Browsing by Author "Herath, H.M.S.K."
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Item Comparison of the Effectiveness of Fertilizer Produced from Tannery Waste with Synthetic Fertilizer for Plant Growth(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Asangika, H.L.T.; Samaraweera, A.M.; Herath, H.M.S.K.; Wickramasinghe, W.Tanning is a process by which hides are converted into leather. There are large amount of waste generated during leather processing. Among them fleshing waste, the removed flesh parts from the limed skin during fleshing operation are produced in large quantities (Rach et al., 1997). Animal fleshing, generated from pre-tanning operations constitute about 50 to 60% among tannery solid wastes that are high in protein (50.9%) and collagen (3.5%) (Anim, 2013). Conversely, nitrogen is the most important nutrient which is required for plant growth (Abubakar et al., 2004). Therefore, animal flesh can be used as a good source of nitrogen for the plant growth and this research was carried out to produce liquid nitrogen fertilizer from fleshing waste generated in the tannery. Methodology Flesh samples were collected from Ceylon Leather Products PLC at Mattakkuliya in Sri Lanka. Enzymatic and Alkaline hydrolysis were done separately to hydrolyze the flesh using Erhavit DMC (a proteolytic enzyme) and carbide lime, respectively. Carbide lime (6%), Erhavit DMC (0.4%) and water (200%) were used according to the weight of the flesh (5 kg each) for hydrolysis at 11-13 pH and 37 C and 5 g of bactericide was added to each mixture. Three replicates were done for each treatment and liquid extracts were collected on day 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 to measure the Soluble N % using kjedhal method. Liquid extracts which gave the highest nitrogen content (%) were selected from each treatment as liquid N fertilizer. According to the trials liquid extract from day 6 alkaline hydrolysate and day 10 enzymatic hudrolysate were selected. Selected alkaline and enzymatic hydrolysates, urea (positive control) and without any N fertilizer (Negative control), were applied to 14 days old lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa) to check the effectiveness of fertilizer. Equal quantities of phosphorous and potassium were added to all treatments considering the nutrient requirement of the lettuce plant. Four treatments consisted three replicates including three lettuce plants per replicate. Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was conducted and data was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and mean comparison was done by Tukey test. Results There is a significant difference among the four treatments and number of leaves of the plant (p<0.05). According to the Figure 1 treatment one was the best because it gave the highest mean value (12.967) compared to other treatments while treatments. Similarly, there is a significant difference among the four treatments and height of the plant in the experiment. According to Figure 2 treatment two was the best because it gave the highest mean value (22.600) compare to other treatments.Item Determinants of Tea Exporters' Intention to Import Other Origin Orthodox Tea(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Dilina, M.A.D.T.; Kahandage, K.P.M.; Herath, H.M.S.K.; Yasarathne, S.Currently, Sri Lanka allows importing all Cut, Tear, Curl (CTC) tea, green tea, organic tea and specialty tea but restricts Orthodox tea. Under such condition, exporters have a positive intention on importing Orthodox teas too. Therefore, this study attempted to find the determinants of intention to import other origin Orthodox tea to Sri Lanka and to assess awareness of tea exporters' on repercussions if importation of tea is liberalized. A sample with 90 tea export companies was randomly selected and data were collected using structured questionnaires and interviews. Regression analyses were undertaken to find determinants. According to descriptive analysis, large scale companies have the highest intention to import tea than small and medium companies. Moreover, it revealed that the companies having an intention to import Orthodox tea to the country are experiencing higher cost of production than no intention companies. As per the results, cost of production, market share, international competition and time period of company started significantly affected on the intention to import other origin Orthodox tea to the country. Keywords: Importation, Orthodox tea, IntentionItem Determination of Optimal Grid Size for Mapping Soil Property Distribution for Paddy Cultivation(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Dilrukshi, V.P.A.; Rathnayake, R.M.C.W.M.; Rathnayake, W.M.U.K.; Herath, H.M.S.K.The importance of understanding spatial variability of soil properties is connected to crop management and planning. This understanding makes it possible to treat soil not as a uniform, but a variable entity to increase the production in paddy cultivation. This study was conducted to propose an optimum grid size for selected soil properties in Bakamuna area in Polonnaruwa district of Sri Lanka. The study area consisted with 6.25 km2 and 96 soil samples were collected within the plough depth of 0-15 cm. The number of samples distribute as 96 samples in 200 m grid size, 37 samples in 400 m grid size, 16 samples in 800 m grid size, 8 samples in 1 km and 2 samples in 2.5 km grid size. The variability of soil pH, electrical conductivity, available P, exchangeable K, available Zn and soil texture were subjected to descriptive analysis and Inverse Distance Weighted interpolation (IDW) technique. Soil pH showed Coefficient of Variation (CV) range from 1 - 7% in different grid sizes, which could be categorized as properties with low variation where CV was less than 10%. Electrical conductivity showed CV range from 30 — 60% in different grid sizes. Exchangeable K range from 10 — 80% and available Zn range from 20 — 60% of CV values indicating medium variability, (CV 10 —100%). Soil available P showed higher CV (>100%) values for 200 m, 400 m and 1 km grid sizes and rest of grid sizes showed medium CV values. Soil texture showed low variability distribution in paddy soil. This study shows the intensity of sampling is related to variability of soil properties. Sandy clay and sandy clay loam soil texture were observed in study area. Sandy clay loam soil texture was found only for two soil samples out of 96 in 200 m grid size. These results indicate 2.5 x 2.5 km grid size is optimum for determine the soil texture. Electrical conductivity and available Zn represent higher spatial variability in 800 x 800 m grid size indicating optimum grid size for mapping of those soil properties. 