Manoj Chhetri

Research Interests:

My research interests encompass several critical aspects of turfgrass management and performance. I'm particularly focusing on turfgrass management under environmental stresses, such as shade, cold, heat, and traffic. Additionally, I am interested in exploring how plant growth regulators can be optimized to improve the quality and resilience of golf course and sports turf. I'm also expanding my interest in evaluating cultural and chemical methods of turfgrass weed control.

Teaching Responsibilities: 

TURF 238- Weed Control in Turf & Ornamentals (Resident & World Campus) 

TURF 425- Turfgrass Cultural Systems (Resident & World Campus) 

TURF 853- Interpreting Turfgrass Science Literature (World Campus) 

TURF 923A- Weed control in Turfgrass (2-yr program) 

TURF 925A- Turfgrass Cultural Systems (2-yr program) 

Professional Background:

· Regional Extension Specialist in Horticulture, University of Missouri, 2022-2024

· Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant, Kansas State University, 2018-2021

· M.S. Graduate Research Assistant, Oklahoma State University, 2015-2017

· District Extension Specialist, Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy, Research, Extension, and Development (CEAPRED), Nepal, 2011-2015

Publications: 

• McNally, B.C., Chhetri, M., Patton, A.J., Liu, W., Hoyle, J.A., Brosnan, J.T., Richardson, M.D., Bertucci, M.B., Braun, R.C., Fry, J.D. (2024). Optimizing ethephon application timing for 'Meyer' zoysiagrass seedhead suppression. Crop Science (In press). 

• Chhetri, M., Fry, J., Kennelly, M. (2022). Using ethephon for seedhead suppression of ‘KSUZ 0802’ zoysiagrass. Crop, Forage, & Turfgrass Management, 9(2) e20257. https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.20257  

• Chandra, A., Genovesi, A. D., Fry, J. D., Patton, A. J., Meeks, M., Braun, R. C., Xiang, M., Chhetri, M., & Kennelly, M. (2023). ‘DALZ 1701’, a third‐generation interspecific zoysiagrass hybrid. Journal of Plant Registrations, 17(3): 499-511. https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20319  

• Chhetri, M., Fry, J., Kennelly, M., Bremer, D., Chandra, A., Eads, J. (2022). Water savings and performance of Innovation zoysiagrass in response to irrigation strategy. HortTechnology, 33(2):203-214. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05157-22   

• Braun, R. C., Patton, A. J., Chandra, A., Fry, J., Genovesi, A. D., Meeks, M., Kennelly, M. M., Xiang, M., Chhetri, M., Richardson, M. D., Richmond, D. S., Pudzianowska, M. T., & Baird, J. (2022). Development of winter hardy, fine‐leaf zoysiagrass hybrids for the upper transition zone. Crop Science, 62(6):2486-2505. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20834  

• Goldsby, A., Fry, J., & Chhetri, M. (2022). Evaluation of late‐season nitrogen source application on autumn color and winter injury of ‘Riviera’bermudagrass in the upper transition zone of the United States. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal, 14(1):565-568. https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.116  

• Chhetri, M., Fontanier, C. (2021). Use of Canopeo for estimating green coverage of bermudagrass during post-dormancy regrowth. HortTechnology, 31(6):817-819. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04938-21  

• Chhetri, M., Fontanier, C., Moss, J. Q., Wu, Y. (2021). Effects of combined shade and drought stress on turf-type bermudagrasses. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal, 14(1):194-204. https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.68  

• Chhetri, M., Fontanier, C., Koh, K., Wu, Y., & Moss, J. Q. (2019). Turf performance of seeded and clonal bermudagrasses under varying light environments. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 43, 126355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2019.05.017