Browsing by Author "Wijesingha, W.A.H.M."

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    Investigating the Association of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (Vam) with Commelina Benghaensis Weed Species in Tea Lands
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2015) Wijesingha, W.A.H.M.
    A study was conducted to investigate an association between Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) and Commelina benghalensis, which is an aggressive weed infesting tea cultivations. A field experiment was carried out at a Wewessa estate, Badulla consisted of 4 treatments, i.e. tea alone (weed free), tea infested with C. benghalensis slashed at 3 and 6 weeks interval and no weeding for 3 months. Soil Phosphorus was analyzed and tea yield was measured. VAM spore count and root colonization percentage were calculated three months after imposition of treatments. Slashed dry weights of C. benghalensis were measured. There were significant differences in root colonization percentage and spore counts between treatments. A higher level of P was recorded with Commelina when slashed at 3 weeks interval compared to weed free and no weeding treatments for 3 months. There is no any significant difference in tea yield between treatments. The study concluded that there is close association between VAM and C. benghalensis thereby availability of soil Phosphorus. This association has favorably affected on tea growth. Keywords: Commelina benghalensis, Root colonization, Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM), VAM spores
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    Investigating the Association of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) with Commelina benghalensis Weed Species in Tea Lands
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Wijesingha, W.A.H.M.; Prematilake, K.G.; Silva, P.D.P.M.D.
    A study was conducted to investigate the association of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) with Commelina benghalensis (Girapala), which is an aggressive weed infesting in tea cultivations. A field experiment was carried out at Wewessa estate, Badulla from September to December 2019. Four treatments i.e. Tea infested with C. benghalensis slashed at 3 weeks interval, Tea infested with C. benghalensis slashed at 6 weeks interval and Tea with no weeding for 3 months and tea alone (weed-free), were included. VAM spore count and root colonization percentages were calculated at 6-week intervals. Soil Phosphorus was analyzed and tea yield was measured. VAM spore count and root colonization percentage were significantly (p<0.05) higher in two treatments with C. benghalensis compared to those of no weeding treatment. Spore counts were recorded as 190, 200 spores/100g of soil in the treatments of which C. benghalensis was slashed at 3 and 6 weeks interval, against 120 in no weeding treatment. Root colonization was also reported as 56.7%, 60%, 39.4% in tea infested with C. benghalensis slashed at 3 and 6 weeks interval, and no weeding treatments, respectively. Significantly higher levels of soil Phosphorus (241 ppm and 237 ppm) were also reported from two treatments of C. benghalensis slashed at 6 and 3 weeks intervals compared to no weeding (230 ppm) treatment at the end of 3 months. There was no significant difference in tea yield between treatments. The study concluded that there is an association of VAM with C. benghalensis and P solubilization is taken place with VAM colonization in the rhizosphere of C. benghalensis. VAM association with C. benghalensis weed has thus been favorably affected on tea growth. Keywords: Aeroponics, Growth, Yield, Potato mini-tubers, Quality, Root pruning