1 km grid size is optimum grid size for exchangeable K, available P and soil pH. Keywords: Rice, Grid sampling, Soil properties, Coefficient of variationItem Determination of Selective Chemical Quality Parameters of Commercial Tea Blends(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Wijebandara, L.R.S.P.; Bandara, S.M.I.P.G.; Herath, H.M.S.K.; Liyanage, A.Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is the second most widely consumed popular non-alcoholic beverage in the world for centuries due to its sensory attributes and health promoting effects. About 3x10 kg of various teas is consumed every year as a whole (Lu et al., 2004). Commercially, tea is used in blends combining several grades originated from different elevations and agro-climatic conditions. Those are distributed around the country through the auction and other meansunder different estate marks. This study was an effort to add more information on chemical quality of commercial tea blends by evaluating selected chemical quality parameters and comparing those with selected parallel products available in Australian market under different brands. Methodology The current study was carried out at Ceylon Tea Services PLC (CTS), Paliyagoda. Laboratory analysis was done at SLAB accredited chemical laboratory of Food Technology Department at CTS. Thirteen types of company standard green tea and black tea blends were evaluated.Total polyphenol content, caffeine content, moisture content of tea blends and pH, total soluble solid content, colour intensity of the brew were measured for 8 black tea blends 2 local green tea blends and 3 imported green tea blends. Chemical quality parameters were compared with 5 different tea brands under 5 different product categories. Five competitor samples (Twinings, Woolworth, Lipton, Abeya and Madura) which represent the leading brands in international tea market were compared with selective tea standards using chemical quality parameters. Those different tea blends which were used to produce different teas were considered as treatments. Total polyphenol content was determined according to the International Organization for Standardization method (ISO) 14502-1. Caffeine determination was based on Jenway Bibby Scientific (Application note: A09-010A). Moisture content (loss in mass at 103 °C) was determined on a portion of test sample in accordance with ISO 1572:1980 for leaf tea. The value for total soluble solids (TSS) of brew was measured using a refractometer(Atago, Japan) at 20°C (Borse et al., 2012).The color intensity of the tea brew was measured using a spectrophotometer at 450 nm (Halligudi et al., 2012). pH value of tea brew was measured using a pH meter (Cyberscan, Japan) at 25 C (Halligudi et al., 2012).Data were analyzed using the statistical procedure of one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5 % level of significance and mean comparison was done using Tukey test at 95 % confidence interval using Minitab 16 statistical software.Item Determination of Shell Charcoal Yield of Different Coconut Varieties in Sri Lanka Under Optimum Temperature Condition(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Perera, W.N.U.; Herath, H.M.S.K.; Asanka, J.R.K.Due to improper management, inefficient use of resources, low quality inputs and production procedures, charcoal production in Sri Lanka has become a less profitable industry, which pollutes the environment while causing health problems to the workers as well as to society. In Sri Lanka, charcoal is mainly produce using traditional methods. Therefore, the efficiency of these methods and quality of the charcoal produces are low compared to modern-improved technologies. As a developing country, it is difficult to adopt these improved methodologies due to lack of capital and other facilities. The study was carried out to determine (i) Optimum temperature condition for carbonization of Coconut shells and, (ii) the variety that gives the highest charcoal yield. Methodology To determination of optimum carbonization temperature, Coconut shells were oven dried for two days at 70 C, crushed and passed through 5mm sieve. Samples were weighed and placed in a muffle furnace at carbonization temperatures of 200,250, 300,350,400,450,500,550 C for different resident time periods 5, 10, 15,20,25,30 minutes respectively. The charcoal yield was weight in each occasion. Quality parameters such as volatile matter, ash content, moisture content and fixed carbon content of the charcoal was determined. The temperature and time, at which to weight charcoal yield with best quality produced were taken as the Optimum temperature and time. Which referred to the one, which gave the highest amount of charcoal with particular quality parameters (moisture content, ash content and volatile matter content) under optimum carbonization conditions.Item Developing Composite Boards Using Rice Husks and Coir Pith(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Madumal, M. N.N.B.; Weerawansha, A.N.R.; Herath, H.M.S.K.; Liyanage, S.M.Accumulation of unmanaged wastes, especially in developing countries such as Sri Lanka, has resulted a great concern on environment. At present, with industrial growth and technology development, waste generation is increasing from different industrial sources. Disposal of this waste has been amajor problem. Hence, an acceptable solution for this issues is essential (Bach, 1999). Therefore, this study was designed to utilize the generated waste from rice and coconut fiber industries, in large amounts. The objective of this research was to develop composite boards, using coir pith and rice husk, which aim to meet the same mechanical properties of medium density fiber board as the standard check. Through this research the mechanical properties of newly developed boards were measured and statistically compared with the standard properties of medium density fiber board. Methodology Rice husks, coir pith and phenol formaldehyde