Dr. A.K. Asthana

Sr. Principal Scientist

Research Interests

Bryology Group at CSIR-N.B.R.I works for assessment of Bryophyte diversity in India, their conservation strategy and utilization for human welfare and public awareness about these plants. It actively looks forward to train the postgraduate students, researchers & young scientists for capacity building and Human Resource development in the field of Bryology.

Major areas of work on which group focus are morpho-taxonomic and quantitative data analysis of floristic diversity of Bryophytes in India, monographic and revisionary studies, ex situ conservation and morphogenesis of Liverworts, Mosses and Hornworts. In addition, work on heavy metal accumulation, antimicrobial and other medicinal properties of bryophytes have also been done in collaboration with other research groups of the Institute and promising result have been achieved.

Group is working in the field of Bryology with the following objectives:

– To explore and assess the diversity of Indian Bryophytes and preparation of an account of Bryophyte resources of India.

– Enrichment of CSIR-N.B.R.I., Herbarium, Lucknow (LWG) represented by bryophytes from various Bio-geographical regions of India.

– To explore the economic & medicinal importance of Indian Bryophytes for Human Welfare.

– To standardize the protocol for in vitro propagation and multiplication of RET and potential Bryophytes.

– Introduction, acclimatization and maintenance of living germplasm of significant bryophytes in Moss House at Botanic Garden for educative purpose and general awareness of people.

Dr. A.K. Asthana

Sr. Principal Scientist

Research Summary

Dr. A.K. Asthana

Sr. Principal Scientist

Publications

– Asthana, A.K., V.Sahu and D.Gupta 2019. A new species of genus Cololejeunea (Spruce) Schiffn. (Lejeuneaceae) from India. Journal of Bryology 41(3): 274–284.

– Srivastava P., V. Sahu, A. K. Asthana, 2019. Aulacopilum glaucum Wilson, Entodontopsis nitens (Mitt.) W.R.Buck & Ireland, Solmsiella biseriata (Austin) Steere, In New national and regional bryophyte records 59, Journal of Bryology 41(2):177, 182, 188

– Gupta,R and A.K. Asthana. 2019. New report of Trachyphyllum borgenii (Renauld & Cardot) Broth. (Bryophyta) from India with a Note on Its Disjunct Distribution in Madagascar. National Academy Science Letters 42 (2) pp 151–154.

– Gupta,R and A.K. Asthana. 2019. Gollania ruginosa (Mitt.) Broth. New national and regional bryophyte records 58, Journal of Bryology. P.7

– Asthana, A.K. and A. Srivastava. 2018. A new species of Plaubelia Bridel (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta) from India. Phytotaxa. 374 (4): 297-300.

– Pathak, Isha, Geeta Asthana and A.K. Asthana. 2018. A study on the effect of nutrients on the growth of potentially important liverwort Wiesnerella denudata (Mitt.) Steph. (Marchantiophyta). Phytomorphology 68 (3&4): 87-92.

– Gupta, R. & A.K. Asthana. 2018. Genus Trichostomum Bruch. (Bryophyta) in India with a note on Extended Distribution of Indian Endemic Taxon T. hyalinoblastum (Broth.) Broth. in Eastern Himalaya, India. Phytomorphology 68 (1&2): 39-42.

– Asthana A K., Tewari S. D., Singh V. J., Pathak I., Sahu V. (2018). In Vitro conservation Strategy for endemic and endangered Himalayan liverwort Stephensoniella brevipeduunculata Kashyap (Marchantiophyta). International Journal of Plant and Environment 4 (2): 81-87.

– Gupta, R. & A.K. Asthana. 2018. Studies on species composition and diversity of acrocarpous mosses at Pachmarhi Wid life Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh (India). Indian Forester 144 (6): 588-591.

– Gupta, D. V. Sahu, K. K. Rawat, N. Pande & A.K. Asthana. 2018. The genus Porella (Porellaceae) in Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand, India. Hattoria 9: 11-30.

– Srivastava Ankita, Sahu V. and A.K. Asthana. 2018. An observation on morphogenetic response of Marchantia polymorpha subsp ruderalis Bischl. & Boissel-Dub. In different culture media International Journal of Plant and Environment 4 (1): 64-69.

– Asthana, A.K. , K.K. Rawat, D. Gupta, V. Sahu and P. Katiyar. 2018. New national and regional bryophyte records: Lejeunea pallide-virens S. Hatt, Plagiochila defolians Grolle & M.L. So. Journal of Bryology 40(1): 9, 12-13.

