Browsing by Author "Maheshika, W.A.H."

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    Determination of Pectinase and Cellulase Activity of Fungi Species Isolated from Unsanitary Landfill in Badulla
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Thennakoon, T.M.A.R.S.; Singhalage, I.D.; Maheshika, W.A.H.
    Municipal solid waste is one of the major sources for microbes having potent enzymatic activities. The positive impacts of such microbes could use for finding a suitable solution to overcome waste-related problems. The present study aimed at isolating and determining pectinase and cellulase activity of fungal strains living in unsanitary landfills. Fungi species were isolated in Potato Dextrose Agar medium. The isolated fungal strains were distinguished from each other by examining their morphological features through the light microscope after culturing them in slides. All fungal isolates were tested for cellulase and pectinase activities by using Carboxymethylcellulose and Vincent’s agar plates respectively. The good diffusion method was used in both assays. The diameter of the clearance zone around the wells was measured after the incubation. Data were analysed by ANOVA in Minitab 17.1. According to the results, a total of 29 fungal species were isolated and coded from F1-F29. Among them, 21 species were positive for pectinase activity whereas 20 species were positive for cellulase activity. The significant (p < 0.05) mean diameter for pectinase activity was given by F22 (40 mm) and for cellulase activity by F9 (19 mm). Eight fungi isolates (F22, F16, F23, F9, F24, F25, F15, and F2) were shown both pectinase and cellulase activities. Thus, such cultures having positive pectinase and cellulase activities could be useful in organic waste management in unsanitary landfills. The fungal species having pectinase and cellulase activities yet to be identified. Keywords: Unsanitary landfill, Fungi, Pectinase, Cellulase
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    Development of Microbial Biofertilizer for Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Maheshika, W.A.H.; Singhalage, I.D.; Henagamage, A.P.; Seneviratne, G.
    Extensive application of chemical fertilizers and agrochemicals has led to environmental and health issues, and has contributed to climatic changes. In order to minimize the usage of them, environmental friendly biofertilizers containing inoculants of beneficial microorganisms have been introduced. Present study aims in investigating a microbial biofertilizer for tomato, a vegetable highly dependent on the chemical fertilizers (CFs). Bacterial species living in tomato rhizosphere were isolated in Nutrient Agar medium. Growth medium pH, growth in N free Combined Carbon Medium (CCM), phosphate solubilization, indole acetic acid (IAA) production and lettuce seed germination assay were conducted for them and 8 isolates ( J, C, S, F, I, R, B, E) were selected for tomato plant assay. Those isolates were inoculated to soil in tomato planted pots in triplicate. Recommended dosage of CFs for tomato was taken as positive control and a negative control was maintained without adding CFs or microbes. Plant height, number of leaves and flowering were recorded at 10th week and data were analyzed by ANOVA in minitab16.1. The highest clear zone diameter (40 mm) in phosphate solubilization and highest absorbance in IAA were given by isolate C. Inoculants B, R, S changed the colour of CCM into blue, while J, E, I, F, C changed the colour of medium to yellow. In lettuce seed germination assay, the highest vigor and germination percentage were observed in B (246) and F (82%), respectively. All bacterial isolates significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved plant height over the controls. The highest mean plant heights were observed under bacterial strains C (93 cm), S (91 cm), F (91 cm) and E (90 cm). Plant treated with C showed the significantly increased leaf number per plant over the other species and the controls. Flower number was highest in E and F treated plants. In conclusion, bacterial strains associated with tomato rhizosphere have the potential to be used as biofertilizers to improve the vegetative growth of tomato.