resin (binder) used to produce composite boards. Coir pith required for this research was collected from coir mounts of coconut fiber factory, Nattandiya, Coconut Development Authority. Rice husk was collected from a small scale rice mill located in Rambukkana. Fresh mounts were collected all the time as raw materials to preserve the original quality. At the collection time, surface layer of the mount was scrapped out.Item Development of a Flavored Jelly Incorporated with Green Tea Extract(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Sirisena, A.M.N.T.; Alakolanga, A.G.A.W.; Herath, H.M.S.K.; Wickramage, C.P.Tea (Camelia sinensis) is considered as one of the most popular non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beverage all over the world. It is rich with phenolic compounds, which have more health benefits. Green tea showed a higher polyphenol content than black tea (Anesini et al., 2008). A cup of green tea (2.5 g of green tea leaves/200 ml water) may contain 90 mg of Epigallocatechin Gallate (Cabrera et al., 2006). At present, only 21% of the world tea market belongs to Sri Lanka however Sri Lankan tea industry produces 40 – 45 % of value added tea products from the total tea exports (Herath and Silva, 2011). Development of ready-to-use product by incorporating tea creates an additional value to the primary product of tea and it will attract more consumers towards. The objectives of this study were to develop a ready to serve jelly by incorporating green tea extract, and to determine total amount of polyphenol in the product, appropriate proportion of the ingredients, and the shelf life of the product. Methodology The research was conducted as three experiments. In experiment 1, the suitable jelling time and temperature combination were identified. The formulated sample was subjected for three levels of time and temperature combinations. To obtain proper texture for setting of green tea jelly, the mixture was heated up to the range of 100 – 110 C for about 5 to 10 minutes. In experiment 2, by changing the green tea extract level (0, 1, 2 and 3%), suitable amount that should be incorporated to the product was identified by seven trained evaluators. Their responses were obtained under taste, aroma, texture, color and overall acceptability parameters. Pectin, sugar, water, permitted chemicals (citric acid, ascorbic acid, sodium benzoate) and green tea extract were used as the main ingredients. In the third experiment, Apple flavor was used and by changing the flavor strength, the suitable flavor level for the product was identified. The developed flavored jelly was evaluated for taste, aroma, mouth feel and overall acceptability, using thirty non-trained evaluators. The data of the both sensory evaluations were collected through sensory ballots and their responses were obtained in five point hedonic scale. Identification of yeast and moulds, E’coli / Coliform and aerobic plate count were done in order to evaluate quality of the product and determine the shelf life of the final product samples during ten weeks of storage period under both ambient and refrigerator conditions. The media solutions were prepared according to the Sri Lankan Standards 516 in 1991. Changes in pH value and dissolved solid content of final product were determined to identify the stability of the product. As the chemical requirements of the jelly, determination of moisture, acid insoluble ash and pectin content were carried out according to the Sri Lankan Standards 585: part 5 in 1994. The polyphenol content was determined by following ISO 14502-1:2005. The cost analysis of the product was calculated by considering the expenses made for the ingredients and packing materials. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test (non parametric) with 95 % confidence level. To select the best treatment combination, mean separation was done by Conover-Inman method (Conover, 1999). Results were analyzed through MINITAB 15 and graphical methods were used to interpret the results.Item Development of Fumigation Protocol for Liquid Phosphine for the Control of Rice Weevil (Sitophilusoryzue) in Stored Milled Rice(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Seelawansha, K.A.T.L.S.; Warshamana, I.K.; Nugaliyadde, L.; Weerawansha, A.N.R.; Herath, H.M.S.K.An experiment was designed to develop a fumigation protocol for liquid phosphine (2% phosphine and 98% liquid carbon dioxide) to control rice weevil (Sitophiltisolyzae) in stored milled rice and thereby to increase the food safety at the quarantine service in Sri Lanka. The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Design with eight concentration levels of liquid phosphine;10, 20, 35, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 g (equivalent to 140, 280, 490, 700, 1400, 2100,2800, and 3500 ppm, respectively) with a control treatment. All treatments were replicated three times. Each concentration level was tested under two time regimes (24 and 36 hrs.) and 50 same-aged adults were introduced to glass vials with 50 g of milled rice in each. Similarly, other life stages viz. pupae, larvae and egg infested rice, each weighing 50 g, were introduced separately to vials for fumigation. Mortality of S. oryzae was recorded soon after the fumigation as well as 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 d after fumigation. In the eight treatments, except for the control treatment, 100% mortality was recorded inthe adult stage, in both time regimes. After 14 d of treatment, all tested concentration levels against pupae of S.oryzaesh ❑ wed mean newly emerged adult numbers of 0.67, 0.67 and 0.33 (P < 0.0001) at 140, 280 and 490 ppm, respectively, forthe 24 hrs.time regime and 0.33, 0.33 and 0.67 (P 0.053) at 140, 280 and 490 ppm, respectively,for the 36 hrs. time regime. After 28 d, 24 hrs.treatment of liquid phosphine concentrations against the eggs of S. oryzae recorded a mean newly emerged adult number of 0.67 (P = 0.003) at 280 ppm whereasthe 36 hrs.treatment of liquid phosphine yielded adult numbers of 0.33 and 0.33 (P = 0.322) at 140 and 280 ppm, respectively. The lowest concentration and the lowest fumigation time to achieve 100% mortality of all stages of S. oryzae was 700 ppm with24 hrs.of fumigation time. Therefore, the concentration level of 700 ppm with 24 hrs. of fumigation time can be