– Asthana A. K., R. Gupta V. J. Singh, V. K. Hile and G. T. Dabhade. 2017. Distribution and conservation status of Anthoceros macrosporus Steph. (Anthocerotophyta) – an endemic and threatened hornwort of India Current Science 113 (10): 1830-1832

– Sahu V., K.K. Rawat, Ankita Srivastava and A.K. Asthana. 2017 In vitro Propagation of Saprophytic Moss Splachnum sphaericum Hedw. International Journal of Plant and Environment 3 (2): 47-50.

– Asthana, A.K., G. Asthana, P. Srivastava and I. Omar. 2017. Three mosses new to South India. Geophytology. 47 (2): 145-153.

– Gupta Reesa, Virendra Nath & A. K. Asthana. 2017. Two Species of Fissidens (Fissidentaceae): New to Indian Bryoflora. National Academy Science Letters. 40 (4): 295–299.

– Gupta Reesa and A.K. Asthana. 2017. Distributional Pattern of Genus Hypnum Hedw. (Bryophyta) in Relation to Habitat and Altitude at Darjeeling hills (Eastern Himalaya) International Journal of Plant and Environment 3 (1): 21-24.

– Neerja Pande, D Gupta, K. K. Rawat, V. Sahu and A. K. Asthana.2017. Rediscovery of Anthelia julacea (L.) Dumort. (Marchantiophyta: Antheliaceae) from India. Indian Journal of Forestry 40 (2) 173-175.

– Ellis L. T..… A. K. Asthana, D, Gupta, V. Sahu and K. K. Rawat. 2017. New national and regional bryophyte records: Acrobolbus ciliatus Mitt., Herbertus dicranus (Taylor ex Gottsche, Lindenb. & Nees) Trevis., Cratoneuron filicinum (Hedw.) Spruc., Delongia glacialis (C.C.Towns.) N.E.Bell, Kariyawasam, Hedd. & Hyvönen Journal of Bryology 39 (3): 285-286, 290-291.

– Ellis L. T..… K. K. Rawat, V. Sahu and A. K. Asthana, 2017. New national and regional bryophyte records: Lophozia ventricosa (Dicks.) Dumort. var. ventricosa. Journal of Bryology 39 (1): 8-9

– Asthana, A.K., and I. Omar. 2016. Archidium acanthophyllum Snider, a new record to moss flora of India Phytotaxonomy 16 (1): 38-41.

– Sahu V. and A. K. Asthana. 2016. Mosses of Govind Wild Life Sanctuary, Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, India. Geophytology 46(2): 147-155.

– Gupta R. and A. K. Asthana. 2016. Diversity and Distribution of liverworts across habitats and altitudinal gradient at Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (India). Plant Science Today 3(4): 354-359.

– Gupta, R., Asthana, A.K. and V.J. Singh. 2016. New national and regional bryophyte records: Brachythecium rivulare Schimp., Oxyrrhynchium hians (Hedw.) Loeske. Journal of Bryology 38 (3): 237.

– Rawat, K.K., A.K. Asthana & V. Sahu. 2016. Gymnomitrion crenatilobum Grolle (Marchantiophyta: Gymnomitriaceae): A rare liverwort, new to India. Cryptogamie Bryologie 37 (3): 291–293.

– Gupta R., Asthana, A. K., V. J. Singh.2016. New national and regional bryophyte records: Brachythecium rivulare Schimp., Oxyrrhynchium hians (Hedw.) Loeske Journal of Bryology 38 (3): 237.

– Rawat, K.K., V. Sahu, P.K. Verma & A.K. Asthana. 2016. Kurzia trichoclados (Lepidoziaceae, Marchantiophyta)—A disjunct liverwort newly reported for India. Phytotaxa 261 (3): 287–290.

– Asthana, A. K. and Vinay Sahu.2016. Lejeunea aquatica Horik.: A New addition to Indian Bryoflora. Natl. Acad. Sci. Lett. DOI 10.1007/s40009-016-0459-8.

– Rawat, K. K., V. Sahu and Asthana A.K. 2016. New national and regional bryophyte records: Splachnum sphaericum Hedw. Journal of Bryology 38 (1): 57.

– Asthana A. K., P. Srivastava, I. Omar.2016. New national and regional bryophyte records: Brotherella harveyana (Mitt.) Dixon, Syntrichia norvegica F.Weber. Journal of Bryology 38 (1): 48, 57.

– Gupta, R., V. Nath, A.K. Asthana and N. Pande. 2015. New national and regional bryophyte records: Hygrohypnum choprae Vohra, Plagiothecium cavifolium (Brid.) Z.Iwats. Journal of Bryology 37 (4): 316, 318.

