Career summary

A professional researcher with more than 14 years of international experience in different aspects of plant science. I am a conservation scientist with wide ranging interests in biodiversity conservation. My research largely focuses on the study of desert plants adaptation & propagation, seed biology, seed development, dormancy, germination and seedling growth & establishment. Recently, I have successfully completed a project that assessed the potential of using Arabian native desert plants and optimize the water requirement for their growth performance and survival in order to check their potential to be used in urban landscapes. As a team leader, I have completed a mangrove rehabilitation project in Qatar. In addition, I was involved in identifying the suitable species and producing the native plants in nursery for various clients according to their requirements (government, commercial and private).

Academic employments

January 2020 – till date: Principal Investigator (Research group: plant germplasm collection evaluation and genetic improvement),Lushan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Science, China.

December 2016 – October 2019: Consultant, Native Desert Plants, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait with major responsibilities to development of techniques for mass production of seeds and native desert plants. 

December 2015 – November 2016: Native Plant Researcher, Nakheel Landscapes, Doha, Qatar with major responsibilities (i) to oversee the day to day management, staffing, organization and smooth running of the Nursery (ii) To be a member of the management team and to contribute to the strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation and development of the Nursery (iii) Identify and promote native plants in landscaping

January 2013 – November 2015: Post Doc Research Fellow, Gulf Organization for Research & Development (GOR&D), Doha, Qatar, with major responsibilities to use innovative approaches to reduce the demand for fresh water resources in urban landscapes in Qatar and other GCC countries using native species

March 2012 – December 2012: Post Doc Research Fellow, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, with major responsibilities (i) how the heat stress  affect the seed germination of  selected tree species of South Africa (ii) eco-physiological study of selected species of South Africa (iii) supervise Master and Ph.D student

January 2009 – January 2012: Post Doc Research Fellow, Universiti Sains Malaysia, with major responsibilities (i) scale up production of bioactive compounds from various medicinal plants using cell suspension culture technique (ii) Supervise Master and Ph.D student

September 2008 – December 2008: Consultant, in Agriculture Finance Co-operation, New Delhi, with major responsibility of monitoring and evaluation of projects funded by National medicinal Plant Board, New Delhi

March 2007 – August 2008: Post Doc Research Fellow, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa for the research topics (1) Investigation of changes in selected desiccation tolerant plants and (2) Investigation of foliar trichomes of selected medical plants of South Africa         

April 2006 – February 2007: Project Manager, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, India in the project “Operational Strategy for Sustainable Forestry Development with Community Participation in India” with major responsibilities of (i) Preparation of research design, (ii) Field implementation, (iii) Assure involvement of local community in sustainable forest management and (iv) Provide technical assistance to the project team and implementation of project activities

April 2004 – March 2006: Senior Research Fellow, GB Pant Institute for Himalayan Research & Development Kosi - Katarmal, Alomra, India in NMPB sponsored project entitled “Assessment of existing stock and scaling up productivity of high value medicinal plants through biological and Biotechnological tools”. The major responsibility were (i) Quantification of existing stock and level of disturbance of selected Himalayan medicinal plants (ii) Development of propagation protocols and cultivation packages for rural inhabitants (iii)Promote biodiversity conservation education through people’s participation and (iv) Prepare technical documents

February 2002 – March 2004: Junior Research Fellow, GB Pant Institute for Himalayan Research & Development Kosi – Katarmal, Alomra, India in NMPB sponsored project entitled “Assessment of existing stock and scaling up productivity of high value medicinal plants through biological & Biotechnological tools”. My responsibility were (i) Quantification of existing stock and level of disturbance of selected Himalayan medicinal plants (ii) Development of propagation protocols and cultivation packages for rural inhabitants (iii)Promote biodiversity conservation education through people’s participation and (iv) Prepare technical documents

March 2001 – January 2002: Junior Research Fellow, GBPant Institute for Himalayan Research & Development Kosi – Katarmal, Alomra, India in DBT Sponsored project entitled “Evaluation and propagation of selected endemic medicinal plants of the Himalaya”, with major responsibilities (i) Quantification of existing stock and level of disturbance of selected Himalayan medicinal plants, (ii) Development of propagation protocols and cultivation packages for rural inhabitants, (iii) Promoting biodiversity conservation education through people’s participation and  (iv) Prepare technical documents

Educational Qualification

Ph.D. 2006: in Plant Physiology on the topic of “Viability and variability in genus Swertia with particular reference to Swertia chirayita and Swertia angustifolia in Garhwal and Kumaon Himalaya”.