declared suitable for achieving 100% mortality of S. oryzae, as per the present findings.Item Development of Soil Fertility Map for Paddy Cultivating Areas of Mahaweli System B in Polonnaruwa District(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Chathuranga, R.P.G.; Rathnayake, R.M.C.W.M.; Rathnayake, W.M.U.K.; Herath, H.M.S.K.Paddy is a major cultivation crop in Polonnarwa District. In recent time a considerable gap has appeared between the potential yield and the real yield. Though several factors contribute to this effect, imbalanced soil fertility is one of the major factors. Therefore, survey of soil fertility was carried out in the area of Mahaweli system B in Polonnaruwa district to identify the status and spatial variability of plant nutrients in paddy cultivating areas to recommend management practices to enhance productivity. Sampling points were identify using 1:50000 topographic maps of Polonnaruwa, Wakaneri, Elahera and Aralaganwila. Geographical Position Systems (GPS) coordinates were used to record the geographic position. Sampling area was divided in to 2.5 x 2.5 km grid sizes and two samples were taken from one grid and 110 samples covering the total land area. In each sampling point, soils were augured up to 15 cm and composited. Soil samples were air dried and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, available P and Zn, exchangeable K and Na. The pH value varied from place to place but most of the area covering the irrigation scheme had pH below 5.5. All the area had low EC value (<0.125 dS/m). It indicates the low level of salinity. Soil available P content was considerably lower (<10 ppm) than the recommended value in almost of sampling the area. Available Zn concentration was between 1-5 ppm in all the area while the soil exchangeable Na value was above the recommended value (>100 ppm). There was a low concentration of exchangeable K value (<78 ppm) in most of the area. It is concluded that inverse distant weighted is the most suitable interpolation technique for mapping soil pH, EC, available P, Zn and exchangeable Na and K as regard to the lowest Root Mean Squire Error (RMSE) and Mean Error (ME) values. The soil fertility characteristics of the Mahaweli system B in Polonnaruwa district are not at optimal level to achieve maximum potential of rice yields. Therefore, development and adoption of suitable management practices are needed to enhance and sustain the rice production in this area. Keywords: Soil suitability,Soil fertility, Interpolation, Geographical position system, Mahaweli BItem Effect of Activated Carbon Produced from Spent Tea Leaves on Dechlorination of Water(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019-02) Ekanayake, E.M.T.S.; Alakolanga, A.G.A.W.; Herath, H.M.S.K.Dechlorination is the process that removes total residual chlorine from water. Activated carbon can be used as a dechlorinating agent as it is an excellent adsorbent. As a precursor material for producing activated carbon there is a possibility that spent tea leaves can be used, otherwise; they will be only an agricultural waste. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possibility of removing total chlorine residuals present in water using activated carbon produced from spent tea leaves which was activated with H2SO4 and K2CO3. The produced activated carbon was used to filter chlorinated water which has different concentrations of total residual chlorine. Retention time during filtering was changed as 0, 15 and 30 min. For the precursor material and activated carbon, FTIR, XRD and ash testing were conducted. The results showed that there is a positive correlation between chemical activating agent, initial residual chlorine concentration and retention time. Minimum total residual chlorine in the filtrate was given by H2SO4 chemical activation agent with 30 min retention time. When the initial total residual chlorine concentration was 780 ppm, it removed 100% chlorine residuals in the water regardless of the retention time. The pH of activated carbon produced using H2SO4 chemical activation agent was 7.27 whereas the other one produced using K2CO3 showed 7.41. The column of activated carbon which is produced from spent tea leaves and chemically activated using H2SO4 can be used to filter chlorinated water effectively under 30 min retention time.Item Effect of Biochar Application on pH and pH Buffering Capacity of Rubber Growing Soils(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Rathanayaka, R.A.G.S.; Herath, H.M.S.K.; Dharmakeerthi, R.S.Rubber (Heveabrasiliensis L.Muell. Arg.) growing soils in Sri Lanka are less fertile and characterized by low cation exchange capacity (CEC), very high acidity, and low organic carbon (OC). This has resulted low fertilizer use efficiency and low productivity in rubber growing soils. In order to increase soil fertility effectively, amending these soils with biochar (BC) are being evaluated (Dharmakeerthi et al., 2012). Biochar, is a solid material produced from pyrolysis of biomass, is a highly alkaline material with high CEC and higher percentage of stable OC (Sohi et al., 2010). Amending soils with BC may change soil pH and pH buffering capacities (Xu et al., 2012). However, there is no data available on changes of soil pH after BC addition in rubber growing soils not only in Sri Lanka, but also anywhere else in the world. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of rubberwood BC on pH and pH buffering capacity of some contrasting rubber growing soilsin Sri Lanka. Methodology Two soils from traditional rubber growing areas i.e. Red Yellow Podsol (RYP) from Paiyagala Estate, Dodangoda, Reddish Brown Latasol (RBL) from Parambe Estate, Parambe, and one soil from dry zone, Reddish Brown Earth (RBE) from Thanamalwila ,representing contrasting agro - ecological conditions were selected for the study. Those soils were mixed with BC made from rubber wood with two different rates, 0 and 2% by weight andincubated at 70% water holding capacity at room temperature 25±2ºC for 12 weeks. The change in pH was measured at 0, 1, 4, and 12 weeks after the biochar amendment. pH buffering capacity was measured in another set of amended soils, incubated for 40 days as above, using the methods given by Liyanage et al. (2012) with certain modifications. All treatments were replicated four times. Results