Browsing by Author "Fonseka, D.L.C.K."

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    Bark, Leaf and Stem Yield of Cinnamon as Affected by Spacing and Type of Planting Material: At the Stage of First Harvest
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Aluthgamage, H.N.; Fonseka, D.L.C.K.; Benaragama, C.K.; Kumarasinghe, H.K.M.S.
    Cinnamomum verum J. Presl (cinnamon), is an evergreen aromatic plant with several uses and considered as a prominent spice throughout the world. Though, quills produced from bark are the most familiar product of cinnamon, leaves and stems also yield some economically valuable products. Therefore, this study was aimed at identifying the effect of spacing and type of planting material on the yield of leaves, bark, and stems of cinnamon at the stage of the first harvest. Seedlings and vegetatively propagated plants of cinnamon variety Sri Gemunu were planted under three different spacing as 1.2×0.6 m with three plants per hill, 1.2×0.4 m with two plants per hill and 1.2×0.2 m with one plant per hill as two-factor factorial RCBD at the Agriculture Faculty premises of University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. Seedlings in 1.2×0.6 m spacing with three plants per hill were used as the control. The first harvest was collected after two years from the establishment and the measurements were taken. According to the results highest mean dry weight of bark (59.68 g), leaves (267.9 g), and stems (600.1 g) were recorded in control. But it was not significantly different (p<0.05) from seedlings in 1.2×0.2 m spacing with one plant per hill. The highest yield of quills per plant (55.58 g) and the highest mean weight of bark per centimeter of the harvested shoot (215.41 mg cm-1) were also recorded in the control. But it was significantly different (p<0.05) only from vegetatively propagated plants in 1.2×0.2 m spacing with one plant per hill. The type of planting material and spacing does not have any significant influence (p<0.05) on the bark stem ratio of cinnamon plants at the stage of the first harvest. When considering the results of the study, seedlings tend to produce more bark, leaf, and stem yield when compared with vegetatively propagated plants at the stage of the first harvest. Though vegetatively propagated plants have higher yield potential, it appears to require more time to develop a better structure which can give a higher yield. Keywords: Cinnamomum verum J. Presl, Spacing, Planting material, Yield
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    Modified Planting System for the Quality Improvement of Cinnamon Quills
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021) Aluthgamage, H.N.; Fonseka, D.L.C.K.; Benaragama, C.K.; Kumarasinghe, H.K.M.S.
    Though Sri Lanka is the largest supplier in the global cinnamon market, majority of exported cinnamon quills are categorized as lower grade with lower export value. Export earnings can be enhanced by increasing the production of higher grade quills. By altering the current production system, stems suitable for higher grade quills (medium girth, long and straight) can be produced. This study was conducted to identify the effect of spatial pattern, type of planting material and harvesting interval on stem structure of cinnamon in order to produce higher grade quills. Seedlings and vegetatively propagated plants (VP) of cinnamon; variety Sri Gemunu were planted under three spatial patterns as (A) 1.2×0.6 m with three plants per hill, (B) 1.2×0.4 m with two plants per hill and (C) 1.2×0.2 m with one plant per hill at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. Stems were harvested in two planting intervals as 6 and 8 months and height, top diameter, bottom diameter and average diameter were recorded. Study was conducted under 3 factor factorial split plot design with 4 replicates. The results revealed that, interaction effect among 3 factors was not significant (p < 0.05) for stem height or diameter. Interaction effect of spatial pattern and planting material along with planting material and harvesting interval were significant (p < 0.05) for stem height. Height of seedlings harvested in 8 months interval (2nd harvest: 205.61 cm, 3rd harvest: 235.14 cm) was significantly higher (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, seedlings established in spatial pattern C were produced significantly longer stems (2nd harvest: 202.72 cm, 3rd harvest: 238.99 cm) (p < 0.05). Any interaction effect or main effect were not significant (p < 0.05) for top diameter of stems. Bottom diameter of stems harvested in 8 months interval during 2nd harvest (24.44 mm) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than plants harvested in 6 months interval (21.31 mm) though the effect was not significant during the 3rd harvest. VP produce stems with significantly higher (p < 0.05) bottom diameter (2nd harvest: 26.87 mm, 3rd harvest: 33.75 mm) than seedlings (2nd harvest: 18.88 mm, 3rd harvest: 29.78 mm). Average diameter of VP (2nd harvest: 26.71 mm, 3rd harvest: 28.80 mm) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than seedlings (2nd harvest: 18.31 mm, 3rd harvest: 23.76 mm) while average diameter of stems harvested in 8 months interval (2nd harvest: 23.97 mm, 3rd harvest: 27.90 mm) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than stems harvested in 6 months interval (2nd harvest: 21.07 mm, 3rd harvest: 24.66 mm). Findings of this study can be used for production of higher-grade cinnamon quills and further quality enhancement studies of cinnamon. Keywords: Cinnamon; Higher grade quills; Seedlings; Spatial pattern; vegetatively propagated plants
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    Present Situation of Floriculture Industry in Southern Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Ketipearachchi, K.G.; Fonseka, D.L.C.K.