M.Sc. 2000: Forestry- Ecology. First Class, H. N. B. Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarkhand, India.

B.Sc. 1998: Biological Sciences. First Class, H. N. B. Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarkhand, India.

Teaching/ demonstration experience

Plant Biotechnology and Plant Physiology (2009 – 2011, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia)- 3 Year

Plant trichomes and their importance (2012, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa)- 1 Year

Angiosperm Diversification and Evolution and Population Ecology (2007-2008, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa)- 2 Year

Reviewer of the Journals

Flora, Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal of Arid Environment, Current Science, Plant and Soil, Plant Biosystems, Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, South African Journal of Botany, Ecological Indicator and Plant growth regulation.

Research collaborators

1. Prof. Kris Verheyen, Forest & Nature Lab, Ghent University, Belgium

2. Prof. Chan Lai Keng, School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

3. Dr. Syd Ramdhani, School of Life Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

4. Dr. Andrea Santo, Centro Conservazione Biodiversità, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Italy

5. Prof. Y. Naidoo, School of Life Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

6. Dr. María Mercedes Carón, Laboratorio de Investigaciones Botánicas (LABIBO), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Salta-CONICET, Salta, Argentina

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS (International Peer Reviewed Papers)

1. Bhatt A, Gairola S, Carón MM, Santo A, Murru V, El-Keblawy A and Mahmoud T (2019). Effect of light, temperature, salinity and maternal habitat on seed germination of Aeluropus lagopoides (Poaceae): an economically important halophyte of arid Arabian deserts. Botany DOI: 10.1139/cjb-2019-0096.

2. Bhatt A, Bhat NR, Lozano-Isla F, Gallacher D. Santo A, Silva W, Fernandes D and Pompelli MF (2019). Germination asynchrony is increased by dual seed bank presence in two desert perennial halophytes. Botany DOI: 97. 10.1139/cjb-2019-0071.

3. Bhatt A, Bhat NR, Al-NasserA, Caron MMand Santo A. (2019). Inter-population variabilities in seed mass and germination of Panicum turgidum and Pennisetum divisum on the desert of Kuwait. Journal of Arid LandDOI: 10.1007/s40333-019-0017-6.

4. Chauhan H, Bisht AK, Bhatt ID, Bhatt A and Gallacher D (2019). Trillium -toward sustainable utilization of a biologically distinct genus valued for traditional medicine. The Botanical ReviewDOI: 10.1007/s12229-019-09211-0.

5. Bhatt A, Caron MM, Gallacher D and Bhat NR(2019). Germination response of Arabian desert species to gibberellic acid and potassium nitrate seed treatment. Plant Biosystems DOI: 10.1080/11263504.2019.1686079.

6. Bhatt A, Bhat NR and Thomas MT (2019). Germination behavior of Seidlitzia rosmarinus Boiss., a perennial halophyte of Arabian deserts. Agriculture and Natural Resources 53: 348-354.

7. Chauhan H, Bisht AK, Bhatt ID and Bhatt A (2019). Protocol for vegetative propagation of Trillium govanianum Wall ex D. Don. Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants DOI:  100233. 10.1016/j.jarmap.2019.100233.

8. Bhatt A, Bhat NR, Santo A and Phartyal SS (2019). Influence of temperature, light and salt on the germination of Deverra triradiata. Seed Science and Technology DOI: 10.1139/cjb-2018-0167.

9. Bhatt A, Bhat NR, Caron MM and Gallacher D (2019). Dimorphic fruit colour is associated with differences in germination of Calligonum comosum. Botany DOI: 10.1139/cjb-2018-0167.

