Research Symposium-2016

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Browsing Research Symposium-2016 by Author "Alwis, L.M.H.R."

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    Assessing Adoption of Organic Pepper Cultivation in Kandy, Matale and Kegalle Districts
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Yallarawa, Y.S.M.M.P.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.; Wickramasinghe, K.
    Increased domestic and international demand for organic products, along with environmental and safety issues have stimulated policymakers and governments in some parts of the world to provide incentives for converting from conventional to organic farming. Sri Lankan agriculture industry is developing its potential to address it. The country is trying to be a quality organic supplier to the world market. This study was conducted to investigate the level of the adoption of organic pepper farming and to identify the factors affecting on intension to conversion of conventional cultivation of pepper to organic cultivation of pepper in Kandy, Matale and Kegalle districts. The data used in the study were collected from a sample of both organic and conventional farmers. A total of 126 respondents were selected from the three different cultivated areas to obtain main objective and 72 respondents were selected from the three different cultivated areas to obtain second objective. Probit model was used in this study to categorize the organic farming into adoption and non-adoption. Age of the household head, experience, land area and number of awareness sources have significant effect on the adoption of organic pepper farming. Gender, age of the household head, primary education, attitude on cost of non-organic farming and price per one kilogram of pepper have significant effect on intension to conversion. Forty three percent of farmers in the study area have adopted organic cultivation of pepper. Assessing the intension to conversion, conventional farmers show some potential for converting to organic practices. Seventy eight percent of the farmers in the study areais having an intension to convert their farms into organic. The institutions related to organic farming are very useful in providing information about organic farming. Government agencies, extension and research institution should play a vital role to strengthen the awareness and advantages of organic farming. Keywords: Organic farming, Intension to conversion, Adoption, Probit model
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    Characterization of Conserved Germplasm of Pungent Chilli Landraces (Capsicum chinense Jacq)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Jayathissal, K.A.M.Y.O.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.; Kannangara, K.N.
    Morphological and agronomical traits are widely used to study the diversity in Capsicum species, to determine the relationship between various species and to develop an identification key. Capsicum chinense Jacq ("Nai Miris") species are still not properly characterized as the attention has been directed to Capsicum annum species. Hence present study was undertaken to explore the morphological and agronomical diversity of Capsicum chinense Jacq at Regional Agricultural Research and Development Centre, Makandura, low country intermediate zone (IL,a). Thirty three morphological traits and fourteen agronomical traits considered for 48 accessions germinated from 112 Capsicum accessions. Accessions were collected from Plant Genetic Resource Centre and chilli breeder, Mr. K.N. Kannangara. Characterization was based on descriptor for Capsicum produced by PGRC. Based on the results of48 Capsicum accessions, there were no duplicated accessions within the studied accessions. The traits that largely contributed to the variability within and between the accessions included corolla colour, anther colour, fruit colour at intermediate stage, fruit colour at mature stage, fruit shape, mature leaf length, mature leaf width, number of days for flowering, number of days for fruiting, fruit length, fruit wall thickness, fruit weight and 1000 seeds weight. Cluster analysis showed that there are three major clusters in germplasm collection of Capsicum. One major cluster consisted with 23 accessions of pungent chilli having useful and most common characteristics such as: annular constriction of calyx and clusters of flowers or fruits at node, which are exclusively found in the Capsicum chinense Jacq accessions. The twenty three accessions divided in to seven sub clusters and showed wide genetic diversity that exists in Capsicum chinense germplasm. Keywords: Morphological traits, Agronomical traits, Capsicum chinense Jacq, Cluster analysis, Genetic diversity
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    A Comparison of Selected Biochemical Parameters in Between Susceptible and Tolerant Tea Cultivars for Glyptotermes dilatatus (Low Country Live Wood Termite)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Abeyrathna, H.M.D.C.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.; Weerawansha, A.N.R.; Mevan, K.M.; Fernando, M.S.C.; Senanayake, P.D.
