Browsing by Author "Srikrishnah, S."

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    Effect of Graded Shade Levels on the Growth and Quality of Polyscias guilfoylei `variegata' in the Batticaloa District of Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Srikrishnah, S.; Sutharsan, S.; Narrnhikaa, K.; Mayoory, J.
    Identification of optimum shade level is essential for the cultivation of ornamental foliage plants. A shade house experiment was carried out to assess the effects of graded shade levels on the growth and quality of Polyscias guilfoylei `variegata', in the Batticaloa district during the period of July to November 2017. The experimental location was crop farm, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with twenty replications. Graded level of shades were defined as treatments viz. open field (T1), 50% (T2), 60% (T3), 70% (T4) and 80% (T5) of shade levels. Shade houses were constructed using commercial nylon nets of different shade levels. Rooted and uniform cuttings were used as planting materials. Agronomic practices were followed uniformly for all treatments. Plant height, leaf area, number of leaves and plant biomass were measured at monthly interval and quality of cuttings was assessed at the end of experiment as per the criteria given by Conover and Poole (1986). Analysis of Variance was performed to determine significant difference among treatments (p < 0.05). Plants provided with 70% shade level showed significantly (p < 0.05) better performance in measured growth parameters. In quality assessment also, plants grown at 70% shade level (T4) received significantly highest score. From this study it could be concluded that, 70% shade level is suitable for the export oriented cultivation of Polyscias guilfoylei `variegata' in the Batticaloa district as the growth and quality of the plants was higher.
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    Effect of selected organic sources on growth and yield of different maize (Zea mays L.) varieties in sandy regosol of Batticaloa district
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2013) Sutharsan, S.; Srikrishnah, S.
    The increased cost and ill effects on the environment and human being by using inorganic fertilizers have directed attention towards the use of organic manures, recently. Demand for organic agricultural products is rising in Sri Lanka due to attitude change of the people on health and environmental aspects. The increased demand for organically grown products urges scientists to disseminate knowledge to farmers. Maize is a popular coarse grain crop in Sri Lanka, grown in the second highest extent of land next to rice. Maize has a demand in foreign countries as it is used as a raw material in various industries. There is an increasing demand for exporting organically grown products including maize in Sri Lanka. In this situation, organically produced maize would gain more attraction from foreign consumers. Organic manures such as compost, cowdung etc. provides many advantages; improving soil tilth, aeration, water holding capacity and stimulating microorganisms in the soil that makes nutrients readily available (Lal, 1997) for plant absorption. However, there seems to be little use of organic manures island wide, and there is lack of knowledge on the effect of different manures on crop production. More information in relation to the use of organic manures is needed to educate the farmers. Hence, this research was carried out to evaluate the effects selected organic sources on growth and yield of maize varieties in sandy regosols of Batticaloa district and to select best manure for organic maize cultivation.
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    Effects of Different Population Densities on the Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) var. Thadra' in the Batticaloa District of Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Rameskaran, M.; Srikrishnah, S.
    An experiment was carried out to determine the effects of different population densities on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) var. Thadra' in the Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka during the period of June to September, 2017. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Plant population densities were defined as treatments viz. 111,111 plants ha" (T1), 83,333 plants ha-1 (T2), 55,555 plants ha."1 (T3), 41,666 plants ha" (T4), and 33,333 plants ha-' (T5). In this experiment, T3 was the control treatment as per recommendation of Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka. Agronomic practices were followed uniformly for all treatments as recommended by the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka. Growth parameters viz. plant height, leaf area, plant biomass were measured at monthly interval and yield parameters were measured at the end of the experiment. Analysis of Variance was performed to determine significant difference among treatments (p < 0.05). Results revealed that plant height, leaf area, plant biomass and thousand seeds weight of the maize var. Thadra' were significantly higher in 41,666 plants ha-1 (T4) compared with T3. It could be the optimum plant population for maize cultivation in Batticaloa district. Plants grown at this population density would have received optimum amount of resources. Therefore, growth and yield of maize var. Thadra' was higher at this treatment. The lowest population density (33,333 plants ha-1) and the highest population density (111,111 plants ha") reduced the growth and yield of maize var Rhadra' . From this experiment, it could be stated that the optimum population densities of maize var. Rhadra' was 41,666 plants ha-1 for the cultivation in the Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka.
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    Effects of Selected Growth Regulators and Botanical Extracts on the Growth and Flowering of Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum L.)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Srikrishnah, S.; Sutharsan, S.
    Anthurium is a popular tropical cut flower in Sri Lanka and mainly cultivated for the export market. There are many factors affecting growth and flowering of Anthurium. Growth regulators have significant effect on growth and flowering of cut flowers such as Anthurium. An experiment was conducted under a shade house to determine the effects of different growth regulators and botanical extracts on the growth and flowering of Anthurium in the Crop Farm, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Five treatments namely,T1: Control, T2: Ethylene (480g El), T3: Gibberellic Acid (100mg L-1), T4: Fruit tonic (5%) and T5: Seaweed (Sargassum crussifolium L.) extract (20%) were used. The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design with five replications. Recommended agronomic practices were followed uniformly for all treatments. Foliar application of growth regulators and botanicals were carried out in two weeks interval during flowering stage. Number of leaves and number of flowers per plant were measured at two weeks interval. Leaf area and plant biomass were measured at the end of the experiment. Analysis of Variance was performed to determine significant difference among treatments (p < 0.05). Results revealed that seaweed extract applied showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher values in the measured parameters than the other treatments. It could be due to the presence of macro and micro nutrients and the growth promoting substances in the Sargassum crussifolium L. seaweed extract. Seaweed extract could also act as a bio stimulant on Anthurium plants and increase growth and flowering. From the findings, it could be concluded that, application of Seaweed (Sargassum crussifolium L.) extract (20%) can be used to increase the growth and flowering in Anthurium.