10. Bhatt A, Bhat NR, Murru V and Santo A (2019). Eco-physiological studies on desert plants: germination of Halothamnus iraqensis Botsch. seeds under different conditions. Journal of Arid Land DOI: 10.1007/s40333-019-0121-7.

11. Phondani PC, Bhatt ID, Maikhuri RK, Kothyari BP, Bhatt A, Purohit VK and Joshi P (2018). Exploring floriculture potential for sustainable livelihood of subsistence communities in Indian Himalaya. National Academy Science Letters, 1-6.

12. Bhatt A and Santo A (2018). Different ecological strategies during the seed germination phase of nine grasses inhabiting the hyper-arid Arabian desert. Plant Species Biology DOI:  10.1111/1442-1984.12220

13. Bhatt A and Pérez-García F (2018). Germination patterns of dimorphic Achenes in Launaea nudicaulis (Asteraceae) growing in desert environments. National Academy Science Letters 41: 177-180.

14. Bhatt A, Bhat NR, Suleiman MK and Santo A (2018). Effects of storage, mucilage presence, photoperiod, thermoperiod and salinity on germination of Farsetia aegyptia Turra (Brassicaceae) seeds: implications for restoration and seed banks in Arabian Desert. Plant Biosystems DOI: 10.1080/11263504.2018.1473524.

15.Chauhan H, Bisht AK, Bhatt ID, Bhatt A, Gallacher D and Santo A (2018). Population change of Trillium govanianum (Melanthiaceae) amid altered indigenous harvesting practices in the Indian Himalayas. Journal of ethnopharmacology 213: 302-310.

16. Bhatt A, Phondani PC and Pompelli MF (2018). Seed maturation time influences the germination requirements of perennial grasses in desert climate of Arabian Gulf. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. 25: 1562-1567.

17. Bhatt A and Santo A (2017). Effects of photoperiod, thermoperiod, and salt stress on Gymnocarpos decandrus seeds: potential implications in restoration ecology activities. Botany 95: 1093-1098.

18. Phondani PC, Maikhuri RK, Rawat LS, Jugran A, Bhatt A and Bisht NS (2017). Policy implications of utilizing indigenous tree species as agroforestry systems in Himalayan states of India: Case study of Uttarakhand. Energy Policy 110: 202–209.

19. Bhatt A and Santo A (2017). Does perianth colour affect the seed germination of two desert shrubs under different storage periods and conditions?. Nordic Journal of  Botany. doi:10.1111/njb.01593.

20. El-Keblawy A, Gairola S, Bhatt A and Mahmoud T (2017). Effects of maternal salinity on salt tolerance during germination of Suaeda aegyptiaca, a facultative halophyte in the Arab Gulf desert. Plant Species Biology 32: 45-53.

21. Bhatt A, Phartyal SS, Phondani PC, and Gallacher D (2017). Perianth colour dimorphism is related to germination properties and salinity tolerance in Salsola vermiculata in the Arabian deserts. Nordic Journal of  Botany 35: 609-617.

22. Bhatt A, Phartyal SS and Nicholas A (2017). Ecological role of distinct fruit-wing perianth color in synchronization of seed germination in Haloxylon salicornicum. Plant Species Biology 32: 121-133.

23. Bhatt A, Phondani PC, Phartyal SS, Santo A and Gallacher D (2016). Influence of aerial seed banks on germination response in three desert plant species. Journal of  Plant Ecology 10: 994-1000.

24. El-Keblawy A, Gairola S and Bhatt A (2016). Maternal salinity environment affects salt tolerance during germination in Anabasis setifera: A facultative desert  halophyte. Journal of Arid Land 8: 254-263.

25. Bhatt A and Santo A (2016). Germination and recovery of heteromorphic seeds of Atriplex canescens (Amaranthaceae) under increasing salinity. Plant ecology 217: 1069-1079.