    Pest damages are a severe problem to the Sri Lankan tea industry. Low Country Live Wood Termite (LCLWT), Glyptotermes dilatatus is one of the most economically important pests in Sri Lanka as they attack to the low grown teas which have the highest contribution to the Sri Lankan tea production. Introducing highly tolerant cultivar with high yielding is the most promising method among various methods of controlling pest. Feasibility of using biochemical parameters for the screening of new cultivars for the pest attack of LCLWT is a new approach in today's world. This research was conducted to compare selected biochemical parameters; Caffeine, total Catechin and total Polyphenol contents in between tolerant and susceptible cultivars for LCLWT. Healthy and rotted stems of nine cultivars (TRI 4042, TRI 4049, TRI 4053, TM 4054, TRI 4061, TRI 3014, TRI 3025, TM 3055, TRI 3069) which were susceptible and tolerant to LCLWT were collected separately. Caffeine content had increased in all cultivars upon infestation. Tolerant, moderately tolerant and susceptible cultivars had high, moderate and low total catechin content in the healthy stems, respectively. Total catechin and total polyphenol content decreased in all the cultivars upon infestation. There are main three clusters at 0.75 distances according to the biochemical parameters considered in healthy stems and tolerant, moderately tolerant and susceptible cultivars to the LCLWT are divided into clusters separately. Keywords: Low country live wood termite, Semio-chemicals, Cultivar screening
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    Detection and Confirmation of Phytoplasma Disease in Different Crop Species by Using Molecular Technology
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Amarasinghe, A.A.I.M.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.; Silva, P.D.P.M.D.; Basnayake, B.M.V.S.; Tennakoon, T.M.N.D.; Nandasena, K.D.
    Phytoplasma disease is caused by plant pathogenic Phytoplasmas, which are cell wall less bacteria that causes devastating losses in yield and quality of crop production in Sri Lanka. Effective control is required to minimize the spread ofthe disease through identification of the organism. Detection and confirmation of phytoplasma diseases in infected crop species by using molecular technology required to gain rapid accurate results in identification to compete with increment of virulence ofthe pathogens. However, there are least number of research conducted on phytoplasma diseases in Sri Lankan context. Hence, this study was conducted as a molecular approach for phytoplasma detection, identification and confirmation. The Polymerase Chain Reaction based method was used with universal primers for 16S rRNA gene to detect phytoplasma in fifty different suspected crop species and the amplified DNA fragments in 557 by were visualized on 2 % agarose gel. Thirty-six crop species gave positive results with producing DNA fragment in 557 by size. For accurate detection of phytoplasma caused symptoms in Sapota (Manilkara zapota) and Petunia (Petunia sp.) two oligonucleotide primers were designed, using sequenced phytoplasma DNA extracted from infected Sapota and Petunia plants. Those designed primers were characterized, optimized and primer specificity was analysed. Primers Mx for Sapota is forward -5'- GCCAGGCAGTCCACTTATCA-3' and reverse 5'- GTGCACGCCCTAAACGAATC-3'. The length of the primer was 20 bases and detectable band in gel profile was 88 bp. with three unstable hairpin loops. Primer Mx best annealing temperature was 50 and showed 90 % specificity. Primers Px for petunia is forward sequence '5-CGGCTTGGCTACCCTTTGTA-3' and reverse sequence 5' - TACCTGGCCTTGACATGCT-3. The length of the primer was 20 bases and detectable band in gel profile was 288 bp. with eight unstable hairpin loops. Primer Mx best annealing temperature was 45 and showed 30 % specificity. Mx and Px primers can be used for specific, sensitive detection of phytoplasma infect to Sapota (Manilkara zapota) and Petunia (Petunia sp.) plant species. Key words: Phytoplasma, Polymerase chain reaction, Primers, Gene sequencing, Template DNA
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    Determinants of Adoption Decision of Newly Improved Tea Cultivars by Tea Small Holders in Uva Region
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Jayasinghe, W.S.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.
