun, Y., Kopp, k., McAvoy, D., Price, S., (2023). Sap yield, sugar content, and mineral composition of bigtooth maples in Utah. HortScience 58(9): S278 (Abstr.)
  • Chen, J., Sun, Y., Kopp, K., (2022). Detecting drought stress of penstemons using infrared thermal imaging. HortScience 57(9): S58. (Abstr.)
  • Mathews, J., Sun, Y., Harris, P., Kopp, K., McAvoy, D., Price, S., St. Hilaire, R., (2022). Determining sap yield, sugar contents, and mineral composition of boxelder and Norway maples. HortScience 57(9): S4 (Abstr.)
  • Chen, J., Mathews, J., Paudel, A., Sun, Y., (2022). Field trials of 26 ornamental grass and grass-like plants. HortScience 57(9): S129 (Abstr.)
  • Paudel, A., Sanders, M., Sun, Y., (2022). Nodulation of Ceanothus velutinus. HortScience 57(9): S5 (Abstr.)
  • Paudel, A., Sun, Y., (2022). Responses of Utah native plants to saline water irrigation. HortScience 57(9): S200 (Abstr.)
  • Sun, Y., (2022). Sustainable landscape horticulture program. HortScience 57(9): S58 (Abstr.)
  • Chen, J., Jones, S., Sun, Y., (2021). Water Content Sensor Integrity: Is Your Sensor Still Accurate?. Tri-societies Conference (ASA, CSSA, SSSA Annual Meeting) *
  • Paudel, A., Sun, Y., Harris, P., Wytsalucy, R., Stewart, R., Exploration of whether scionwood of single-leaf pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla), a promising nut-tree crop native to the Great Basin, USA, can be successfully grafted in the summer and fall. XV World Forestry Congress *
  • Matthews, J., Chen, J., Sun, Y., (2021). Application of Sensorweb™ irrigation control system in plant production. HortScience 56(9): S18. (Abstr.) *
  • Chen, J., Sun, Y., (2021). Buffaloberry changes its leaf morphology and reflectivity under water stress. HortScience 56(9): S214. (Abstr.) *
  • Paudel, A., Sun, Y., (2021). Determining the salt tolerance of woody ornamental plants for landscape use. HortScience 56(9): S195. (Abstr.) *
  • Paudel, A., Sun, Y., Rupp, L.A, Carman, J.G, Love, S., (2021). Developing Ceanothus velutinus for nursery production and landscape use. HortScience 56(9): S237-238. (Abstr.) *
  • Paudel, A., Sun, Y., (2021). Pinyon pine grafting: new approach for pine nut production. International Plant Propagator’s Society (IPPS) *
  • Paudel, A., Sun, Y., (2021). Propagation of single-leaf pinyon pine for pine nut production. HortScience 56(9): S159-160. (Abstr.) *
  • Paudel, A., Sun, Y., (2021). Responses of Utah native plants to saline water irrigation. HortScience 57(9): S200. (Abstr.) *
  • Perez, C., Sun, Y., Niu, G., Alexander, L.W, (2021). Salinity tolerance of Dichroa x Hydrangea hybrids. HortScience 56(9): S214. (Abstr.) *
  • Paudel, A., Sun, Y., (2020). Asexual propagation of Ceanothus velutinus. HortScience 55(9): S34. (Abstr.) *
  • Paudel, A., Chen, J., Sun, Y., (2020). Determining the salt tolerance of two penstemons using a near-continuous gradient dosing system. HortScience 55(9): S339-340. (Abstr.) *
  • Chen, J., Mathews, J., Paudel, A., Sun, Y., (2020). Field trials of 26 ornamental grass and grass-like plants. HortScience 57(9): S129. (Abstr.) *
  • Paudel, A., Sanders, M., Sun, Y., (2020). Nodulation of Ceanothus velutinus. HortScience 57(9): S5. (Abstr.) *
  • Chen, J., Kratsch, H., Norton, J., Sun, Y., (2020). Nodulation of Shepherdia x utahensis ‘Torrey’ topdressed with controlled-release fertilizer. HortScience 55(9): S187-188. (Abstr.) *
  • Paudel, A., Sun, Y., Rupp, L.A, Carman, J.G, Love, S., (2020). Overcoming seed dormancy in Ceanothus velutinus and Cercocarpus montanus. HortScience 55(9): S132-133. (Abstr.) *