26. Phondani PC, Bhatt A, Elsarrag E, Horr YA and El-Keblawy A (2016). Criteria and indicator approach of global sustainability assessment system for sustainable landscaping using native plants in Qatar. Ecological Indicators 69: 381-389.

27. Bhatt A, Pérez-García F, Mercedes Carón M and Gallacher D (2016). Germination response of Salsola schweinfurthii (Chenopodiaceae) to salinity and winged perianth removal. Seed Science & Technology 44: 428-434.

28. Bhatt A, Gairola S and El-Keblawy A (2016). Seed colour affects light and temperature requirements during germination in two Lotus species (Fabaceae) of the Arabian subtropical deserts. Revista de Biología Tropical 64: 483-492.

29. Bhatt A, Caron, MM, Verheyen K, Elsarrag E and Alhorr Y (2016). Germination and seedling performance of five native legumes of the Arabian Desert. Flora 220: 125-133.

30. El-Keblawy A., Gairola S and Bhatt A (2016). Maternal habitat affects germination requirements of Anabasis setifera, a succulent shrub of the Arabian deserts. Acta Botanica Brasilica 30: 35-40.

31. Bhatt A and Pérez-García F (2016). Seed dormancy of Ochradenus baccatus (Resedaceae), a shrubby species from Arabian Desert regions. Revista de Biología Tropical 64: 965-974. 

32. Bhatt A, Santo A and Gallacher D (2016). Seed mucilage effect on water uptake and germination in five species from the hyper-arid Arabian desert. Journal of Arid Environments 128: 73-79.

33. Bhatt A, Pérez-García F and Phondani PC (2016). Foliage colour influence on seed germination of Bienertia cycloptera in Arabian deserts. Nordic Journal of Botany 34: 428-434.

34. Phondani PC, Bhatt A, Elsarrag E and Horr YA (2016). Ethnobotanical magnitude towards sustainable utilization of wild foliage in Arabian Desert. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine 6: 209-218.

35. Phondani PC, Bhatt ID, Negi VS, Kothyari BP, Bhatt A and Maikhuri RK (2015).Promoting medicinal plant cultivation for livelihood enhancement and biodiversity conservation in the Indian Himalayan region. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity 9: 39-46.

36. Kalicharan B, Naidoo Y, Heneidak S and Bhatt A (2015). Distribution, morphological and histochemical characteristics of foliar trichomes of Plectranthus zuluensis (Lamiaceae). Brazilian  Journal of Botany 38: 961-971

37. El-Keblawy A, Bhatt A and Gairola S (2015). Storage on maternal plants affects light and temperature requirements during germination in two small seeded halophytes in the Arabian deserts. Pakistan Journal of Botany 47: 1701- 1708.

38. Phondani PC, Bhatt A, Elsarrag E and Horr YA (2015). Seed germination and growth performance of Aerva javanica (Burm. f.) Juss ex Schult. Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 2: 195-199.

39. El-Keblawy A, Bhatt A and Gairola S (2015). Developing sea-watered landscapes: a potential way to reduce stress on freshwater resources. Current Science 108: 1773-1774.

40. El-Keblawy A and Bhatt A (2015). Aerial seed bank affects germination in two small-seeded halophytes in Arab Gulf desert. Journal of Arid Environments 117: 10-17.

41. Bisht AK, Bhatt A and Dhar U (2015). Note on somatic embryogenesis and synthetic seed production in Angelica glauca: A valuable medicinal plant of Himalaya.Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 9:  419-425.

42. Bhatt A, Gairola S Govender Y, Baijnath H and Ramdhani S (2015). Epiphyte diversity on host trees in an urban environment, eThekwini Municipal Area, South Africa. New Zealand Journal of Botany 53: 24-37.

43. Gairola S, Bhatt A and El-Keblawy A (2015). A perspective on potential use of halophytes for reclamation of salt-affected lands. Wulfenia Journal 22: 88-97.

44. Ramlall C, Varghese B, Ramdhani S, Pammenter NW, Bhatt A, Berjak P and Naidoo S (2015). Effects of simulated acid rain on germination, seedling growth and oxidative metabolism of recalcitrant-seeded Trichilia dregeana grown in its natural seed bank. PhysiologiaPlantarum153: 149-160.

