Dr. Nityananda Khanal, P.Ag.

Image Nityananda Khanal
Research Scientist
  • Develop and execute innovative projects in forage seed crops and cropping systems management
  • Analyze and publish research results, and disseminate adaptive information
  • Network and collaborate with researchers across various organizations, industry groups and regional stakeholders
  • Provide expert advice to individual farmers and their associations
  • Strentghen research and development capacity of Forage Program at Beaverlodge Research Farm   
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Beaverlodge Research Farm, Beaverlodge, AB

Current research and/or projects

  1. Evaluation of economic and agro-ecological ​merits of diverse cropping sequences with perennial forage seed and annual field crops. Project term: 2021-2026

  2. Integrating genetic, agronomic and economic approach to improving environmental adaptability and end-use quality of creeping red fescue. Project term: 2018-2023

  3. Evaluating the seed yield potential of grass and legume cultivars. Project term: 2018-2023

  4. Population improvement of native and locally adapted grass and legume species. Project term: 2018-2023

  5. Improving the quality of grass and legume seed crops grown in Canada. Project term: 2018-2023

  6. Deciphering phenotypic effects of plant growth regulators on grass seed crops. Project term: 2018-2023

  7. Improving resiliency of seed production of turf and forage crops to disease. Project term: 2018-2023

  8. Integrated crop management to improve the quality and yield of forage and turf grasses. Project term: 2018-2023

  9. Enhancing seed yield and profitability of meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) seed crop in the multiple harvest years. Project term: 2018-2023

     

Collaborative projects

  1. Development of native and tame forage varieties and mixtures for improved forage and environmental productivity and resilience. Project term: 2018-2023

  2. Leverage and exploit Rhizobium Microbial Collection as a cold soil inoculant source for forage legume crops: clover, birdsfoot trefoil, and sainfoin. Project term: 2018-2021

  3. Novel biological for mitigation of abiotic stresses in forage legumes and reduced methane emissions by ruminants. Project term: 2018-2021

  4. Evaluation of forage Galega (Galega orientalis LAM.) as a new forage legume in pure and grass- legume mixed stands. Project term 2018-2021

Research and/or project statements

  • Evaluate the cumulative systems productivity and relative economic advantage of different cropping sequences comprised of forage seed crops and annual food crops
  • Increase multi-harvest seed yield and seed quality of forage and turf grass species through plant growth regulation, plant nutrition, stand health management, and population improvement
  • Identify prevalent diseases of forage seed crops, understand their epidemiology and devise effective management practices
  • Generate tolerance and efficacy data for herbicide options used on grass and legume seed crops and contribute to User Requested Minor Use Label Expansion (URMULE) program.

Professional activities / interests

  • Areas of expertise include plant ecophysiology, agronomy, plant breeding, and horticulture
  • Interest in participatory research and development with engagement of local stake-holders while expanding collaborative network at international level
  • Committed to provide graduate and co-op work-term opportunities to Canadian and international students

Education and awards

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy – Plant Science (2011), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Master of Science – Agricultural Systems (2000) Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Bachelor of Science – Agriculture (1994) Tribhuvan University, Nepal

AWARDS

  1. The Plant Sciences Outstanding PhD Student Award (2010)

  2. Plant Science Graduate Student Scholarship (2008-2010)

  3. Dollie Hantelman Postgraduate Scholarship (2008)

  4. Norman and Kathleen Lean Postgraduate Scholarship (2007)

  5. Purdy Postgraduate Scholarship (2007)

  6. Second Place Oral Presentation Prize in the 25th Annual Plant Science Symposium (2009)

  7. First Place Poster Prize in 14th Annual Life and Health Sciences Research Conference (2007)

  8. Second Place Poster Prize in the 15th Annual Life and Health Sciences Research Day (2008)

  9. Several conference travel bursaries (2007-2009)

  10. Mahendra Vidyabhushan Medal for Top Marks in Master’s Degree (2001)

  11. Ford Foundation Fellowship for Master’s degree (1998-2000)

  12. PAC-UK Scholarship Award for Bachelor Degree (1991-1994)

  13. ODA-UK Overseas Scholarship Award (1998-1999)

  14. Tribhuvan University Merit Scholarship (1984-1985)

Key publications

  1. Bhattarai, K., Khanal, N., Lupwayi, N., Malinda Thilakarathna, M., and Rahman, N. (2024) Soil aggregate stability and organic carbon after a decade of cropping system diversification. A poster presented in the 60th Alberta Soil Science Workshop held in Lethbridge, Alberta on February 20 to 22, 2024.

    2024 - View publication details

  2. Bhattarai, K., Khanal, N., Lupwayi, N., Malinda Thilakarathna, M., and Rahman, N. (2023) Assessing the long-term impact of perennial forage-based crop rotations on productivity, profitability, and soil health. Green Bagger Grad Student Presentation, organized by the Canadian Society of Agronomy on November 15, 2023.

    2023 - View publication details

  3. Khanal, N. and Klein-Gebbinck, H. (2023) Recent observations of foliar diseases on fall growth of creeping red fescue seed crop stand in the Peace region. The Forage Seed News, Fall 2023, Vol 30, Issue 2, pp 26-27.