and Discussion Application of biochar increased pH in all three soils; the increase was very small in Thanamalwila soil while the greatest observed in Payagala soil. Week after incubation, the pH increase in the three soils were 0.4, 0.9 and 0.9 for Tanamalwila, Parambe and Payagala soils, respectively (Figure 1). As incubation time increased from 1 to 12 weeks, the pH did not increase significantly (p<0.05) in Thanamalwila and Payagala soils, and the gap decreased in significantly (p<0.05) Parambe soils. types. Thanamalwila soil had the highest pH buffer capacity (7.3mmol/kgpH) while Payagala soil had the lowest value (4.7mmol/kgpH) Parambe soil had (5.5mmol/kgpH) in between value. The pH buffering capacity was highly significantly correlated with CEC of the soils ( R =0.92 ,p< 0.001), indicating that CEC was an important factor determining soil pH buffering capacity.Item Effect of Biochar on Phosphorus Availability and Fixation in Some Rubber Growing Soils of Sri Lanka(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Nandasena, M.A.G.H.; Herath, H.M.S.K.; Dharmakeerthi, R.S.In most rubber growing soils in Sri Lanka, Phosphorus (P) availability is very low and added P fertilizer becomes unavailable to the rubber plant due to strong fixation into Fe and Al oxide minerals prevalent in these soils (Dissanayake et al., 1994). Biochar (BC) may significantly improve soil fertility in acid and highly weathered soils (Lehmann and Rondon, 2006). With respect to soil chemical fertility, Dharmakeerthi et al. (2012) observed a significantly high P uptake in some BC amended rubber growing soils. BC have high P concentration than in other organic materials (Brown 2009). However, no experiment has been so conducted so far on dynamics of soil P (availability and fixation) in BC amended rubber soils, both in Sri Lanka and other rubber growing countries. Therefore, objectives of the present study were: (i) to study the changes in P availability with time in three contrasting soil types in rubber growing areas when they were amended with rubber wood biochar (RWBC), and (b) to determine the effect of RWBC on P fixation in those soils. Methodology Two factorial experiments with two factors; three soil types and three BC rates were conducted under laboratory conditions at Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka. . Biochar was produced from rubber wood (RW) at 350°C and added in to the three soils: Reddish Brown Latasolic soil from Parambe (PR), Reddish Brown Earth soil from Thanamalwila (TW), and Red Yellow Podsolic soil from Payagala (PY). Three BC rates were 0, 2 and 5% (w/w) from RW BC. Soils and BC samples were characterized for some important chemical properties using standard methods. In the first experiment each soil type was amended with the 3 BC rates and incubated in four replicates at 80% of water holding capacity (WHC), for 4 weeks. Available P contents were measured at 0, 1, and 4 weeks after incubation. In the second experiment, P fixation capacity of the three soils amended with three different BC rates was assessed, in triplicate, using the Portch and Hunter (1998) method with slight modifications. Five ml solution containing 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 ppm of P were added to BC amended and unamended soils after air-drying of 3-5 days. Available P from these two experiments were extracted according to the Bray II (Bray and Kurtz, 1945) method and determined by using a SKALAR San++auto analyzer. Data were analyzed using PROC GLM program of the SAS software packageItem Effect of Biofilm Biofertilizer on Tea Cultivation(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Chandralal, R.P.V.T.; Jayasekara, A.P.D.A.; Seneviratne, G.; Herath, H.M.S.K.; Silva, P.D.P.M.; Abeysinghe, D.C.; Premarathna, M.In tea cultivation, decreased soil quality can be seen in places where tea has been grown for a long period. Although chemical fertilizers (CFs) release nutrients quickly, they are leached to the deeper layers of soil polluting water bodies. Also, CFs deplete beneficial microbes and insects, thus decreasing plant immunity and soil fertility, causing huge damage to the ecosystem. Biofilm is an assemblage of microbes adherent to each other and/or biotic/abiotic surfaces and embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix of polymers. In-vitro developed biofilms can be used as biofilm biofertilizers (BFBFs). BFBFs can break the dormancy of microbial forms in the soil, thus enhancing biodiversity, nutrient cycling, plant immunity, and crop production. This study focused on analysing the effects of the BFBF on soil, plant, and microbial parameters. The study consisted of two uniformly managed tea lands in Badulla. The fields were applied with two treatments separately; (a) 100% CF of Tea Research Institute (TRI) recommendation of VPUva 925, and (b) 75% CF of TRI recommendation of VPUva 925 + BFBF 2.5 L ha–1 . All quantitative data were analysed with a two-sample t-test. An increasing trend was observed in endophytic diazotrophs (p=0.08) in BFBF treatment over the growers’ 100% CF practice. Significantly (p≤0.05) higher soil pH, moisture, labile carbon, organic carbon, total nitrogen, leaf total polyphenols (SPAD), made tea production and the amount of soil carbon sequestered was observed in the BFBF practice over the growers’ practice. However, a significant (p>0.05) difference could not be observed for soil available potassium and soil total phosphorous contents. Application of BFBF improved the nutrient utilization efficiency of plants and led to an increase in tea yield over the growers’ practice of CF alone application while cutting down CF usage by 25%. Therefore, it is concluded that the BFBF is an eco-friendly and economically viable method to replace the growers’ current practice of CF alone application. Keywords: Biofilm, Biofilm biofertilizers, Nutrient cycling, Soil fertilityItem Effect of Black Tea adulteration on quality parameters of Black Tea(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2015) Priyadharshana, N.L.V.N.; Herath, H.M.S.K.; Jayathilake, M.A.N.Black tea is produced by withering, rolling, fermentation and drying from the tender shoots of varieties of the species Camellia sinensis (L.) (ISO 3720, 2011). Black tea adulteration is a particularly massive problem because of the universality of its consumption (Kariyawasam, 2014). Since black tea is a pure beverage material, it should be free from extraneous matter, added colouring matter and harmful substances (FSSAI, 2011). But sugar, ferrous sulphate and sodium bicarbonate are added majorly to black tea during manufacturing to improve colour of tea particles and weight of tea (Deshappriya, 2013; Kariyawasam 2014). The current study was carried out at Sri Lanka Tea Board to investigate the effect of major adulterants on quality parameters of black tea. Materials and Methods Black tea manufacturing was carried out in Uva medium black tea manufacturing factory following general requirements and steps (withering, rolling, fermentation and drying). 