Churamani Khanal

Assistant Professor, Plant Nematology
Plant and Environmental Sciences Department

Office: 210 Biosystems Research Complex
Phone: 864-656-5741

Email: ckhanal@clemson.edu

Educational Background

Ph.D.
Louisiana State University 2017

M.S.
University of Arkansas 2014

B.S.
Tribhuvan University 2010

Courses Taught

Plant Nematology (PLPA 6590, Spring of odd years)

Plant Disease Diagnosis (PLPA 4110/6110, Team-taught, Summer of odd years)

Identification of nematodes (A week-long course, Fall of every year)

Profile

Dr. Khanal is a nematologist in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Clemson University. He conducts basic and applied research in nematology with the broad objective of understanding the biology of plant-parasitic nematodes so the knowledge can be utilized for the development of a cost-effective and durable nematode management program. Dr. Khanal also runs a nematode diagnostic lab to help growers, researchers, home gardeners, and related personnel understand the types of nematodes present in their soil, damage potential of the nematodes, and possible nematode management practices. Professional organizations that Dr. Khanal has been involved with are the Society of nematologists (SON), Organization of Nematologists of Tropical America (ONTA), and American Phytopathological Society (APS).

Research Interests

The primary research interests of Dr. Khanal include an understanding of the biology of plant-parasitic nematodes and their interactions with other pathogens and hosts; identification of the source of nematode resistance; development of integrated pest management strategies for established and emerging plant-parasitic nematodes; and dissemination of results to stakeholders. Dr. Khanal is also interested in research employing currently available technologies to find a sustainable solution for current and future nematode management problems. Crops of interest include field crops (cotton, soybean, peanut, grain sorghum, legumes), fruit trees, vegetable crops, ornamental plants, and turf. The ultimate research goal of Dr. Khanal is to safeguard agricultural crops from plant-parasitic nematodes by studying nematode biology, ecology, and epidemiology.

Extension and Outreach

Although Dr. Khanal does not have any formal extension appointment, he is interested in working with extension faculties, county agents, and growers to conduct demand-driven research.

Publications

PEER-REVIEW JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS:
Khanal C., and J. A. Desaeger. 2020. On-farm evaluations of non-fumigant nematicides on cucurbits in Florida. Crop Protection: doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2020.105152

Kularathna, M. T., C. Overstreet, E. C. McGawley, S. R. Stetina, C. Khanal, B. McInnes, and F. M. C. Godoy. 2019. Pathogenicity and reproduction of isolates of reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis, from Louisiana on soybean. Nematropica 49:31-41.

Godoy, F. M. C, C. Overstreet, E. C. McGawley, C. A. Hollier, M. T. Kularathna, and C. Khanal. 2019. Incidence of Aphelenchoides besseyi in rice in Louisiana and host status of the most widely planted cultivars. Nematropica 49:107-123.

Khanal, C., Kularathna, M. T., Ray, J. D., Stetina, S. R., McGawley, E. C., and Overstreet, C. 2019. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Analysis Using KASP Assay Reveal Genetic Variability in populations of Rotylenchulus reniformis. Plant Disease 103:1835-1842.

Khanal, C., E. C. McGawley, C. Overstreet, S. R. Stetina, G. O. Myers, M. T. Kularathna, B. McInnes, and F. M. C. Godoy. 2018. Reproduction and pathogenicity of endemic populations of Rotylenchulus reniformis on cotton. Nematropica 48:68-81.

Khanal, C., E. C. McGawley, C. Overstreet, and S. R. Stetina. 2018. The elusive search for reniform nematode resistance in cotton. Phytopathology 108:532-541.

Khanal, C., A. L. Szalanski, T. R. Faske, and R. T. Robbins. 2016. Identification and haplotype designation of Meloidogyne spp. of Arkansas using molecular diagnostics. Nematropica 46:261-270.

Khanal, C., A. L. Szalanski, and R. T. Robbins. 2016. First report of Meloidogyne partityla parasitizing pecan in Arkansas and confirmation of Quercus stellate as a host. Nematropica 46:1-7.

ABSTRACT PUBLICATIONS:
Khanal, C., H. Regmi, and J. Desaeger. 2019. Employment of thermotherapy for non-chemical management of nematodes of strawberry transplants. Journal of Nematology 51:24.

Regmi, H., N. Abdelsamad, C. Khanal, P. DiGennaro, and J. Desaeger. 2019 Potential of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) for management of root-knot nematode in tomato. Journal of Nematology 51:35.

Khanal, C., E. C. McGawley, C. Overstreet, and M. Kularathna. 2017. Microplot research supports the existence of virulence phenotypes in populations of reniform nematodes endemic in Louisiana. Journal of Nematology 49:506.

Kularathna, M., C. Overstreet, E. C. McGawley, S. Stetina, C. Khanal, F. M. C. Godoy, and D. M. Xavier-Mis. 2017. Reproduction and pathogenicity of native isolates of Rotylenchulus reniformis, from Louisiana on soybean. Journal of Nematology 49:508.

Khanal, C., E. C. McGawley, and C. Overstreet. 2016. Assessment of geographic isolates of endemic populations of Rotylenchulus reniformis against selected cotton germplasm lines. Journal of Nematology 48:337.

Khanal, C., R. T. Robbins, E. C. McGawley, and C. Overstreet. 2015. Meloidogyne spp. associated with soybean in Arkansas. Pp. 19 in Proceedings of Southern Soybean Disease Workers.

Khanal, C., and R. T. Robbins. 2014. Meloidogyne partityla, a root-knot species new to Arkansas. Phytopathology 104:S2.6.

Khanal, C., W. Ye, and R. T. Robbins. 2014. A new record of Meloidogyne partityla and an unknown species of Punctodera from Arkansas. Phytopathology 104:S3.59.

Khanal, C., and R. T. Robbins. 2013. Expanded host range of Heterodera urticae from Arkansas. Journal of Nematology 45:284-285.

EXTENSION PUBLICATIONS:
Singh, R., R. Strahan, K. Fontenot, M. H. Ferguson, C. Khanal, T. Burks, and S. Melhado. 2019. Integrated pest management in tabasco pepper seed production. LSU AgCenter.

Khanal, C., and S. Smith. 2013. Black spot of rose. Plant health clinic news: University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. https://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/plant-health-clinic/docs/2013_Plant_Health_Clinic_Newsletters/plant%20health%20clinic%20newsletter%2020.pdf