Poudyal Lab Research Projects

Plant Biotechnology, Sustainable Agriculture, Soil Health, and Environmental Research

Poudyal Lab, under ASDRP, provides high school students with opportunities to conduct hands-on research/project-based learning (PBL) in plant biotechnology, plant tissue culture, sustainable agriculture, soil microbiology, hydroponics, carbon sequestration, phytoremediation, and greenhouse production systems. Students develop research skills through experimental design, data collection, statistical analysis, scientific writing, conference presentations, and publication opportunities.

I. IN-VITRO RESEARCH PROJECTS

(Plant Tissue Culture, Micropropagation, Organogenesis, Synthetic Seeds, and Biotechnology)

Project 1. Explant Collection, Sterilization, and Shoot Proliferation for Plant Tissue Culture

Development of efficient protocols for explant collection, sterilization, shoot proliferation, and micropropagation of selected plant species using Murashige and Skoog (MS) media and plant growth regulators.

Project 2. Designing a Comprehensive De Novo Indirect Organogenesis Protocol for Selected Crops

Development of an efficient adventitious shoot regeneration protocol for selected crops using in vitro and field-derived explants for future applications in genetic transformation and crop improvement.

Project 3. Synthetic Seed Production for Sustainable Crop Improvement

Optimization of artificial seed production techniques through encapsulation technology to improve storage, transportation, germplasm conservation, and rapid propagation of elite plant materials.

Project 4. Effect of Natural Plant Extracts on In-Vitro Growth and Development

Evaluation of naturally derived plant extracts as alternatives to synthetic plant growth regulators in tissue culture systems.

Project 5. Biochar and Vermicompost Extracts as Plant Growth Regulator Substitutes

Investigation of biochar and vermicompost extracts as sustainable alternatives to commercial plant growth regulators during in vitro culture.

Project 6. Potato Tuberlets and Pre-basic Seed Production through Tissue Culture

Production of disease-free potato planting materials through micropropagation and mini-tuber production systems.

II. EX-SITU RESEARCH PROJECTS

(Raised Bed, Soil Health, Crop Production, and Sustainable Agriculture)

Project 7. Improving Crop Growth Using Integrated Microbial and Hormonal Approaches

Evaluation of AMF, Rhizobium, and plant hormones on growth, nodulation, biomass production, and yield.

Project 8. Carbon Sequestration through AMF Inoculation in Selected Crops

Assessment of the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in improving soil carbon storage and plant biomass production.

Project 9. Dandelion Latex Production Enhanced by AMF Inoculation

Study of biomass production and latex yield of dandelion under AMF treatment in raised bed systems.

Project 10. Root-Zone Oxygen and Plant Growth in Raised Beds

Investigation of how oxygen availability influences root development, nutrient uptake, and crop productivity.

Project 11. Effect of Organic Versus Synthetic Fertilizers on Crop Growth and Yield

Comparison of plant performance under organic and synthetic nutrient management systems.

Project 12. Companion Planting for Pest Management

Evaluation of companion planting strategies for reducing pest populations and improving crop health.

Project 13. Vermiculture and Sustainable Soil Improvement

Utilization of earthworms for compost production and soil fertility enhancement.

Project 14. Repurposing Kitchen Waste for High-Quality Compost Production

Conversion of food scraps into nutrient-rich compost for sustainable agriculture applications.

Project 15. Role of Oxygen in Crop Production

Investigation of oxygen availability in the root zone and its effects on plant growth and productivity.

III. GREENHOUSE RESEARCH PROJECTS

(Hydroponics, Environmental Research, Biofuel Production, and Phytoremediation)

Project 16. Hydroponic Crop Production Systems

Evaluation of crop growth and nutrient management under hydroponic conditions.

Project 17. Utilization of Semi-Permeable Cyanobacteria Beads for Biofuel Production

Investigation of symbiotic interactions among cyanobacteria species to enhance Arthrospore platensis biomass production for sustainable biofuel applications.

Project 18. Phytoremediation of Polyethylene Microplastic-Contaminated Water Using Water Lettuce

Assessment of the ability of Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) to remove contaminants and improve water quality under greenhouse conditions.

Project 19. Sustainable Greenhouse Production Systems

Development of environmentally friendly production systems integrating beneficial microbes, nutrient management, and water conservation practices.

Student Opportunities

Students participating in Poudyal Lab may:

●      Conduct independent and collaborative research projects

●      Learn laboratory and greenhouse techniques

●      Develop scientific writing and presentation skills

●      Present research at local, regional, national and international level conferences

●      Publish research papers in scientific journals

●      Gain mentorship in biotechnology, agriculture, environmental science, and STEM careers

Principal Investigator:
Bharat Kumar Poudyal, PhD
Poudyal Lab. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Biological Sciences Department. 46269 Warm Springs Blvd. Fremont, CA 94539

Website: https://sites.google.com/asdrp.org/poudyal 

E-mail: bharat.poudyal@asdrp.org