– Asthana, A.K., Ichha Omar and Priyanshu Srivastava. 2015. Lejeunea minutiloba A. Evans, new to bryoflora of South India with a note on its interesting morphoform. Indian Journal of Forestry 38(3):245-248.

– Sahu, V. and A.K. Asthana. 2015. Diversity in Mosses of Pithoragarh and its Neighbouring Areas, Western Himalaya, India. Indian Forester. 141(11): 1183-1193.

– Sahu V. and A. K. Asthana. 2015. Bryophyte diversity in Terai regions of Uttar Pradesh, India with some new additions to the state. Tropical Plant Research. 2(3): 180–191.

– Rawat K. K., V. Sahu, P. K. Verma and A. K. Asthana. 2015. Horikawaella S. Hatt. & Amakawa (Marchantiophyta: Solenostomataceae) from Sikkim, India. Geophytology. 45(1): 67-70.

– Gupta, Reesa and A. K. Asthana. 2015. Hornwort diversity at Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (Madhya Pradesh), India. Plant Science Today 2(4): 145-150.

– Gupta R., V. Nath and A. K. Asthana. 2015. New national and regional bryophyte records: Bryum porphyroneuron var. erythrinum (Mitt.) and Ptychostomum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) J.R. Spence & H.P. Ramsay M. Fleisch. Journal of Bryology. 37 (1): 70,77.

– Asthana, A.K. and V. Sahu. 2015. Occurrence of a rare and interesting moss Hedwigia ciliata (Hedw.) Ehrh. Ex P. Beauv. var. ciliata Prodr. in Govind Wild Life Sanctuary, Uttarakhand. Phytotaxonomy 14: 155-157.

– Asthana, A.K. and V. Sahu. 2015. Occurrence of Tetralophozia filiformis (Steph.) Urmi in Uttarakhand, India. Geophytology. 45(1): 81-85.

– Asthana, A. K. and V. Sahu.2015. Campylopus schmidii (Mu¨ll. Hal.) A. Jaegr. (Bryophyta) a New Addition to Indian Himalaya. Natl. Acad. Sci. Lett. 38(5): 437–439.

– Asthana, A. K. and V. Sahu. 2015. Archilejeunea minutilobula Udar et U. S. Awasthi (Lejeuneaceae-Marchantiophyta) New to Gangetic plains of India. Plant Science Today. 2(4): 132-134.

– Asthana, A. K. and Ankita Srivastava. 2015. A study on genus Fissidens Hedw. in Meghalaya (North-Eastern Hills),India. Taiwania. 60(3): 137‒142.

– Asthana, A. K. And V. Sahu. 2015. Two new records of Plagiothecium from India. Acta Botanica Hungarica 57(1–2): 1–6 (DOI: 10.1556/abot.57.2015.1–2.1).

– Asthana, A.K. and V. Sahu. 2014. New national and regional bryophyte records: Homalothecium neckeroides (Griff.) Paris; Microcampylopus khasianus (Griffith) Giese & J.-P.Frahm. Journal of Bryology. 36 (4): 311-313.

– Vinay Sahu and A. K. Asthana. 2014. Two Mosses new to West Himalayan Bryoflora. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. DOI 10.1007/s40011-013-0290-7. (3): 805-810

– R. Gupta, V. Nath and A.K. Asthana. 2014. New national and regional bryophyte records: Lejeunea wightii Lindenb. In Gott., Lindenb. & Nees, Phaeoceros udarii Asthana & Nath. Journal of Bryology. 36 (2): 141, 143.

– Asthana, A.K. and V. Sahu. 2014. New national and regional bryophyte records: Leptopterigynandrum decolour (Mitt.) M. Fleisch. Journal of Bryology. 36 (2): 141.

– Sahu, V. and A.K. Asthana. 2014. Diversity of liverworts and hornworts in Pithoragarh and its neighbouring areas, western Himalaya of India. Indian Forester. 40 (4): 389-394.

– Asthana, A.K. and Shikha Gupta. 2014. Two mosses (Bryophyta) new to western Himalaya. Indian Journal of Forestry. 37 (2): 189-192.

– Asthana, A.K. and A. Srivastava. 2014. In New national and regional records: Fissidens pellucidus Hornsch; Neckeropsis andamana (Mull. Hal.) M. Fleisch. Journal of Bryology 36 (3): 228, 231.

– Sahu, V. and A.K. Asthana. 2014. Two moss species new to Govind Wild Life sanctuary in Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand, India. Geophytology. 44 (2): 149-154.