Browsing by Author "Somachandra, K.P."

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    The Effectiveness of Farmer Field School Approach for Dissemination of Technologies to Seed Potato Farmers in Badulla District
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021) Dilshan, U.S.G.; Amarathunga, M.K.S.L.D.; Amarakoon, A.M.C.; Somachandra, K.P.
    Although farmers in Badulla district can gain higher income by cultivating potato compared to other crops they have to face more challenges as the potato requires intensive and costly inputs for its cultivation in comparison with other field crops. Thus, the main objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the Farmer Field School (FFS) Approach as an agricultural innovation and dissemination platform for improving farmers‟ knowledge and adoption of appropriate cultural practices and thereby improving land productivity and profitability of the seed potato cultivation. The stratified purposive sampling technique was performed to select 40 seed potato farmers who participated for the FFS program (considered as FFS group) conducted in four AI ranges (Perahettiya, Halpe, Etampitiya, and Mirahawatta) in Badulla district and another 40 farmers who were not attended for the same program [considered as NFFS Group)] and living in same locations. A cross- sectional field survey administrating pretested structured questionnaire and focus group discussions were undertaken to collect primary data on socio-economic status, knowledge, adoption level, yield and cost of production, and farmers' attitude towards the FFS approach. A scoring system and 5 point Likert scales were developed to measure the above criteria and index. Descriptive analysis, hypothesis testing, and Ordered Logistic Regression model were applied to measure variables and explain the relationship among the tested parameters using SPSS statistical package. The result show that there was a significant difference between FFS and NFFS seed potato growers on knowledge (t =11.64, p < 0.000) and adoption of agricultural practices (t =7.94, p < 0.000), productivity of land (t = 4.039, p < 0.00), and cost of production (t = -5.729, p < 0.000), and these findings reveal that FFS group are far advanced in reference parameters compared with NFFS group. Findings of the Ordered Logistic Regression model reveal that the model as a whole is fitted significantly (P < 0.05). R square of the model expresses that 26.75% proportion of the variance in adoption level significantly improved the recommended cultural practices as explained by seven independent variables (education, experience. and indexes of social participation, group dynamic, satisfaction, and sustainability). The findings of this study proved that FFS approach is as an agricultural innovation and dissemination platform for improving farmers‟ knowledge and changing their attitude on adoption of appropriate cultivation practices, and thereby improving land productivity and profitability, and living standard of self-seed potato farmers in Badulla district. Keywords: Badulla District; Effectiveness; Farmer Field School; Seed potato
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    Screening a Bean Germplasm for Fusarium Wilt Disease, Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2016) Perera, G.Y.A.D.D.; Chandrasena, G.; Silva, P.D.P.M.D.; Somachandra, K.P.
    Fusarium wilt or Fusarium yellows is an economically important fungal disease of common bean worldwide. The causal agent of this disease is Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli. The study was conducted to find the suitable medium for the multiplication and to determine the reaction of 30 common bean accessions, including two susceptible controls (Wade and Keppetipola Nil) to the Fusarium oxysporum isolates under greenhouse condition. Isolates of the pathogen were collected from the root and stem fragments of common bean plants grown in the production fields of Regional Agricultural Research and Development Center, Bandarawela. Species identity was based on the colony characters, nature of conidiogenous cell, and morphology of microconidia, macroconidia and chlamydospores. It was found that isolates had a relatively high growth in Bean extract Agar (BEA) medium, comparatively to Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and Corn Meal Agar (CMA) medium. Screening of the bean germplasm in the greenhouse was done by transplanting inoculated seven day old seedlings into pots filled with pasteurized (1:1) soil: sand medium. At 15 days after inoculation, the primary leaves showed epinasty symptoms and chlorotic areas appeared on leaves followed by necrosis at their margins of most accessions, including two recommended varieties. Disease severity was recorded 21 days after inoculation using a Disease Severity Index and it was observed that disease reactions in the germplasm varied from highly resistant to highly susceptible. Out of the 30 bean accessions including two recommended varieties there were 2 resistant, 19 intermediate and 11 susceptible accessions in the germplasm. Keywords: Common beans, Germplasm, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli, Fusarium wilt, Greenhouse screening
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    Screening of Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Breeding Lines against Fusarium Wilt Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Phaseoli
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Inshirah, A.A.F.; Somachandra, K.P.; Jayasekara, E.A.E.S.S.; Alwis, L.M.H.R.; Silva, P.D.P.M.D.
    Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Phaseoli (Fop) is an important pathogen that causes Fusarium wilt in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). This disease is one of the most harmful diseases of bean worldwide. Use of resistant cultivars is the most reliable method of fusarium wilt prevention. There are no resistant varieties found in Sri Lanka so far. Identification of resistant breeding lines will help breeders to develop resistant or moderately resistant bean varieties. The objective of this study is to identify resistant/moderately resistant bean breeding lines against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Phaseoli among 19 common bean breeding lines developed at RARDC Bandarawela, Sri Lanka. These lines were evaluated with 2 susceptible controls (Wade and Keppetipola Nil) under greenhouse condition .Screening of bean breeding lines was done by transplanting inoculated seven day old seedlings filled with pasteurized sand: soil medium (4:1) into in disposable plastic cups. After 10 days of inoculation the disease symptoms such as chlorosis, necrosis and wilting of leaves were started appearing including 2 susceptible controls. Observations were taken after 21 days of inoculation and Disease Severity Index (DSI) was used to calculate on a resistant to susceptible. Out of 19 bean breeding lines including two control varieties it was identified 9 resistant (DSI 1-3), 10 intermediate (DSI 3.1 -6.0) , 2 susceptible (DSI 6.1-9.0) breeding lines. These bean breeding lines can be classified into three groups as resistant, intermediate and susceptible.