    Tea small holding sector plays a pivotal role in the economy of Sri Lanka. Tea small holders in Uva region face some challenges caused by biotic and abiotic stresses in tea growing as the consequences of them. Therefore these issues such as fungi, bacteria, sun scorch, cold lead the low productivity and poor quality tea. Adoption of newly improved cultivars in tea sector is a vital investment to enhance the productivity and to sustain the yield stability under different environmental stress conditions. The purpose ofthis study is to identify the factors affecting on adoption decision of newly improved tea cultivars by tea small holders. The research was carried out in small holdings areas of Haliella, Bandarawela and Welimada divisions of Uva region. Two hundred tea smallholders were selected from 16 Tea Inspectors ranges in these divisions using cluster sampling and simple random sampling techniques. Population in each Tea Inspector range consists with separate farmer organizations called clusters. Then a simple random sample of clusters selected from the population. Probit model was used to identify the factors affecting adoption decision of newly improved tea cultivars by tea small holders. Results revealed that higher proportion (74%) of tea small holders in Uva region were to adoption of newly improved tea cultivars in their cultivations. 26% of tea small holders in Uva region did not get the adoption decision of newly improved tea cultivars. Tea small holders education, awareness and knowledge level, extension service contact, experienced with drought, membership of agricultural association, field affected by pest and deceases are the factors affecting to increase the adoption decision of newly improved tea cultivars by tea small holders. The factor of constraints to access of newly improved planting materials influences to discourage the adoption decision of newly improved tea cultivars by tea small holders. Key words: Adoption decision, Newly improved tea cultivars, Quality and productivity of tea, Tea small holders
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    Determinants of Value Added Production in Cinnamon Industry
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Jayathilaka, W.S.P.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.; Amarakoon, A.M.C.; Batuwantudawa, T.D.; Palakatiya, G.
    Value addition is currently an important topic in agriculture sector, especially to increase the economic value of agricultural products and to reduce wastage. Value addition has the ability to create employment, absorb excess labour from agriculture, enable rural residents to capture more margins from agriculture, hence raising rural income levels. Spice is one of the key agricultural sub sector of Sri Lanka. True cinnamon (Cinnamomuni zeylanicum) is unique and most economically valuable indigenous crop known as Ceylon cinnamon among all other spices in Sri Lanka. Regardless of the unique benefits associated with true cinnamon, there is limited value added cinnamon products range hence cinnamon processors receive less return from cinnamon industry. Using survey data from 83 cinnamon processors from Galle and Colombo Districts, this study analyzed factors affecting on value added production in cinnamon industry, an economic activity with a potential to improve household livelihoods but whose development has remained rudimentary. Binary logistic regression technique and SWOT analysis were used to identify the potentials and problems in the industry. The results revealed that cinnamon processors involvement in value added production is positively influenced by a number of significant factors including technology, attitude, cost of production, credit access and labour availability. Lack of support services and access to credit, inadequate technology, labour scarcity and high cost of production are the major problems of the value addition in the cinnamon industry. The major potentials of the industry are the established name and reputation of the Ceylon cinnamon around the world, health benefits of true cinnamon and the higher quality of true cinnamon than its major competitor Cassia cinnamon. Study recommended that cinnamon manufacturers should be informed about the benefits and importance of adding value to their agricultural commodities as a tool for poverty reduction, employment creation and economic development. Keywords: Binary logistic regression, Cinnamon industry, True cinnamon, Value addition
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    Development of a Protocol to Extract Quality DNA from Maha Aratta (Alpinia galangal (L.) Sw.) and Related Species
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Ranasinghe, R.A.S.N.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.