50% sugar, 10% sodium bicarbonate and 10% ferrous sulphate solutions in mass fraction were treated separately to first dhools as adulterants after rolling and kept it for fermentation. Those adulterated black tea samples and pure black tea samples were analysed for quality parameters such as, total polyphenol content, moisture content, total ash, water soluble ash, alkalinity of water soluble ash, water extract, total plate count, total liquor colour and brightness. These quality parameters were analysed in accredited analytical laboratory at Sri Lanka Tea Board according to the ISO 14502-1: 2005 for total polyphenol content of black tea, ISO 1573: 1980 for loss in mass at 103 C (moisture content), ISO 1575: 1987 for total ash, ISO 1576: 1988 for water soluble ash and water insoluble ash, ISO 1578: 1975 for alkalinity of water soluble ash, ISO 1574: 1980 for water extract, SLS 516-1: 1991/ ISO 4833: 2003 for total plate count, spectrophotometric method described by Roberts, and Smith (1963) for determination of total colour and brightness of black tea. The data were statistically analyzed with ANOVA using Minitab statistical package. Mean comparisons with control level (pure black tea) and multiple mean comparison were performed by Dunnett simultaneous test and Tukey simultaneous test using General Linear model at 5 % significance level. Results and Discussion Externally added sugar, sodium bicarbonate and ferrous sulphate significantly (p<0.05) affected on total polyphenol content, total ash, water soluble ash, alkalinity of water soluble ash, water extract, total colour, brightness and total plate count except on moisture content. According to the Figure 1, the highest total polyphenol content (14.38 %) was recorded by pure black tea while the lowest (8.81 %) was given by ferrous sulphate adulterated black tea. It was lower than the ISO 3720 limit (9 %) which may be due to formation of Fe-Polyphenol complex during fermentation stage. High concentration of ferrous result in localized formation of iron polyphenols complex in made tea (Venkatesan et al., 2006). The total polyphenol content in sodium bicarbonate and ferrous sulphate adulterated black tea samples were significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to pure black tea sample whereas mean difference of sugar adulterated black tea sample was not significant (p>0.05). Total ash, water soluble ash, water extract values recorded by all three adulterated black teas were within the ISO 3720 limits while alkalinity (3.26 %) of sodium bicarbonate adulterated black tea was beyond the ISO 3720 limit (1-3 %). The alkalinity of sodium bicarbonate adulterated black tea sample was significantly higher (p<0.05) than pure black tea. The alkalinity of sugar and ferrous sulphate adulterated black tea samples were significantly lower (p<0.05) than pure black tea. The highest total colour (6.07 %) was observed in ferrous sulphate adulterated black tea while giving the lowest brightness (13.54 %) due to the lowest polyphenol content. Total polyphenol content is positively correlated with brightness which is responsible for tea liquor quality (Kottawa-Arachchi et al., 2011). Total colour for sugar and ferrous sulphate adulterated black tea samples were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to pure black tea while the total colour for sodium bicarbonate adulterated black tea sample was significantly lower (p<0.05) than pure black tea. Brightness values for all adulterated black tea samples were significantly lower (p<0.05) than pure black tea. TPP - total polyphenol content, MO - moisture content, TA - total ash, WSA - water soluble ash, ALK - alkalinity, WE - water extract, TC - total colour, BRI - brightness.Item Effect of Catalytic Carbon on Efficiency of Chloramine Removal(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Shanadi, A.T.; Jayakody, S.; Alakolange, A.G.A.W.; Herath, H.M.S.K.Chlorine and chloramine are the famous disinfectants that are mostly used in water treatment applications. Due to adverse effects of chlorination, an increasing number of public water suppliers are moving from chlorine to chloramine and therefore, the latter has become an alternative disinfectant. Chloramine level less than 4 ppm is considered safe for drinking water. High concentration affects the quality of the water in terms of taste and smell while leading to health risks. Also, chloramine is a contaminant that is difficult to be removed at the point of use. Activated charcoal can be used as a solution for this issue. Because, the activated catalytic carbons has very high reaction kinetics for the removal of chloramines from drinking water given the high static and dynamic adsorption capacity. The objective of the present study was to find out the most efficient Haycarb catalytic carbon type for removing chloramines from drinking water. For this purpose, six different varieties of Haycarb catalytic carbon (HC/MCA/01, HC/MCA/02, HC/MCA/03, HC/MCA/04, HC/MCA/05 and HC/MCA/06) were tested feeding with 30 ppm chloramine solution under three different laboratory conditions (powder static adsorption test, granular static adsorption test and dynamic adsorption test). Adsorption capacity of the catalytic carbon was also calculated. According to the results, the sample HC/MCA/05 showed significantly (P<0.05) higher chloramine adsorption capacity compared to the other five samples: powder static adsorption capacity: 491 mg g-1, granule static adsorption capacity: 260 mg g-1, dynamic adsorption capacity: 900 mg g-1 at 25 Ml min-1 flow rate with 60s Empty Bed Contact Time. In conclusion, the sample HC/MCA/05, which is a surface modified wood based Haycarb catalytic carbon, is the best variety that can be efficiently used for removing the chloramine in drinking water.Item Effect of Different Irrigation Levels on Flower Initiation and Some Yield Attributes of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.)