  • Hershkowitz, J., Xing, H., Paudel, A., Chen, J., Sun, Y., Dai, X., (2020). Salinity tolerance of six ornamental grass species. HortScience 55(9): S113-114. (Abstr.) *
  • Chen, J., Xing, H., Paudel, A., Sun, Y., Niu, G., (2020). Salinity tolerance of twelve viburnum taxa. HortScience 55(9): S113. (Abstr.) *
  • Sun, Y., (2020). Sustainable landscape horticulture program. HortScience 57(9): S58. (Abstr.) *
  • Chen, J., Zheng, S., Sun, Y., (2020). Using NDVI sensors to determine the chlorophyll content of Shepherdia x utahensis ‘Torrey’. HortScience 55(9): S340. (Abstr.) *
  • Sun, Y., (2020). Workshop: statistics in horticultural research: problems and solutions. HortScience 55(9): S170. (Abstr.) *
  • Chen, J., Wang, Y., Paudel, A., Sun, Y., (2019). Comparing the salt tolerance of three landscape plants using near continuous gradient dosing system. HortScience 54(9): S283. (Abstr.) *
  • Paudel, A., Snow, N., Sun, Y., Rupp, L., Carman, J., (2019). Micropropagation of Cercocarpus Montanus: stage II. HortScience 54(9): S198-199. (Abstr.) *
  • Hooks, T., Niu, G., Dou, H., Sun, Y., (2019). Performance and phytochemical analysis of 22 varieties of pomegranate (Punica granatum) in West Texas. HortScience 54(9): S101. (Abstr.) *
  • Paudel, A., Sun, Y., Rupp, L.A, Carman, J.G, (2019). Propagation of Cercocarpus montanus, a native woody plant. International Plant Propagators Society *
  • Hershkowitz, J., Li, L., Wang, Y., Sun, Y., Dai, X., (2019). Salt Tolerance of five spirea species. HortScience 54(9): S290-291. (Abstr.) *
  • Paudel, A., Guo, S., Chen, J., Wang, Y., Sun, Y., Rupp, L., Anderson, R., (2019). Salt tolerance of Sego Supreme plants. HortScience 54(9): S283. (Abstr.) *
  • Song, G., Gu, S., Sun, Y., (2018). Application of new breeding technologies for improving horticultural crops. HortScience 53(9): S13. (Abstr.) *
  • Niu, G., Hooks, T., Perez, C., Sun, Y., Dou, H., (2018). Relative salt tolerance of 11 varieties of hydrangea. HortScience 53(9): S272. (Abstr.) *
  • Palmer, A., Sun, Y., (2018). Relative salt tolerance of ornamental grasses and grass-like plants. HortScience 53(9): S301. (Abstr.) *
  • Sun, Y., Niu, G., Masabni, J., Ganjegunte, G., (2018). Salt tolerance of Punica granatum ‘Wonderful’. HortScience 53(9): S350. (Abstr.) *
  • Li, L., Qian, X., Zhou, G., Yao, C., Sun, Y., (2018). Single molecule real time transcript sequencing unveiled flowering regulatory genes in Crocus sativus. HortScience 53(9): S322-323. (Abstr.) *
  • Niu, G., Hooks, T., Perez, C., Dou, H., Sun, Y., Masabni, J., (2018). Texas pomegranate variety trial: differences in yield and fruit quality. HortScience 53(9): S388-389. (Abstr.) *
  • Chen, L., Sun, Y., Niu, G., Liu, H., (2017). Anatomical analysis of Cypripedium root and associated mycorrhizal fungi. HortScience 52(9): S397-398. (Abstr.) *
  • Sun, Y., Niu, G., Chen, L., Liu, Q., (2017). Effect of salinity of base water source on growth and quality of four leafy vegetables in a NFT system. HortScience 52(9): S342-343. (Abstr.) *
  • Sun, Y., Niu, G., Chen, L., (2017). Effect of shade cloth and kaolin clay on pomegranate fruit sunburn. HortScience 52(9): S354. (Abstr.) *
  • Sun, Y., Niu, G., (2017). Field trials of 22 pomegranate cultivars in west texax - a preliminary report. HortScience 52(9): S352. (Abstr.) *
  • Sun, Y., Niu, G., Rodriguez, D., Masabni, J., (2017). Field trials of twelve asian vegetables in West Texas. HortScience 52(9): S440-S441. (Abstr.) *
  • Sun, Y., Niu, G., Pemberton, B., (2017). Relative salt tolerance of marigold cultivars. HortScience 52(9): S303. (Abstr.) *
  • Liu, Q., Sun, Y., Niu, G., Jiang, L., (2017). Salt tolerance of Cornus alba seedlings. HortScience 52(9): S328. (Abstr.) *