45. Naidoo Y, Heneidak S, Bhatt A, Kasim N and Naidoo G (2014).  Morphology, histochemistry and ultrastructure of foliar mucilage-producing trichomes of Harpagophytum procumbens (Pedaliaceae). Turkish Journal of  Botany 38: 60-67.

46. Jelodar NB, Bhatt A, Mohamed K and Chan LK (2014). New cultivation approaches of Artemisia annua L. for a sustainable production of the antimalarial drug artemisinin. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 8: 441-447.

47. Gairola S, Rawal  RS, Todaria NP and Bhatt A (2014). Population structure and regeneration patterns of tree species in climate-sensitive subalpine forests of Indian western Himalaya. Journal of Forestry Research 25: 343- 349.

48. Koay SS, Bhatt A, Shuping N and Chan LK (2014): Medium optimization for cell biomass yield and anthocyanin production in cell suspension culture of Melastoma malabathricum. Plant Biosystems 148: 675-682.

49. Kusumastuti MY, Bhatt A, Indrayanto G and Chan LK (2014). Effect of sucrose, benzylaminopurine and culture condition on in vitro propagation of curcuma xanthorrhiza roxb. And Zingiber aromaticum val.
Pakistan Journal of Botany 46: 279-288.

50. El-KeblawyA,Bhatt A and Gairola S (2013). Perienth colour affects germination behavior in the wind pollinated Salsola rubescens in the Arabian Deserts. Botany 92: 69-75.

51. Gairola S, Mahmoud T, Bhatt A and El-Keblawy A (2013).Importance of seed banking and herbarium collections in biodiversity conservation and research: a new initiative in the United Arab Emirates. Current Science 105: 1048-1050.

52. Gairola S, Bhatt A, Govender Y, Baijnath H, Proche? ? and S Ramdhani (2013).Incidence and intensity of tree infestation by the mistletoe Erianthemum dregei (Eckl. &Zeyh.) V. Tieghem in Durban, South Africa. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 12: 315-322.

53. Lo KY, Ch’ng SJ, Suganthi A, Nornadia K, Bhatt A and Chan LK (2013). Effect of Basal Medium on In Vitro Leaf Morphology, Growth and Artemisinin Production of Artemisia annua. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 3: 36-50.

54. Bhatt A, Christine S and Chan LK (2013). In vitro propagation of five Alocasias pecies. Horticultura Brasileira 31: 210-215.

55. Au Vun Hui, Bhatt A and Chan LK (2013). Establishment of a shoot proliferation protocol for banana (abb group) cv. ‘pisangawak’ via temporary immersion system. Journal of Plant Nutrition 36: 529- 538.

56. Hasmah SN, Bhatt A and Chan LK (2013). Micropropagation of Asam Karanda (Carissa carandas Linn). Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agriculture Science 36: 89- 98.

57. Appalasamy S, Ping NS, Bhatt A, Othman AS, Jeloder NB and Chan LK (2012). Optimization of total RNA isolation method from the aromatic medicinal plant Artemisia annua L. International Journal of Plant Biology 3:e7: 34-37.

58. Bordbar L, Bhatt A, Subramaniam S and Chan LK (2012). Necessity of medium nutrient modification for production of cell biomass yield and rosmarinic acid in the cell suspension cultures of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. International Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 2: 638-647.

59. Chong YH, Khalafalla MM, Bhatt A and Chan LK (2012). The Effects of Culture Systems and Explant Incision on In vitro Propagation of Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe.  Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agriculture Science 35: 863-874.

60. Kah Hong ML, Bhatt A, Ping NS and Chan LK (2012).Detection of elicitation effect on Hyoscyamus niger L. root cultures for the root growth and production of tropane alkaloids. Romanian Biotechnological Letters17: 7340-7351.

61. Bhatt A, Ong BK and Chan LK (2012). Sucrose, benzylaminopurine and photoperiod effects on in vitro culture of Kaempferia galanga Linn. Plant Biosystems146: 900-905.