(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Priyadarshana, R.W.LB.; Subasinghe, H.M.P.A.; Herath, H.M.S.K.; Ranawana, S.R.W.M.C.J.K.Black pepper (Piper nigruni L.) popularly known as "king of spices" is one of the earliest spices known to man and is the largest commodity in the international spice trade. Pepper is cultivated over an area of 32,800 ha. of Sri Lanka, mostly in Matale, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya districts. Water scarcity in Dry Zone and some parts of Intermediate Zone has limited the expansion of cultivation and moisture stress may cause variation in yield attributes in black pepper. Identification of optimum irrigation level to get higher yield in black pepper is vital as such information is limited. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted under protected environmental conditions to find out the variation of yield parameters of black pepper under different irrigation levels. Three irrigation levels (8, 4, 2 L plant-I) were applied weekly to the selected 3 year old black pepper vines of MB-12 variety. There were 3 replicates, grown in 38.7 L pots containing a potting mixture of Reddish Brown Latosolic soil and Compost at 2:1 ratio. Different yield parameters were recorded. Mean values of yield attributes such as number of spikes per plant (81), spike length (11.76 cm), filling percentage (88.9%), number of berries per spike (87.4), fresh weight of berries of 10 spikes (128.1 g) and dry weight of berries of 10 spikes (37.9 g) were significantly higher in black pepper vines with the irrigation level of 8 L plant-' compared to other two treatments. It was also observed that the yield attributes progressively decreased with decreasing level of irrigation in the study. Therefore, an irrigation treatment closer to field capacity (8 L plant-I) is more suitable to get a higher yield in black pepper and further studies are suggested at field level before making recommendations.Item Effect of Long Term Phosphorus Fertilizer Application on Phosphorus Availability and Cd Accumulation in Rice Soils (Oryza sativa L.)(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Dasanayaka, I.G.C.R.; Herath, H.M.S.K.; Sirisena, D.N.Rice occupies approximately 33 % of the total cultivated area in Sri Lanka accounting to 0.78 million hectares (Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2010). Plant nutrients are essential for the production of crops and in term of healthy food for the world’s increasing population. In that context, phosphorus (P) is an important nutrient in rice cultivation. P is directly absorbed form soil and makes up 0.1% - 0.4% of the dry matter in plants. It involves in carbohydrate breakdown for energy release, cell division and transfer of inherited characters. P stimulates early root growth and development, hastens maturity of plant, improves seed production and involves in energy transformation. Since supply of P from soil is not enough to obtain higher grain yields, farmers are advised to apply P fertilizer into soil. These synthetic fertilizers carry lot of heavy metals such as Cd as contaminants. Scientists are of great interest at the moment of the contamination of heavy metals to paddy fields through P fertilizer especially super phosphate (TSP). Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal and is also known as one of the major environmental pollutants. Cd is dissolved in water, taken by crops, transferred to human body by ingestion causing health problems. This research was conducted to study the effect of P fertilizer application in the long term basis on soil fertility status and grain yield of paddy. Methodology The study was conducted at Rice Research and Development Institute Batalagoda situated in the low country intermediate zone IL1 agro ecological region of Sri Lanka (longitudes of 800 and 810 and latitude of 70 and 80 at an elevation of 65 meters above sea level). Soils of the experimental site belong to Kurunagala soil series and great soil group of Psummentichupludult. Treatments namely: no P fertilizer (T1); seasonal P fertilizer application (T2); alternative seasonal P application (T3) were used and arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates. P fertilizer rates added to the above experiment were based on the recommendation given by the Department of Agriculture (Department of Agriculture, 2001). respectively. Soil samples were analyzed for available P and total P contents. Plant samples were analyzed for plant P contents. To determine Cd accumulation in soil, straw, seeds, plant and soil samples were analyzed. Having air dried and passed through 2 mm sieve, each sample was thoroughly ground into fine powder and total P, available P and Cd were measured.Item Effect of Organic and Conventional Management of Tea [Camellia Sinensis (L.)0. Kuntze] Cultivation on Soil Productivity and Crop Response of Tea on the Fifth Pruning Cycle(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Vijayangani, M.P.N.N.; Mohotti, K.M.; Jayasingha, H.A.S.L.; Herath, H.M.S.K.In organic tea cultivation, poor productivity is a major problem despite its all other benefits. This study attempted to assess long term impacts of field grown tea at the fifth pruning cycle under organic and conventional management in the long term TRIORCON trial established at Tea Research Institute, Talawakelle. Organic management treatments included tea waste, neem oil cake and compost and the conventional system was under TRI recommendations on agro inputs. Selected crop and soil indicators were studied. In parallel, beans grown on relevant soils under glass house conditions were used as indicator plants to elucidate short term effects.Data analysis was undertaken using SAS statistical package by analysis of covariance. Results revealed that chemical parameters of organically treated soils differed significantly (P < 0.05) from those of the conventionally treated soil. Soil pH was within the suitable range in the four treatments. Soil organic carbon contents in organic (Compost) and conventional