Browsing by Author "Chathurika, D.J.G.K."

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    Effect of Different Fertilizers on Growth Performance and Yield of Lanka Sour Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021) Meegallage, G.M.S.P.; Chathurika, D.J.G.K.; Weerakkodi, W.A.G.I.S.; Gunathilaka, K.R.K.S.; Premathilake, U.G.A.T.
    Tomato cultivation in Sri Lanka is an intensive and highly commercialized system. The continuous application of inorganic fertilizers leads to a decline of soil characteristics, accumulation of heavy metals in plant tissue, and harm to human health. Application of organic fertilizers a noble and eco- friendly practice to maintain sustainable soil fertility. Currently, there is an emerging trend towards the consumption of organically produced fruits and vegetables. The present study was performed to study the effect of different fertilizers on the growth and yield performance of Lanka Sour tomato, a traditional tomato variety, which has been poorly studied in Sri Lanka. Tomato was cultivated inside a protected house at Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with five treatments and five replicates. The treatments consisted of control (No fertilizer) (To), inorganic fertilizers (Urea, TSP, and MOP according to Department of Agriculture recommendations) (T1), compost (T2), poultry manure (T3), and cow dung (T4). Topsoil and sand (1:1) were used as the potting mixture. The pH, electrical conductivity, available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and exchangeable potassium (K) were analyzed in the potting media. The compost consisted of cattle manure, green manure, coir dust, dolomite, hay, and gliricidia. The highest nutrient composition (N-3.3%, P-4%, and K-3.1%) was recorded in compost. Under growth parameters, plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, stem girth, chlorophyll content of leaves, root dry weight, and root length were measured. The number of flowers per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit pH, and total soluble solid of fruits were taken as yield parameters. Significantly (p<0.05) highest growth performances {plant height (81.10±3.83cm), number of leaves/plant (841.4±81.0), stem girth (3.86±0.15cm), and root weight (28.04±10.12g)} were observed in compost treated plants. Moreover, the application of compost significantly (p<0.05) increased the number of flowers/plant (27.8±6.6) and fruit yield/plant (731.8±55.6g) in tomatoes. Results of the study indicated that Lanka sour tomato well responds to organic fertilizers, and compost application had promising effects on both growth and yield performances. Therefore, the present study suggested that there is a high potential to cultivate Lanka sour tomato under organic fertilizers. Keywords: Compost; Fertilizers; Growth; Organic; Tomato; Yield
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    Effect of Different Potting Mixtures on Crop Growth and Yield of Lanka Sour Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Chathurika, D.J.G.K.
    Tomato is one of the widely cultivated vegetable crops in the world. Lanka sour tomato is a traditional tomato variety in Sri Lanka. Various potting media use for tomato cultivation with a combination of organic and inorganic substrates. There are significant issues with inorganic substrates. There are many waste products available in Sri Lanka which has the potential to use as organic potting substrates. Therefore, this study was performed to identify the most effective potting mixture for Lanka sour tomato. Five different potting media were used including(T1) Topsoil+ compost (control), (T2) Topsoil + compost + coir dust, (T3) Topsoil + compost + Half bum paddy husk, (T4) Topsoil + compost + sawdust, (T5) Topsoil +compost + Tea waste. The experiment was conducted at Uva Wellassa University under controlled environment conditions. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with five replicates. Relevant treatments were mixed with a 1.1.1 ratio (w/w) respectively. Growth parameters such as number of leaves, number of branches, plant height, stem girth, chlorophyll content, root length, and root weight were measured. Number of flowers, number of fruits, fruit yield, fruit Brix and fruit pH were recorded as yield parameters. The highest number of leaves (523.40±117.38), stem girth (3.38±0.04cm), plant height (70.24+5.42cm), and chlorophyll content (64.09+11.09) were recorded in the T3 potting mixture. Furthermore, the number of fruits (14.80+5.02), fruit yield (1007.2±252g), fruit Brix (4.9±0.12), and fruit pH (5.37+0.12) were also higher in T3 than other treatments. T4 showed the,.highest root weight (17.60±4.56g) and root length (33.50±8.77cm). T5 had the highest electrical conductivity (395 p,S cm-1). T4 had the highest water holding capacity as a percentage of 67.99%. Half burn paddy husk incorporated potting mixture gave highest growth performances and yield of Lanka sour tomato. Paddy husk is an agricultural waste that has great potential .to utilize as an organic substrate for tomato cultivation. Keywords: Lanka sour tomato, Potting mixtures, Growth, Yield