Dr. Lok Ranjan Bhatta
Coordinator
Email: lokranjan.bhatta@nast.gov.np
Phone-+ 977 1 5547715 ext 262
Background
Biological Resource Laboratory conducts research on biological resources issues. It provides soil and dendrochronological analysis services. Other major programs of this laboratory are: Biological Diversity and carbon stock; Medicinal and Aromatic Plants; Mushroom Technology Research; endophytic fungi, herbal formulation and natural enemies of Tomato Leaf Miner (Tuta absoluta),biomaterial as well as wild edible fruits.
Current Programs
Biological Diversity and Conservation
This program focuses on the study of biological diversity of Churia and Mahabharat ranges of Nepal. This includes the study of plant diversity and pollinators and pest infestation. For biodiversity conservation and livelihood support sustainable harvesting and Insituconservation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) of Nepal are also carried out.
Team members
Dr. Anjana Giri (anjana.giri@nast.gov.np; anajangiri73@gmail.com )
Dr. Deepa Shree Rawal (deepa.rawal@nast.gov.np; rawalshree@hotmail.com)
Distribution Mapping and Population Dynamics of Natural Enemies of Tomato Leaf Miner (Tuta absoluta) in Nepal
The Tuta absoluta is a major pest problem of tomato with the damage up to 100%.The program focuses on the study of major natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) to manage the Tuta absoluta on tomato crop .The study encompasses the distribution and identification in the field and laboratory. Due to haphazard use of harmful pesticides, the need of biological control like use of predators and parasites is felt to safeguard the environment and human health. Besides the research, the program will also raise awareness among the farmers to minimize the use of harmful pesticides and promote the use of natural enemies in management strategy.
Team members
Mr. Bishwanath Prasad Yadav (bishwanath.yadav@nast.gov.np,bishwayadav@gmail.com)
Dendroecology and dendroclimatology
Rise in temperature due to global warming is affecting forest ecosystems worldwide. This has mostly affected vegetation at higher altitudes where the growth is particularly limited by low temperatures. Impacts of climate change have been visible at the tree line ecotone around the world with many reports of upward shift of treeline species. Study focuses on the impact of climate change on tree line species like Rhododendron sp. etc
Long term climatic data is needed to have an understanding of the past climate. Paucity of long term instrumental climatic data is one of the major constraints for climate change studies in Nepal. Tree rings can be used as proxy sources of past climatic data. Main aim is to assess growth climate relationship and to reconstruct past climate.
Team members
Ms. Prabina Rana (prabina.rana@nast.gov.np, prabinar@hotmail.com)
Mr. Sugam Aryal
Endophytic fungi
In the world, the search for new antibiotics to overcome the growing human problems of drugs resistance in microorganisms is ongoing. Endophytes constitute a remarkably diverse group of micro-organisms ubiquitous in plants and are being recognized as sources for new secondary metabolites with useful biological activities. Realizing the capability of microorganisms, nowadays, research has been geared towards isolating and screening microbes from unique environment niche for the discovery of novel metabolites. In Nepal, to date only limited studies have been carried out to explore the potential of endophtic fungi isolated from plants of high altitude region for the production bioactive secondary metabolites. Our aim is to study diversity of endophytic fungi and their antimicrobial activity
Team member
Ms. Prabina Rana (prabina.rana@nast.gov.np, prabinar@hotmail.com)
Research on Biomaterials:
The program is focused on synthesis and characterization of biomaterials with potential application in biomedical fields using locally available bio-resources.
Team member
Dr. Lok Ranjan Bhatt (lokranjan.bhatta@nast.gov.np, lokranjan2000@yahoo.com)
Research on Wild Edible Fruits:
The goal of the program is identification of potential wild edible fruits for value addition and enterprise development. Ongoing activities include collection, documentation and analysis of antioxidant capacities & nutritional compositions of wild edible fruits from various part of the country.
Team member
Dr. Lok Ranjan Bhatt (lokranjan.bhatta@nast.gov.np, lokranjan2000@yahoo.com)
Mushroom Technology Research and Development
Mushroom is the least explored bioresource of Nepal in compared to plant and animal. Nepal has all the requisites of low cost labour, congenial climatic conditions for year round artificial cultivation of wide variety of mushrooms, and other inputs to become a leading mushroom producer. Even today only a handful of species are grown commercially. Current domestic production is insufficient. Mushroom industry couldn’t have got momentum and is still in state of infancy. Thus,the major goal of this program is to diversify the mushroom portfolio of the country and promote the domestic mushroom production/industry. Exploration and documentation of wild mushrooms, mycochemical/pharmacological screening, value-addition and product diversification, farming technology development of indigenous mycorrhizal mushrooms, domestication of highly prized medicinal or culinary mushrooms, and molecular barcoding of promising indigenous mushrooms are the major activities of this program.
Team member
Dr. Jay Kant Raut (jaykant.raut@nast.gov.np; raut_jk2000@yahoo.com)
Nepal Fungal Database (NFD)
Nepal Fungal Database (NFD) is an open access digital database aims to collect, collate, analyze, verify and authenticate the data/information on fungal science of Nepal. It also aims to build a vibrant and active network among the stakeholders at national, regional and global level. This is of its first kind of fungal internet portal in Nepal that provides information on fungal species recorded within the territory and other state-of-the-art information in the field of mycology. The database is a national asset and managed by Biological Resource Unit (BRU), NAST.
Team member
Dr. Jay Kant Raut (jaykant.raut@nast.gov.np; raut_jk2000@yahoo.com)
Ms. Minu Adhikari (minu.adhikari@nast.gov.np)
Fish food nutrition research and development
Survey of fish breeds and fish nutrition supply at fish super zone areas of Nepal and identification of better local food practices for commercialization.
Team members
Dr. Anjana Giri (anjana.giri@nast.gov.np; anajangiri73@gmail.com)
Instrumentation Facilities
Plant Growth Chamber
Water Distillery
Colony counter