Research

Research Grants/Projects

1. Project Title:
   Diversity and Identification of the Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Agricultural Cropping Systems in Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts- Grant Number: URG/2025/SEIT/02

• Principal Investigator:
  Dr. N. Thiruchchelvan

• Co-Supervisor:
  Prof. K. Pakeerathan

• Funding Source:
  University Research Grant, University of Jaffna

• Grant Amount:
  LKR 800,000

• Project Description:
  This research project aims to investigate the diversity and distribution of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with major agricultural cropping systems in the Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts. The study focuses on the identification of nematode species and their prevalence in different cropping environments, providing essential information for the development of effective nematode management strategies and sustainable agricultural production in Northern Sri Lanka.

Research Experiences

1. Supervisor for the students' projects

• • Supervising and co-supervising the undergraduate students at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna since 2018. 

  • Supervisor and Co-supervisor for the 25 Students’ research projects at the Department of Post-harvest Technology, University College of Anuradhapura, University of Vocational Technology, with different topics. (Such as post-harvest pests and disease management, Sustainable aquaponics system development and evaluations, Storage Studies, Maturity indices, food processing) 

Research career 

1. Research project for PhD in Plant Protection [Nematology]

• Thiruchchelvan, N., Kularathna, M., Moukarzel, R., Casonato, S., & Condron, L.  2024. Assessing the prevalence, diversity, and effect of plant-parasitic nematodes on maize (Zea mays L.). PhD in Plant Protection [Nematology], Lincoln University, New Zealand.

2. Research Project for MPhil in Agricultural Biology [Plant Protection]

• N Thiruchchelvan, G. Thirukkumaran, and G. Mikunthan, 2018. Isolation, characterisation, and small-scale production of the entomopathogenic nematode Acrobeloides longiuterus for potential pest management. M.Phil in Agricultural Biology (Plant protection), University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. 

3. Research Project for  BSc in Agriculture 

• N Thiruchchelvan, G. Thirukkumaran and G. Mikunthan, 2011. Occurrences of  Marasmiellus inoderma stem rot on banana in Jaffna and the potential of Bio-rationals on its management, B. Sc dissertation, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.