systems were 3.69 and 2.60%, respectively. Total N content (%) was 0.40 and 0.26 under organic (Compost) and conventional systems, respectively. Soil exchangeable K shown in organically treated soil (Tea waste) was 116.25 ppm. The highest soil available P was determined in the conventionally treated soil, 53.75 ppm. The highest biological richness was exhibited as 66.42 CFU mg-1 in the organically treated soils (Tea waste) whereas the lowest richness (30.25 CFU mg-') was observed in the conventionally treated soil. The overall yield drop in this organically treated cultivation system was 25% lesser than that of the conventionally treated tea. Shoot length and shoot: root ratio of beans was not significantly (P > 0.05) different. Proper crop and soil fertility management with organic systems is expected to maintain the organic system to be healthy and also to ensure premium price for the product while demonstrating environment and social benefits.Item Effect of Weed Control Methods on Soil Invertebrate Community in Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zealanicum Blum) Ecosystem(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Buddhika, I.D.M.; Herath, H.M.S.K.; Jayasinghe, G.G.Cinnamon is an important perennial spice crop, which is grown commercially mostly along the coastal belt from Negambo to Matara, and in areas such as Kalutara and Ratnapura. Various agronomic practices are associated with the cinnamon cultivation and weed control is one of those. Methods such as chemical weeding (Glyphosate), mammoty weeding and slash weeding are the popular weed control practices. Soil invertebrates are defined as the organisms without backbone. Soil invertebrates can have different impacts on land productivity. Their community can be altered with different agronomic practices especially weed control. Therefore, this research was conducted to examine the effect of different weed control methods on soil invertebrate community in cinnamon cultivation. Methodology The study was conducted at Cinnamon Research Station, Palolpitiya, Matara (6˚ 01' 38" N, 80˚ 33' 36" E, 47 m)as three experiments during the period of June – August, 2013. The first experiment was conducted to identify the soil invertebrates which are found in cultivated cinnamon lands for many years. Five trials were undertaken using five soil samples taken from different places in the cultivated cinnamon land. The soil invertebrates were extracted to a reagent bottle with 70% ethyl alcohol using modified Berlese funnel extractors. Extracted soil invertebrates were observed under the stereo microscope and identified using a dichotomous key. The second experiment was conducted to determine the effect of three different weed control methods (mammoty weeding, chemical weeding and slash weeding) with a control (no weed control) on soil invertebrate community in cinnamon cultivation. Three plots, in which three different weed control methods practiced were selected and tested consecutively for three months as the main treatments. Three different levels of soil depths (1-10, 11-20 and 21-30 cm) with litter layer as the sub treatments with three replicates were assigned in split-plot design. Soil invertebrates were extracted from 412cm soil sample using modified Berlese funnel extractors, observed through stereo microscope, identified using a dichotomous key and counted the number of individual in each soil invertebrate orders. Data were subjected to ANOVA using SAS package. The third experiment was carried to ascertain the relationship between soil invertebrates with selected soil properties and rainfall. Selected soil properties were tested according to the standard methods. Soil bulk density was tested using core sampler method on dry basis and soil moisture content was determined using gravimetric method. Soil organic matter content was tested according to Walkey and Black method and soil pH was determined using pH meters. Monthly rain fall data were recorded in a rain gauge fixed in Cinnamon Research Station. The relationships were tested by correlation analysis using SAS package.Item Effect of α-Pinene on the Soil Bacterial and Fungal Population and Soil Organic Carbon in Eucalyptus Plantations(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019-02) Dahanayake, P.M.; Premetilake, M.M.S.N.; Henegamage, A.P.; Herath, H.M.S.K.Nutrient cycling is essential for the stability of an ecosystem where soil microorganisms play a significant role. Some allelochemicals such as α-pinene produced by certain plant species may suppress the activity of these microorganisms. Eucalyptus, which is a popular plantation species in Sri Lanka, is known to emit α-pinene. However, its effect on soil microorganisms and soil fertility is not well known. The present study investigated the relationship between α-pinene content, soil microorganisms and soil organic carbon content in 7-year-old Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus torelliana plantations. As the control plantation, an adjacent Patna grassland (previous land-use before afforestation) was used. Three subplots (20 × 20 m) were established within each site and soil was sampled up to 15 cm depth. Soil organic carbon content was measured according to the Walkley-Black method. Following a serial dilution, bacteria and fungi were cultured and CFU mL-1 was calculated. The α-pinene in soil samples was extracted using petroleum ether and was analyzed using GC-MS. According to the results, there was a significant (P<0.05) variation between organic carbon, α-pinene content and bacteria quantity between the plantations and the adjacent grasslands. However, there was no significant (P>0.05) variation in fungi quantity. The highest organic carbon content was observed in E. torelliana plantation (2.08% ±0.3), however; the highest α-pinene content was found under E. grandis plantation (0.14% ± 0.09). Interestingly, the highest bacterial count was recorded under E. grandis plantation (3.0 x 105 CFU mL-1) while the highest fungi count was recorded in grassland. There were no significant (P>0.05) correlations between the soil α-pinene content, soil bacterial and fungal count fungal and the organic carbon. There is no significant effect (P>0.05) of α-pinene content on the bacterial and fungal counts and organic carbon in young E. grandis and E. torelliana plantations.