Browsing by Author "Premathilaka, K.G."
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Item Adoption of Machinery in Tea Cultivation and Management by Tea Small Holders in Kalutara District(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Karunathilaka, U.M.; Dharmadasa, R.A.P.I.S.; Premathilaka, K.G.; Nakandala, D.M.J.Use of machinery is a vital investment to enhance the productivity and overall performance of the tea industry. It is considered to be a better solution for the problems of labor shortage and high cost of production. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting the adoption level of machinery. A sample of 154 tea small holders in Kalutara district was selected using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and by interviewing the tea small holders at their residences. Data were analyzed using descriptive techniques as well as a Tobit regression model. According to the results of the descriptive analysis, overall adoption level of machineries is 12.73%. Small holders have higher adoption regarding pruning machine (29.22%) and TR1 selective tea harvester (20.13%) while lower adoption on Holing machine (7.14%), Fuel operated plucking machine (5.19%) and Battery operated plucking machine (1.95%).The Tobit regression analysis revealed that farming experience, gender, family labor, information by TRI, land ownership and yield positively affect the adoption level while educational level of the farmer, age of the farmer and time spending in the tea land negatively affect the adoption level of machinery. Therefore, more attention should be given on these significant variables to find the appropriate strategies for increasing the machinery usage by tea small holders in the study area. Awareness programs on machineries should be arranged frequently to improve the knowledge and awareness of the tea small holders in Kalutara district.Item Evaluation of the Efficiency of Weed Seed Separation from Crop Seeds Using the Seed Color Sorter(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Gunathilaka, K.R.K.S.; Premathilaka, K.G.; Jayakody, D.P.P.Seed color sorter machine has the potential to help quarantine purposes by facilitating the separation of weed seeds from crop seeds. It separates weed seeds from crop seeds based on color differences with the help of Near Infra-Red cameras. The current study was conducted to evaluate the separation efficiency of ‘Sinvec’ seed color sorter with the appropriate speed level. This study was conducted at the National Plant Quarantine Service, Katunayake, during the period from September to December 2019. Three random samples of 500 g were taken from onion, radish, coriander, leeks, and carrot separately. Each sample was mixed with quarantine important weed seed mixture which was prepared using 5 quarantine weed seed species. 10 seeds from each weed species were used. Prepared samples were tested under 3-speed levels viz., 55, kg hr-1 , 45 kg hr-1 and 35 kg hr-1 . The manual separation was followed to clarify the obtained results. Average separation efficiency was calculated using 3 replicates. The time taken for the machine to finish the sorting process was measured and the weight of rejected crop seeds of each machine test was also weighed. Data were analysed using the SAS university edition. Speed 45 kg hr-1 showed better performances compared to the other two speed levels. Under 45 kg hr-1 speed, the weed seed separation efficiency for coriander was 80- 100%. Separation efficiency for leeks, carrot, onion, and radish was 73-100%, 76-100%, 50-86% and 46.7-90%, respectively. Always, the machine method consumed less time compared to the manual method. Drawbacks of seed color sorter were found during the study as it was unable to achieve 100% separation efficiency, Improper data feeding procedure, Malfunctioning with crop seeds treated with colored fungicides, highly sensitive to voltage variations, the higher weight of rejection, needs of proper technical knowledge to operate the machine. These findings will be useful in the future for the proper functioning of the new Seed Color Sorter in handling large seed lots. Keywords: Seed colour sorting, Separation efficiency, Weed seeds, QuarantineItem Investigation on Durability of Different Mulches and Their Effect on Weed Growth in Low-Grown Young Tea(Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Rathnayaka, R.M.D.T.; Premathilaka, K.G.; Bandara, N.P.S.N.Mulching is an essential cultural practice for weed suppression and conservation of soil and moisture in tea lands. However, this recommended practice has been neglected by tea growers due to scarcity of mulching materials and high cost of labour. Potential use of any plant material as a mulch depends upon its durability. An investigation was carried out to find out alternative plant materials as mulches, which are more durable and available at a lower cost. Shoots of Diyapara (Dillenia suffruticosa), Flemingia (Flemingia congesta) and Acacia (Acacia auriculiformis) were selected as mulching materials. These together with artificial agricultural mulch were tested against Mana grass (Cymbopogon confertifloru). Plots each sized 3 x 3.6 m in a tea new clearing was covered with each mulch material simultaneously as a treatment at the rate of 1.4 kg m-2 on dry weight basis. Experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates. Results indicated that both Diyapara and Acacia were found to be more durable recording the highest weed suppression (0.61 kg fresh weight m-2) and the lowest mean weed count,12.7 (0.09 m-2) were presented with Diyapara. The highest soil moisture retention (15%) during short dry spells, the lowest soil temperature (26-27 °C) throughout the experiment and the highest C: N ratio of 28:1 was also reported with Diyapara. There was no any significant improvement in tea growth between any mulch treatments (p>0.05). Further, no any allelopathic effect was manifested by any of mulch materials. Diyapara has an ability to suppress weeds more effectively than other mulching materials owing to its high durability.