    2023 - View publication details

  4. Khanal, N. (2023) Towards resilient forage seed crops-based cropping systems for tackling pest pressures and tapping opportunities of warming-humid climate in the Peace region of Canada. The Northern Horizon, Vol 46, Issue 16, August 18, 2023. pp 8-9. https://issuu.com/northernpublishing/docs/hor-2023-0818-de

    2023 - View publication details

  5. Khanal, N. (2023) Giving Canadian sod growers a competitive advantage! Integrating a genetic, agronomic, and economic approach to improving environmental adaptability and end use quality of creeping red fescue. https://cohaconnections.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/COHA-Cluster-3-Project-Factsheet_Khanal_2023-08-16.pdf

    2023 - View publication details

  6. Khanal, N., Azooz, R., Lupwayi N., Otani, J., and Yoder, C. (2022) Integrating perennial forage seed crops in the cropping systems in western Canada: An agroecological and economic assessment. Oral presentation in the 3rd NAPA Biennial Scientific Conference held on site (in Atlanta, GA) and virtual hybrid mode on May 27-29, 2022.

    2023 - View publication details

  7. Pandey, B., Khanal, N., Rahman, N., and Bork, E. (2023) Effect of plant growth regulators on physiological and agronomic characteristics of grass seed crops in western Canada. Oral presentation in the 3rd NAPA Biennial Scientific Conference held on site (in Atlanta, GA) and virtual hybrid mode on May 27-29, 2022

    2023 - View publication details

  8. Khanal, N., Rahman, N., Yoder, C. and Gauthier, T. (2022) Integrating genetic, agronomic & economic approach to improving environmental adaptability & end use quality of creeping red fescue, 2018-2022. Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance, Annual Research Webinar, February 22, 2023

    2023 - View publication details

  9. Khanal, N., Lupwayi, N. Z., Azooz, R., & Rahman, N. (2022) Beneficial Sequence of Perennial Forage Seed Crops and Annual Food Crops in Crop Rotations in Western Canada [Abstract]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD. Nov 6-9, 2022 https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2022am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/141405

    2022 - View publication details

  10. Khanal N (2022). Transformative pathway towards food sovereignty, circular economy, and agroecosystems health. Presentation in the NAPA Webinar Series 32, October 30, 2022. A summary featured in the Agri-connection Vol 7, Issue 4, Pages 14-15. https://napaamericas.org/downloads/ac-newsletter/AC.7.4.pdf

    2022 - View publication details

  11. Khanal, N. (2022) Forage seed in annual crop rotations. Ep 15 Podcast. Knowledge for resilience in the peace. https://knowledgeforresilience.podbean.com/e/forage-seed-in-annual-crop-rotations-ep15-nitya-khanal/

    2022 - View publication details

  12. Khanal, N. (2022) Shaping the future of advanced agriculture: an opinion. Agri-Connection 7(2&3): 40-42.

    2022 - View publication details

  13. Khanal, N. and Gauthier, T. (2022) Crop rotation: a beneficial practice for sustainable cropping systems. The Northern Horizon, Vol 45, Issue 18, September 2, 2022. https://issuu.com/thenorthernhorizon/docs/northernhorizon-01-2022-0902

    2022 - View publication details

  14. Khanal, N. (2022) Fodder Galega: A Promising Forage Legume for Peace River Region. Forage First 91st Edition, Summer 2022, p. 5-7 (A Quarterly Newsletter published by Peace River Forage Association of BC.

    2022 - View publication details

  15. Khanal, N., Rahman, N. and Pandey, B. (2022) A Glimpse at Hidden Half of Plants. Forage First 90th Edition, Spring 2022, p. 9-10 (A Quarterly Newsletter published by Peace River Forage Association of BC.)

    2022 - View publication details

  16. Khanal, N., Yoder, C., Rahman, N. and Gauthier T. (2022). Peace Region Forage Cultivar Testing (PRFCT) Program: Annual Report 2021. Coordinated by Peace Region Forage Seed Association in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, Alberta

    2022 - View publication details

  17. Khanal, N., Yoder, C., Rahman, N. and Gauthier T. (2022). Peace Region Forage Cultivar Testing (PRFCT) Program: Annual Report 2021. Coordinated by Peace Region Forage Seed Association in collaboration with
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research Farm, Alberta

    2022 - View publication details

  18. Khanal, N., Rahman, N., Yoder, C. and Gauthier, T. (2022) Integrating genetic, agronomic & economic approach to improving environmental adaptability & end use quality of creeping red fescue: Progress till February 2022. Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance, Annual Research Webinar, February 17, 2022

    2022 - View publication details

  19. Khanal, N., Yoder, C. L., Azooz, R., Rahman, N., Otani, J. K., Klein-Gebbinck, H., Leighton P. M. & Gauthier T. M. (2021) Is plant growth regulator application reliable option for forage seed crop management in the Peace River region of Canada? In proceedings of Tri-Society Virtual Conference - Innovation In Plant Science And Agricultural Resilience. J u l y 5 - 9 , 2 0 2 1; p 62. https://phytopath.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/TriSociety-Flipbook.pdf

    2021 - View publication details

  20. Khanal, N., Yoder, C., Azooz, R., Rahman, N., Otani, J., Klein-Gebbinck, H., Leighton, P. M., & Gauthier, T. (2021) Responses of Forage Grass Seed Crops to Plant Growth Regulators in the Peace River Region of Canada [Abstract]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2021am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/133907

    2021 - View publication details

Contact

Research facility

Lacombe Research and Development Centre
6000 C and E Trail
Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1
Canada

Expertise

Agriculture›Agronomy
Agriculture›Breeding›Forage
Agriculture›Ecophysiology
Agriculture›Forages
Agriculture›Horticulture›Agronomy

Affiliations

Member of five professional societies including Alberta Institute of Agrologists, Canadian Society of Agronomy, Canadian Society of Plant Biologists, American Society of Agronomy and Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas.

Language

English

Other languages

Nepali, Hindi