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

    Publications | Book Chapters

  • Sun, Y., Niu, G., Li, P., Masabni, J., (2018). Salt tolerant bioenergy crops for improving productivity of marginal lands: Innovations in Agricultural & Biological Engineering -Technological Interventions in Management of Irrigated Agriculture. Apple Academic Press, Inc. *
  • Liu, Q., Sun, Y., Chen, J., Li, P., Niu, G., Li, C., Jiang, L., (2018). Symplocos paniculata (Sapphire Berry): a woody and energy-efficient oil plant: Innovations in Agricultural & Biological Engineering - Technological Interventions in Management of Irrigated Agriculture. Apple Academic Press, Inc.

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Fact Sheets

    An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

    Publications | Journal Articles

    Academic Journal

    An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

    Publications | Technical Reports

    Research Reports

    • Rupp, L.A, Kopp, K., Endter-Wada, J.L, Sun, Y., Johnson, P.G, Schaible, C., (2019). Annual Report of the Center for Water Efficient Landscaping (2019). *
    • Rupp, L.A, Endter-Wada, J.L, Johnson, P.G, Kopp, K., Sun, Y., Wheaton, A., (2018). Annual Report of the Center for Water Efficient Landscaping (2018). *

    An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

    Publications | Other

    Bulletins

    • Paudel, A., Sun, Y., (2021). Determining the salt tolerance of two penstemon species using a near-continuous gradient dosing system. Bulletin of the American Penstemon Society *

    An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

    Teaching

    PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation, Fall 2023
    PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation, Fall 2023
    PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation, Fall 2023
    PSC 5280, 6280 - Plant Stress Physiology, Spring 2023
    PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation, Fall 2022
    PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation, Fall 2022
    PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation, Fall 2022
    PSC 6080 - Applied Statistics in Agricultural Research, Spring 2022
    PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation, Fall 2021
    PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation, Fall 2021
    PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation, Fall 2021
    PSC 6900 - Special Problems in Plants, Soils, and Climate, Spring 2021
    PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation, Fall 2020
    PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation, Fall 2020
    PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation, Fall 2020
    PSC 6900 - Special Problems in Plants, Soils, and Climate, Spring 2020
    PSC 6900 - Special Problems in Plants, Soils, and Climate, Spring 2020
    PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation, Fall 2019
    PSC 6900 - Special Problems in Plants, Soils, and Climate, Spring 2019
    PSC 6900 - Special Problems in Plants, Soils, and Climate, Fall 2018

    Extension

    Education on waterwise landscape design and efficient irrigation, 2022 - Ongoing

    Graduate Students Mentored

    Abby Porter, Plants, Soils, and Climate, May 2024
    Zirui Wang, Plants, Soils, and Climate, January 2023
    Jesse Mathews, Plants, Soils, and Climate, August 2022
    Prakriti Nepal, Plants, Soils, and Climate, August 2022
    Asmita Paudel, Plants, Soils, and Climate, January 2021 - May 2024
    Ji-Jhong Chen, Plants, Soils, and Climate, September 2020 - August 2023
    Asmita Paudel, Plants, Soils, and Climate, August 2018 - December 2020
    Ji-Jhong Chen, Plants, Soils, and Climate, August 2018 - August 2020