Browsing by Author "Gunasena, H.M.P.M."

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    Investigating the Association between Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) and Connnelina benghalensis
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Gunasena, H.M.P.M.; Premathilake, K.G.; Balasooriya, A.
    A study was conducted to investigate the presence of an association between the Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) and Commelina benghalensis. The effect of C. benghalensis as a weed was also studied as a specific objective. A pot experiment was carried out using single nodal stem cuttings of C. benghalensis and chili plants applied in 4 treatments, i.e. 3 stem cuttings + 2 chili plants (Treatment 1), 6 stem cuttings + 2 chili plants (Treatment 2), 6 stem cuttings alone (Treatment 3) and 2 chili plants alone (Treatment 4). Experiment was carried in a Completely Randomized Design with 10 replicates. As an indicator plant, chili seeds were sown after 3 days of planting weed cuttings and thinned out upto two plants per pot. Growth measurements of chili (height) and C. benghalensis (creeper length) were measured at fortnight intervals. After 10 weeks of planting cuttings, fresh and dry weights of chili and weed were measured, soil nutrient analysis for Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus for each treatment was done, soil VAM spore counts were taken and root colonization percentages of VAM were calculated from each treatment. Root colonization percentages and the spore counts gave no any significant difference among treatments having C. benghalensis. Root colonization percentage by VAM ranged from 50-55% at 10 weeks after planting and the soil VAM spore count ranged 170-185 per 100 g of soil. Soil phosphorous level was significantly higher in pots with C. benghalensis due to Phosphorous solubilization. Therefore, the limiting factors for plant growth seemed to be some other nutrients or factors, rather than Phosphorus. Longest creeper length, creeper fresh and dry weight were observed in treatment 3 and significantly lower in treatment 2. Height, and fresh and dry weight of chili were significantly lower in treatment 2 and treatment 3 compared to treatment 4.The study concluded that there is an association between VAM and C. benghalensis and although there is a competition between the weed and the crop there are some favorable effects particularly due to Phosphorus solubilization.
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    Investigating the Association of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) with Commelina benghalensis Weed Species
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Herath, H.M.M.P.S.; Prematilake, K.G.; Gunasena, H.M.P.M.
    A study was conducted to investigate an association between Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) and Commelina benghalensis weed. In field experiment 1 carried out at Wewessa estate consisted of 2 treatments, i.e. tea alone and a tea plot infested with C. benghalensis. In field experiment 2 carried out at the Uva Wellassa University, tomato was planted as an indicator plant in association of C. benghalensis. Single nodal stem cuttings of C. benghalensis was planted at 4, 8 and 12 cuttings per plot as treatments. Experiment was undertaken in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Plant height of tomato and creeper length of C. benghalensis were measured weekly. Soil N, P and pH were analysed before and 3 months after commencement and tea yield was measured weekly at Wewessa estate. In both experiments VAM spore counts and root colonization percentages were calculated at 6 weeks’ intervals. Dry weights of both C. benghalensis and tomato were measured. A significantly higher VAM colony count (19.5) and spore count (21) were reported in the treatment of Tomato planted with 12 C. benghalensis cuttings per plot 3 Months After Planting (MAP) when compared to that of Tomato planted with 4 cuttings per plot and the initial root colony count. Phosperous level in the rhizosphere was also significantly (p<0.05) increased when tomato planted with 12 C. benghalensis cuttings per plot, 3 MAP when compared to that of tomato planted with 4 cuttings per plot. In the field trial, there was no any significant (p>0.05) difference in tea yield between tea alone and tea planted in association of C. benghalensis. The study concluded that there is an association between VAM and P solubilization in C. benghalensis. This association has favourably affected on tea and tomato growth.
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    Investigation of Possible Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (VAM) Associations in Prevalent Weeds in Tea Cultivations of Uva Region
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Ranasinghe, D.H.Y.A.; Prematilake, K.G.; Silva, P.D.P.M.D.; Gunasena, H.M.P.M.
    A study was carried out to investigate the possible Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (VAM) associations in some prevalent weeds. VAM association in roots of some weeds is said to be favourable for crop growth. Weed root samples from the rhizosphere of Ageratum conyzoides, Axonopus compressus, Bidens pilosa, Borreria latifolia, Cleome rutidosperma, Drymaria cordata, Eleusine indica, Erigeron sumatrensis and Oxalis corniculata were collected from two tea estates, Wewessa and Spring Valley in Uva region covering IM1a agro-ecological zone. Soil samples from the rhizosphere of each weed were collected and tested for soil pH. VAM root colonization percentages and spore counts were calculated using Grid method and Doncaster’s counting disc method, respectively. The highest VAM count was recorded as 47.67% with Axonopus compressus weed and the lowest as 20% with Eleusine indica. The highest spore number was counted as 265 with Borreria latifolia and the lowest as 70 with Axonopus compressus. The mean pH was within the range of 6.2 to 4.8 at 19 ± 1 °C in two locations.