62. Andola HC, Gairola, S and Bhatt A (2012). Popularization of Himalayan Berberis species as a source of nutraceuticals. Current Science 102: 1622.

63. Christine S, Bhatt A, Sulaiman B and Chan LK (2012). Micropropagation of Homalomena pineodora Sulaiman & Boyce (Araceae): a new species from Malaysia. Horticultura Brasileira 30: 39-43.

64. Au Vun Hui, Bhatt A and Chan L K (2012). Micropropagation of Musa acuminate x M. balbisiana cv. PisangAwak (ABB Genome) and three other cultivars. Pakistan Journal of Botany 44: 777-780.

65. Christine S, Dafaalla Mhd Hag Ali, Chan LK, Boey PL and Bhatt A (2011). Comparative evaluation of antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of selected lichen species from Malaysia. Journal of Pharmacy Research 4: 2824-2827.

66. Abraham F, Bhatt A, Chan LK, Indrayanto G and Sulaiman S. F (2011). Effect of yeast extract and chitosan on shoot proliferation, morphology and antioxidation activity of Curcuma mangga in vitro plantlets. African Journal of Biotechnology 10: 7787-7795.

67. Christine S, Bhatt A, Hag MDA, Chan LK, and Boey PL (2011). Evaluation of free radical scavenging activity and total phenolic content in the petiole-derived callus cultures of Zingiber zerumbet Smith. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research 5: 2210-2217.

68. Koay SS, Bhatt A and Chan LK (2011). Effect of sucrose and methyl jasmonate on biomass and anthocyanin production in cell suspension culture of Melastoma malabathricum (Melastomaceae).Revista de Biología Tropical 59: 597-606.

69. Christine S, Bhatt A and Chan LK (2011). An efficient in vitro plantlet regeneration of Cryptocoryne wendtii and Cryptocoryne becketti. Acta Physiologia Plantarum 33: 619-624

70. Bhatt A, Naidoo Y and Nicholas A (2010). The foliar trichomes of Hypoestes aristata (Vahl) Sol. ex Roem. & Schult (Acanthaceae) a widespread medicinal plant species in tropical sub-Saharan Africa: with comments on their possible phylogenetic significance. Biological Research 43: 403-409.

71. Hong MLK, Bhatt A, Ning S and Chan LK (2010). Optimization of root proliferation medium for Hyoscyamus niger L. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research 4: 2710-2718.

72. Bhatt A, Naidoo Y and Nicholash A (2010). The foliar trichomes of Orthosiphon labiatus N. E. Br. [Lamiaceae]. New Zealand Journal of Botany 48: 153-161.

73. Lo KY, Ku N, Ch’ng SJ, Nur I, Bhatt A, Ning S and Chan LK (2010). Effect of perforations of culture vessel cap on growth and leaf microstructure of in vitro plantlets of Artemisia annua L. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research 4: 2273-2282.

74. Gairola S, Shariff NM, Bhatt A and Kala CP (2010). Influence of climate change on production of secondary chemicals in high altitude medicinal plants:  issues needs immediate attention. Journal of  Medicinal Plants Research 4: 1825-1829.

75. Chan LK, Ang SW and Bhatt A (2010). Elicitation effect on cell biomass and production of alkaloids in cell suspension culture of Eurycoma longifolia Jack. Cuadernos de Investigación UNED 2: 123-128.

76. Christine S, Bhatt A and Chan LK (2010). A comparative study of plantlet production of Curcuma zedoaria and Zingiber zerumbet using different micropropagation systems. African Journal of Biotechnology 9: 4326-4333.

77. Chan LK, Koay SS, Boey PL and Bhatt A (2010). Enhancement of cell biomass yield and anthocyanin production in cell culture of Melastoma malabathricum L. via abiotic stress. Biological  Research 43: 127-135.

78. Bhatt A, Naidoo Y and Nicholash A (2010). The foliar trichomes of Plectranthus laxiflorus Benth (Lamiaceae): an important medicinal plant.  New Zealand Journal of Botany 48: 55-61.

