Browsing by Author "UDAGEDARA, U.M.C.S."

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    EFFECT OF USING BIOFILMED BIOFERTLIZER TO CONTROL THE TIP BURNING AND LEAF SPOT DISEASES OF Dracaena sanderiana AND Cordyline fruticosa
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2015) UDAGEDARA, U.M.C.S.
    Foliage plant industry is an important sector in Sri Lanka as it earns 90% out of total floriculture industry. Draceana sanderiana and Cordyline fruticosa has a high demand among the cut foliages. Due to its perishable nature it is highly susceptible to pest and pathogens which causes loss of appearance and thereby reduce the ornamental value of the plants. Tip burning, leaf spots, Fusarium stem and root rot are some of the major diseases in these plants. High amount of fertilizer and agro chemicals are used to improve the growth of the plants and to control the pest and disease problems respectively. It is an extra cost in floriculture sector and cause to reduce the quality of the products. Biofilmed Biofertilizer (BFBF) is a cost effective, environmentally friendly and growth promoting bio-fertilizer type. Most importantly it suppresses the fungal pathogens and acts as a biological control agent. The research was conducted to identify the possibility of using of BFBF to control the tip burning and leaf spots diseases of D. sanderiana "white", D. sanderiana "gold" and Cordyline fruticosa. Five treatments were used namely BFBF alone, only full strength chemical fertilizer alone, half strength chemical fertilizer only, BFBF with half strength chemical fertilizer and distilled water as control. According to the overall result BFBF with half strength chemical fertilizer was more effective in controlling the diseases of Dracaena sanderiana and Cordline fruticosa while promoting better growth. Key Word: Dracaena sanderiana, Cordyline fruticosa, Biofilmed Biofertilizer, Tip Burning, Leaf Spots, Fusarium spp