    The floriculture industry is considered as a popular agribusiness for decades in Sri Lanka. The Southern province was identified as a possible area for expansion of the industry. But lack of adequate literature and information on the present situation about the floriculture industry hinders the expansion. Therefore, this study was designed to identify the present situation of the floriculture industry in Southern Sri Lanka. Data were collected from the randomly selected 70 growers based on a pre-tested questionnaire survey conducted during August – November 2019 by visiting exhibitions and monthly meetings of flower grower societies in Galle (Galle, Nagoda divisional secretariat divisions), Matara (Matara, Akuressa, Weligama divisional secretariat divisions) and Hambantota districts (Ambalantota, Sooriyawewa Beliatta divisional secretariat divisions) belongs to the Southern Province. According to the analysed data, almost all (99%) the growers were female, educated up to O/Ls (54%) and the majority (73%) of them were more than the age of 45 years. Most (54%) of growers have earned monthly income more than Rs.10,000. Most (79%) of them had established shade houses while all growers are cultivating in the open field. This industry is involved in 43% of unemployed women and 57% of women after retirement from their occupations. Products are sold directly to consumers or in the exhibitions by 49% of the growers while a smaller number of products sold to a wholesaler and retailers. This business is run mainly (95%) by using family labour. Flowering plants (Anthurium, Orchids, Roses, Bogunvellia, Aquatic flowering plants, Jasmine, etc) and foliage plants (Dracaena, Agloneama, Calathea, Philodendron, Cordyline, Maranta, etc) are sold as pot plants and high demand can be seen for new varieties. Planting materials are collected from local farms, exhibitions, or exporters. Chemical or organic fertilizer combinations are applied by the majority of growers (59%). Chemicals are mainly (81%) used for disease and pest control. Almost all the growers had been stated that there is sufficient demand for the floriculture industry in southern Sri Lanka (100%, p-value 0.05). Therefore, this study revealed that floriculture is a popular industry among people, further studies should be conducted to find potentials and constraints for expansion of the industry in the region. Keywords: Floriculture, Growers, Present, Southern, Sri Lanka
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    Standardization of Callus Induction Protocol for Extraction of Secondary Metabolites from Andrographis paniculata (Kiratha)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Ranaweera, I.D.N.; Anuruddi, H.I.G.K.; Fonseka, D.L.C.K.
    Andrographis paniculata, known as Kiratha or Heen binkohomba in Sri Lanka is an important medicinal plant with some valuable secondary metabolites. Cultivation and extraction of secondary metabolites from this plant are constricted due to limitations in conventional propagation methods. Therefore, this study aimed to standardize a callus induction protocol for this plant to extract secondary metabolites. Nodal cuttings, leaves, and seeds were tested for surface sterilization with two Clorox concentrations (10%, 15 %) and three exposure periods (5 min, 10 min, 15 min). For callus induction and multiplication, the established cultures were transferred to Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various combinations and concentrations of Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) (1.0, 2.0 mgL-1 ) and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4 D) (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mgL-1 ). All experiments were arranged according to a completely randomized design with 25 replicates. Non-contamination percentage, amount of calli formed, and appearance of callus by its colour and growth were recorded and subjected to analyse variance and Kruskal-Wallis test as required. Seeds were the most suitable explant for callus induction because of 100% non-contamination in all treatments. However, 0% of non-contamination was observed (p≤0.05) for nodes and leaves. When considering minimum resources allocation, 10% Clorox for 5 minutes exposure time period was selected as the best surface sterilization method. The highest calli formation (91.8%) was observed in MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mgL-1 2, 4 D + 1.0 mgL-1 NAA (p≤ 0.05). Result was significantly different only from the treatments with 1.0 mgL-1 2, 4 D + 1.0 mgL-1 NAA and 1.5 mgL-1 2, 4 D + 2.0 mgL-1 NAA. Excellent callus with non-brownish colour (83%) and callus with excellent growth (67%) were observed in the same treatment. Secondary metabolites will be extracted and compared with mother plants in future studies. Keywords: Callus, Induction, Extraction, Andrographis paniculata