79. Rawat B, Gairola, S and Bhatt A (2010). Habitat characteristics and ecological status of Paeonia emodi Wallich ex Royle: a high value medicinal plant of west Himalaya. Medicinal Plants - International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries 2: 121-125.

80. Chan LK, Nhawal, AS, Bhatt A (2009). Somatic embryogenesis and root regeneration in Hyoscyamus niger for the production of hyoscyamine. African Journal of Biotechnology 8: 6952-6960.

81. Bhatt A, Naidoo Y, Gairola S and Nicholash A (2009). Ultrastructural responses of the desiccation tolerant plants Xerophyta viscosa and X. retinervis during dehydration and rehydration. Biologia Plantarum 53: 373-377.

82. Bhatt A, Bhatt ID, Gaira K, Tripathi K and Dhar U (2009). Effect of pre-sowing treatment on the germination of Pleurospermum angelicoides (DC.) Cl.  Seed Technology 31: 89-95.

83. Gairola S, Naidoo Y, Bhatt A and Nicholash A (2009). An investigation of the foliar trichomes of Tetradenia riparia (Hochst.) Codd [Lamiaceae]: an important medicinal plant of southern Africa. Flora 214: 325-330.

84. Airi S, Bhatt ID, Bhatt A, Rawal RS and Dhar U (2009). Variations in seed germination of Hippophae salicifolia with different pre-soaking treatments. Journal of Forestry Research 20: 27?30.

85. Bisht AK, Bhatt A, Rawal RS and Dhar U. (2008).Assessment of reproductive potential of different populations of Angelica glauca Edgew., a critically endangered Himalayan medicinal herb. Journal of Mountain Science 5: 84-90.

86. Bhatt ID, Bhatt A, Parsad K, Gairola S, Rawal RS and Dhar U (2008). Preliminary Investigation on nutritional properties of Artemesia maritime Linn. Ethnobotanical Leaflet 12: 614- 619.

87. Naidoo Y, Steinke TD, Mann FD, Bhatt A and Gairola S (2008). Epiphytic organisms on the pneumatophores of the mangrove Avicennia marina: occurrence and possible function. African Journal of Plant Science 2: 012-015. 

88. Bhatt A, Rawal RS  and Dhar U (2007).Effect of seedpre- treatments on germination of Swertia chirayita- a rare medicinal plant. Seed Research 35: 66-69.

89. Bhatt A, Bisht AK and Dhar U (2007).Assessment of status and biomass of Swertia angustifolia: a high value Himalayan medicinal plant. African Journal of Plant Sciences 1: 1-6.

90. Airi S, Bhatt A and Dhar U (2006). Characterization of Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex  Fleming) Karesten and S. angustifolia  Ham ex. D. Don through SDS-PAGE. Plant Genetic Resource Newsletter147: 72-77.

91. Bisht AK, Bhatt A and Dhar U (2006). Assessment, extraction pattern and restoration through propagation of Angelica glauca, a critically endangered Himalayan medicinal herb. The International Journal of Biodiversity Science and Management 2: 105-113.

92. Bhatt A, Rawal RS and Dhar U (2006). Ecological features of a critically rare medicinal plant, Swertia chirayita, in Himalaya. Plant Species Biology 21: 49-52. 

93. Bisht AK, Bhatt A and Dhar U (2006). Prioritization and conservation of Himalayan medicinal plants: Angelica glauca as a case study. Ethnobotanical Research and Application4: 011-023.

94. Bhatt A, Rawal RS and Dhar U (2005). Germination improvement in Swertia angustifolia: a high value medicinal plant of Himalaya.Current Science 89:1008-1012. 

95. Bhatt A, Joshi SK and Gairola S (2005). Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo- a West Himalayan orchid in peril. Current Science 89:610-612. 

96. Bhatt A, Sharma CM and Khanduri VP (2002). Growing stock variations in different Cedrus deodara forests of Garhwal Himalaya. Indian Forester 218: 903-916.

