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Contact

University of Idaho

Physical Address:
E. J. Iddings Agricultural Science Laboratory, Rm 242
606 S Rayburn St

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2333
Moscow, ID 83844-2333

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Kamal Khadka

Kamal Khadka

Assistant Professor

Office

Ag Science, Room 328B

Phone

208-885-6710

Mailing Address

Department of Plant Sciences
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2333
Moscow, Idaho 83844-2333

Kamal aims to develop genetically superior Brassica cultivars by exploiting a broad genetic base through the identification and introgression of genes associated with desirable traits using advanced breeding tools.

Ph.D., University of Guelph, Canada, 2020
M.S., Tribhuvan University, Nepal, 2007
B.S., Tribhuvan University, Nepal, 2005

  • Broaden Brassica genetic base
  • Investigate advanced breeding methods and tools to improve Brassica cultivars
  • Develop superior Brassica cultivars suitable for Idaho, the Pacific Northwest and other regions of the United States
  • Adopt a participatory approach to breeding to develop client-oriented Brassica cultivars
  • International research and development

  • Khadka K., Kaviani, M., Raizada, M.N., Navabi, A. Phenotyping and Identification of Reduced Height (Rht) Alleles (Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b) in a Nepali Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Diversity Panel to Enable Seedling Vigor Selection. Agronomy. 2021; 11(12):2412. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11122412.
  • Khadka, K., Burt, A. J., Earl, H. J., Raizada, M. N., and Navabi, A. (2021). Does leaf waxiness confound the use of NDVI in the assessment of chlorophyll when evaluating genetic diversity panels of wheat ? Agronomy 11, 486. doi:https://doi. org/10.3390/agronomy11030486.
  • Khadka, K., Earl, H., Raizada, M., and Navabi, A. (2020a). A physio-morphological trait-based approach for breeding drought tolerant wheat. Front. plant 11, 715. doi:10.3389/fpls.2020.00715.
  • Khadka, K., Torkamaneh, D., Kaviani, M., Belzile, F., Raizada, M. N., and Navabi, A. (2020c). Population structure of Nepali spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm. BMC Plant Biol. 20, 530. doi:10.1186/s12870-020-02722-8.
  • Khadka, K., Raizada, M. N., and Navabi, A. (2020b). Recent progress in germplasm evaluation and gene mapping to enable breeding of drought-tolerant wheat. Front. Plant Sci. 11, 1149. doi:10.3389/fpls.2020.01149.
  • Witcombe, J. R., Khadka, K., Puri, R. R., Khanal, N. P., Sapkota, A., and Joshi, K. D. (2017a). Adoption of rice varieties. 2. Accelerating upake. Exp. Agric. 53, 627–643. doi:10.1017/S0014479716000624.
  • Witcombe, J. R., Khadka, K., Puri, R. R., Khanal, N. P., Sapkota, A., and Joshi, K. D. (2017b). Adoption of rice varieties - I. Age of varieties and patterns of variability. Exp. Agric. 53, 512–527. doi:10.1017/S0014479716000545.

My current research focus is on the development of genetically superior Brassica cultivars (oilseed/condiment mustard/oilseed for biodiesel) suited to the diverse Idaho environments, the Pacific Northwest and other regions in the United States. Recently, I evaluated corn hybrids to assess the heritable contribution of the microbiome to hybrid vigor and field variation. Specialized in plant breeding and genetics; the highlight of my career includes a major contribution to the participatory research and development, and registration of two maize and four rice varieties for the hills and high production potential areas of Nepal, respectively. I developed a deep fascination for conservation breeding after my engagement in the assessment of landraces of NUS crops such as small millets and ricebean. Involvement in wheat, dryland rice, high-altitude rice and potato breeding programs helped me tremendously to broaden my knowledge. Furthermore, I contributed to writing successful grants totalling ~ $8 million (USD) funded by DFID (UK), USAID, Global Affairs Canada through IDRC (Ottawa, Canada) and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) for different multi-national and multi-partner projects. It is also extremely satisfying that I had the opportunity to work in a large sphere of collaboration including GOs, I/NGOs, Universities, CGIAR centers, donor agencies and farming communities.

  • Best poster presentation award (second position): Poster presented at the 9th Canadian Wheat Fusarium Head Blight (CWFHB) and 4th Canadian Wheat Symposium (CWS) Conference, November 18-23, 2018, Winnipeg, Canada
  • Best poster presentation award (first position): Poster presented at the 88th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Phytopathological Society (CPS) and the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society of Agronomy (CSA), June 18-22, 2017, Winnipeg, Canada
  • IDRC Graduate Research Award, International Development Centre (IDRC), Canada 2017
  • Craig Pearson International Scholarship, Ontario Agriculture College, University of Guelph, 2016
  • Best Technical Officer Award, Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD), Nepal, 2009

Contact

University of Idaho

Physical Address:
E. J. Iddings Agricultural Science Laboratory, Rm 242
606 S Rayburn St

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2333
Moscow, ID 83844-2333

Directions