    Alpinia galangal (L.) of family Zingiberaceae is one of the valuable medicinal plants in traditional medicine. There are some morphologically similar plants forAlpinia galangal. Therefore, improper identification creates issues in traditional medicine. DNA barcoding provides correct identification of plants at molecular level. Quality DNA extraction from Alpinia galangal and other related species is needed for DNA barcoding. Thus, this research focused on development of a protocol to extract quality DNA from Alpinia galangal and five related species. Alpinia galangal, Alpinia calcarata, Alpinia malaccensis, Hedychium flavescens, Hedychium coronarivam and Hedychium coccineum leaf samples were used to extract DNA. Extracted DNA was visualized using 0.8 % agarose gel and quantified using UV visible spectrophotometer. The protocol developed to extract genomic DNA of Alpinia galangal and other related species consisted with following steps. In developed promising protocol, the first leaves were sterilized, weighed and kept at -200 °C for one hour, cut in to small pieces, ground with liquid N2 and transferred in to preheated buffer 2x CTAB with pinch of PVP. f3 mercaptoethanol was added. Then chloroform: isoamyl alcohol (24:1) extraction and centrifugation at 13000 rpm were done. After two chloroform: isoamyl alcohol extractions, DNA were left to precipitate at -200 °C for one hour. Then, supernatant was removed and wash buffer was added. Samples were centrifuged at 13000 rpm, and pellets were taken and allowed to dry overnight. Finally, dry pellets were dissolved in TE buffer. This promising protocol confirms that extraction quality DNA is at considerable amount from Alpinia galangal and other related species. Pure quality DNA is having absorbance ratio in between 1.8 to 2. It showed that DNA extracted using this developed protocol can be used to extract quality DNA from Alpinia galangal and other related species. Concentrations of DNA extracted from six Alpinia species, was in range of 150 to 275 ng 1.11-1. It also revealed that this developed protocol can extract considerable amount of DNA from Alpinia galangal and other related species. Keywords: Alpinia galangal, Maha aratta, Identification, DNA barcoding, Adulteration
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    Evaluating the Impacts of Land Use Land Cover Changes on Agro-biodiversity of Kandyan Home Gardens
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Abeysinghe, A.M.N.S.K.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.; Rathnayake, R.M.C.W.M.; Kadupitiya, H.K.
    Kandyan Home Gardens are multi-species traditional agro-forestry systems which conserve biodiversity. Land Use / Land Cover changes adversely affect on biodiversity in Kandyan Home Gardens. Land Use / Land Cover changes in the Kandy district were analyzed using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques. Landsat images of year 2000 and 2015 were used for the study. Supervised classification technique was used to identify different Land Use / Land Cover classes and Land Use / Land Cover change maps for year 2000 and 2015 were prepared. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) maps were prepared for year 2000 and 2015. Least square regression technique was used to rectify the climatic influences in satellite images. By obtaining the percentage NDVI change between 2000 and 2015, three Land Use / Land Cover change categories were identified; less changed, moderately changed and highly changed. Agro-biodiversity in Kandyan Home Gardens was evaluated through field investigations in 90 home gardens in Ambathenna, Pilimathalawa, and Gampola. The Land Use / Land Cover change category which each Kandyan Home Garden belonged to was identified using Global Positioning System. Species Richness, Shannon-Weiner index and Simpson Diversity Index were used to assess the agro-biodiversity. Land holding size in majority of home gardens was between 0.01 to 0.758 ha. Trees and root and tuber crops consisted of 88 species and 45 plant families were identified. Less changed area and moderately changed area had similar Species Richness and Shannon-Weiner values for diversity, but evenness of abundant species was higher in moderately changed area. Thus, agro-biodiversity in moderately changed area was high. Twenty seven species were perceived as threatened or lost from Kandyan Home Gardens. The study suggests the need of linking tree conservation programme with home gardens. A proper investigation has to be carried out to identify the threatened varieties. Keywords: Agra-biodiversity, Kandyan Home Gardens, Land Use / Land Cover change, GIS and Remote Sensing
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    Factors Affecting on the Population Levels of Cigarette Beetle (Lasioderma serricorne)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Wijesinghe, D.T.D.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.; Weerawansha, A.N.R.; Amarasena, S.
