Browsing by Author "Kannangara, K.N."

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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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    Evaluation of Refused Tea as an Alternative Medium for Coir Dust in Potting Mixtures using Hot Pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Mihindukula, D.D.I.D.; Kannangara, K.N.; Herath, H.M.S.K.
    Coir dust is a by-product of coconut industry and used as a potting mixture. It is scarcely available in local market due to its high demand, Conversely, refused tea is a waste of tea industry and a threat to the environment due to its accumulation. The objective of present study was to evaluate refused tea as an alternative medium for coir dust in potting mixtures using hot pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq). A study under polytunnel conditions was carried out at Regional Agriculture Research and Development Centre, Makandura, Sri Lanka. Complete Randomized Design was adapted assigning six treatments according to the volume basis: T1 [soil], T2 [Soil + Compost, 1 : 1], T3 [Soil + Compost +Coir dust, 1: 1 : 1 ] , T4 [Soil + Compost + Coir dust + Refused tea, 1 : 1 : 1/2:1/2], T5 [Soil + Compost + Refused tea, 1 : 1 : 1 ] , T6 [Soil + Compost + Refused tea, 1:1:2] with four replicates. Soil moisture content, bulk density (g cm-3), pH, electrical conductivity, organic C, exchangeable K, available P and total N were determined. Number of days for the first and 100% flowering, height and canopy width at the first and 100% flowering, number of primary branches, plant fresh and dry weight, root: shoot ratio and root length were also recorded. Yield parameters were recorded every week: number of pods per plant and mean weight per pod (g pod-'). All tested refused tea media showed similar physico-chemical properties to the commercially available coir dust growth media. Out of the growth parameters T5 formed significantly higher root length and plant height compared to T3 (P < 0.05). With respect to the mean pod weight T3, T4 and T5 showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). The findings indicate that there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference between the both coir dust and refused tea media, it emphasizes soils mixed with refused tea result better plant performance. Hence; refused tea can be used as an alternative media for coir dust in potting mixtures in hot pepper cultivation.