97. Dhar U, Manjkhola S, Joshi M, Bhatt A, Bisht AK and Joshi M (2002). Current status and future strategy for development of medicinal plants sector in Uttaranchal, India. Current Science83: 956- 964.

Paper/ abstract published in conference

1. Bhatt A, Bhat NR, Sulaiman MK, Thomas TM and MathewS (2017). Understanding the seed germination and adaptation strategy of selected Arabian desert plant and its implications for vegetation restoration (Proceedings of an International Symposium and Workshop on Native Seeds in Restoration of Dryland Ecosystems (November 20 – 23, 2017), Kuwait.

2. Al-Saeed O, Al-Roomi A, Bhat NR and Bhatt A. (2017). Effect of Storage on Germination of Kuwait's Native Seeds ((Proceedings of an International Symposium and Workshop on Native Seeds in Restoration of Dryland Ecosystems (November 20 – 23, 2017), Kuwait.

3. Richer R, Bhatt A, Abdul Majid S, Skelhorn C, Al Marri M, Al Wawi H andChatziefthimiou A (2016). Native plant landscaping and species selection to promote sustainability and biodiversity in Qatar. Q-Science Proceedings: Vol. 2016, Qatar Green Building Conference 2016 – The Action, 41. http://dx.doi.org/10.5339/qproc.2016.qgbc.41.

4. Abdul Majid S,Richer R, Bhatt A, Amato A and Chatziefthimiou A (2016).Guidelines for terrestrial ecological surveys in Qatar. QScience Proceedings: Vol. 2016, Qatar Green Building Conference 2016 – The Action, 43. http://dx.doi.org/10.5339/qproc.2016.qgbc.43.

5. Bhatt AandEl-Keblawy A (2013). Propagation of potential native plants for urban landscape in Gulf countries.Qatar foundation Annual Research Forum Proceeding: EEP 06. DOI: 10.5339/qfarf.2013.EEP-06.

6. Bhatt A and Keng CL (2010) Trichome investigation from Artemisia annua: an important antimalarial plant. 7th IMT-GT UNINET and the 3rd Joint International PSU-UNS Conferences “BioScience for the Future 2010”, at Prince of Songkla University, Thailand (7-8 October, 2010).

7. Bhatt A,Naidoo Y, Hiralal T and Nicholas A (2008). An investigation of desiccation tolerance mechanism in the resurrection plant Xerophyta viscose. Microscopy Society of Southern Africa, Botswana (23-25 July, 2008).

8. Naidoo Y, Bhatt A and Gairola S (2007). An investigation of desiccation tolerance mechanism in a medicinally important resurrection plant Xerophytaretinervis (Baker). Medicinal plant summit, Thailand (23-25 November, 2007).

9. Omprakash MD, Kandari LS, Gairola S and BhattA (2006). Developing indicators for measuring sustainability at Forest Management Unit level: need of collaborative research approach. Paper presented in International seminar on Forests, Forest products and Services: research, development and challenges ahead. Department of Forestry, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, India (1-3 November 2006).

Chapter in book

Bhatt A and Bisht AK (2011). Morphological markers for characterization of two important endangered Himalayan medicinal plants: Swertiachirayita and S. angustifolia(pp-161-166). In: Medicinal plants and sustainable developments (ed: Kala CP). Nova Publishers, New York.

Book Published

Kotwal PC, Dugaya D and  Bhatt A (2007). Fostering Sustainable Forest Management in India through Criteia and Indicators.Country Report. ISBN: 81-7969-052-0. pp. 124.

Airi S, Mahar G, Gaira KS and Bhatt A. (2005).Himalaya Ki JaibVividhata (Sangrakshanshikshaprotsahan me rastriyaharit core kiBhagidhari (in Hindi).Kansal Printers, Nainital.pp. 48.

Dhar U, Rawal RS, Manjkhola S, Bisht AK, Joshi M, Joshi M., Bhatt A and Bisht G. (2002). Conservation, Propagation and utilization of High Value Medicinal Plants of Himalaya. Shiva Offset Press, Dehradun. pp. 48.