    Ceylon tea as a beverage has been enjoyed by people all over the world for generations. It still has the value and interest as a beverage with many health benefits. Over a significant period of time, Sri Lankan tea industry has made progress in expanding the value added tea products. At present, Sri Lanka's value added tea exports include instant tea, tea bags, iced tea, flavored tea, green tea, herbal tea, ready to drink tea and organic tea. Herbal tea has become a major segment of value addition sector. Herbal teas draw higher market prices not only for tea's beneficial values but also the medicinal value of the herbs. These herbs are highly vulnerable to the attacks by different insect pests at storage conditions. Cigarette beetle is being identified as the most prominent storage pest in herbs warehouses. This experiment was therefore designed to identify the optimum storing condition that depress the population level of the cigarette beetle. Temperature, moisture and light wavelength were tested in this investigation. Three experiments were conducted separately to determine the effect of moisture (5%, 7%, 9%, 11%), temperature (21°C, 24°C, 27°C, 30°C) and light condition (Blue, Red, Pure white, Day light). Pheromone traps were used as the monitoring traps for to measure the population level. Sex ratio was determined by visual observation of chemically treated beetles through the stereomicroscope for their sex. The temperature level of 21°C and the moisture level of 5% helped to reduce the population level of the cigarette beetle. Red light condition recorded a significant reduction of population level than that of other tested wavelengths. Male to female sex ratio was identified as 1 to 4. Reduction of male insect population can lead to drastic reduction of whole insect population as females in the next generation would not have adequate males for mating. Longevity of the captured beetle was recorded up to 4 weeks. Thirty five percent of beetles were able to live up to 21 days while 25% survived up to 14 days. Keywords: Cigarette beetle, Herbal tea, Storage conditions
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    Morphological Characterization of Capsicum Species Conserved in Plant Genetic Resources Centre
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Wijewickrama, A.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.; Wasala, S.
    Capsicum, which belongs to the family Solanaceae is widely grown field crop in Sri Lanka. There are more than 600 accessions of capsicum conserved at Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC), Gannoruwa. This study was conducted to evaluate the characters of locally collected chilli germplasm and to study the genetic diversity among the germplasm based on the morphological characters. Fifty-four germinated capsicum accessions from PGRC were used for the morphological characterization. Data were collected according to the descriptor, which was developed by PGRC, Gannoruwa. Cluster analysis was carried out to group these accessions according to the morphological traits. There were four major clusters and second major cluster has three sub-clusters. Due to similar phenotypic characters all the capsicum Chinese species came under one cluster and except six accessions of Capsicum frutescence, all other Capsicum frutescence accessions were clustered in one group. Except three Capsicum annuum accessions, others were assembled to one group. Considering qualitative characters, leaf shape, plant growth habit, branching habit, fruit shape, mature fruit colour and intermediate fruit colour highly contrast among three species. Fruit weight, length and fruiting and flowering time period like quantitative characters show the significant difference among accessions. According to the study, there was considerable diversity within and between capsicum accessions conserved at PGRC and can be utilized for chilli crop improvement. Keywords: Capsicum species, Morphological characterization, Cluster analysis, Chilli germplasm, Diversity
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    Screening of Tea Germplasm on Suitability for Green Tea Manufacturing
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Abesinghe, A.H. M. G. I.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.; Kahandage, K.P.M.; Ranatunga, M.A.B.
    Demand for green tea consumption has gone up among the local consumers. Thus, tea growers look for cultivars suitable for green tea production. Studies were conducted to screen the suitability oftea germplasm for green tea manufacturing aiming for developing better cultivars in future. Twenty six accessions from the germplasm representing exotic collection, recommended cultivars and estate selections were used. Two leaves and the bud were picked from plants and green tea was prepared using an optimized hand processing method by steaming to deactivate enzymes, hand rolling and pan frying, twisting and drying. Samples were triplicated and sensory evaluation on quality of ungraded green tea was done by professional tea tasters. Taster's comments were transformed into ranks and scores were summed up to get the Total Quality Score (TQS). Ranked data were subjected to cluster analysis using Average Distance Cluster method and resultant dendrogram was constructed using PAST 3 software. Twenty six accessions were grouped based on the average ratings given for individual quality parameters; dry leaf:, appearance, aroma, infused leaf: appearance, aroma, liquor: appearance, aroma, colour, taste using average linkage cluster analysis. Resultant dendrogram was clustered in to four major groups. First group comprised of CH13, estate selection and six accessions from the exotic germplasm collection. All those accessions were rated as producing high quality green tea. The second group consisted of TRI 4067 recommended cultivar and six other accessions from the exotic germplasm collection, which are also considered as good accessions for quality green tea. This is the first attempt on screening tea germplasm for developing a Sri Lankan green tea cultivar. Keywords: Green tea, Sensory evaluation, Exotic tea germplasm, Polyphenol, Caffeine