Faculty of Agriculture

Assessment of Colletotrichum capsici and C. gloeosporioides Resistance among Chilli Accessions Available in Sri Lanka

2025-10-10T04:34:12Z

Assessment of Colletotrichum capsici and C. gloeosporioides Resistance among Chilli Accessions Available in Sri Lanka Kumari, K.A.S.I.; Senanayake, D.M.J.B.; Dhammika, W.A.R.; Fernando, W.M.K.; Wijerathne, W.M.S.B.K.; Dasanayake, P.J.K.; Nanayakkara, C.M.; Balasuriya, A. Anthracnose is one of the most destructive fungal diseases in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.), which affects the seed production and post-harvest quality of the product. There are no reports available on the resistance levels of chilli varieties to anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out to find sources of resistant for anthracnose in locally available chilli accessions. One isolate from each, C. capsici and C. gloeosporioides species were selected for the study. Ripened chilli pods of twenty-one chilli accessions were screened against both Colletotrichum spp. (droplet of spore suspension-105 spores/ml) separately under in-vitro conditions (28 ̊C-temperature, 100%-RH) during Maha 2016/17 with three replicates. The results showed that the disease reaction of C. capsici and C. gloeosporioides isolates on different chilli accessions were not significantly different from each other (p>0.23). However, a significant difference (p < 0.0001) in Disease Severity Index (DSI) for anthracnose among chilli accessions was observed for both isolates. The highest DSI value of 79.47 for both C. capsici and C. gloeosporioides isolates, respectively. DSIs of Jaffna Purple for both Colletotrichum spp. were significantly different from the DSIs of the other accessions. The lowest DSI values were observed in MI Hot (19.47 and 19.47), Hen miris (24.73 and 24.73) and Galkiriyagama selection (23.21 and 27.03) for C. capsici and C. gloeosporioides, respectively; which, also grouped together. According to the results, MI Hot, Galkiriyagama selection and Hen miris showing lower DSI values can become sources for developing anthracnose resistant/ tolerant chilli lines.

Design and Development of a Two-Wheel Tractor Coupled Bund Plastering and Canal (Kiwul-Ela) Making Equipment

2025-10-10T03:39:34Z

Design and Development of a Two-Wheel Tractor Coupled Bund Plastering and Canal (Kiwul-Ela) Making Equipment Sandaruwan, E.A.A.; Weerasooriya, G.V.T.V.; Fernando, A.J. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the staple food and major crop in Sri Lanka. Improving rice cropping practices and production systems are required to enable sustainability. Presently bund cleaning, plastering, and kiwul-ela construction are done manually and there is no proper mechanical solution. Thus, this study was aimed to design and develop an appropriate bund plastering and kiwul-ela making equipment as a rear attachment to a walking type two-wheel tractor. The main components of the equipment are bund cleaner, bund plaster, kiwul-ela maker, depth controller, and main frame. The field condition of the test land was measured, and the bulk density and moisture content were 1.14 gcm-3 and 14.81% respectively. The prototype showed significantly higher comparative performances; 93.93% of time saving and 64.4% of cost reduction over the manual method (p<0.05). Further, it showed highly satisfactory field performances; such as 2.045 kmh-1 operational speed (second gear), 0.032 ± 0.002 m plastering thickness, and 0.21 ± 0.02 m height, 52.054 x 10-3 hah-1 theoretical field capacity and 63.6% field efficiency. Due to the higher performance of this bund cleaning, plastering and kiwul-ela making equipment, the equipment could be suggested over manual method for small scale paddy farmers. The efficiency of the bund plastering could be further increased by increasing plastering height of the moldboard.

Soil Characteristics of Cassava Growing Ferralsols and Ferruginous Soils in Kwara State, Nigeria

2025-10-10T04:59:14Z

Soil Characteristics of Cassava Growing Ferralsols and Ferruginous Soils in Kwara State, Nigeria Oriola, E.O.; Babatunde, O.R.; Salami, A.A. Population pressure on land has led to reduced fallow periods, more intensive land- use and increasing problems of soil infertility in Kwara State, Nigeria. As a result, depletion of soil fertility is a serious issue due to little or no external addition of plant nutrients to the soil. Present study was conducted to examine the variation in cassava yield on ferralsols and ferruginous soils in Kwara State, Nigeria. Primary and secondary data were used in this study. Stratified sampling technique using quadrats was used to collect soil samples. The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. Results showed that organic matter content, nitrogen, cation exchange capacity and available phosphorus were higher in ferruginous soils than ferralsols. The results of the t-test indicated that the clay content between two soils (p>0.036) was significantly different in top soils and but not significantly different (p>0.233) in sub soils. While the silt content between two soil indicated a highly significant difference (p>0.028) for both topsoil and (p>0.001) subsoil, the sand content indicated no significant difference (p<0.734) for topsoil and (p>0.674) subsoil. The study was limited to soil characteristics under ferralsols and ferruginous in Kwara State, Nigeria. It is suggested to conduct a study on soils properties with a view to identifying areas that could be better managed to improve the productivity of crops.

Homegardening for Food Security and Income Generation of War Affected Women-headed Families: A Case Study in Cheddikulam, Northern Province of Sri Lanka

2025-10-10T03:34:13Z

Homegardening for Food Security and Income Generation of War Affected Women-headed Families: A Case Study in Cheddikulam, Northern Province of Sri Lanka Senarathna, S.A.S.R.; Ginigaddara, G.A.S.; Kodithuwakku, A.N.; Vimaladhas, V. The most fundamental social benefit of homegardening (HG) is its direct contributions to rural livelihood development. HG was introduced in the post-war era as a sustainable approach to ensure food security and income generation for unemployed women-headed families in Cheddikulam Divisional Secretarial (DS) division, of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka to mitigate the effects occurred due to lasted civil war in the area. A limited number of studies has been conducted to evaluate the role of homegardening on income generation while ensuring the food security of the selected households. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the role of HG on income generation and food security level of women-headed families in Cheddikulam. Hundred (100) home-gardening and 30 non-home gardening women-headed families in the DS division were randomly selected. Primary data were collected through pre-tested questionnaire, key person interviews and, focus group discussions from January to end of February 2019. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results revealed that women-headed families earn an average monthly income of Rs. 4783.00 from homegardening, which is contributing 24% to their average monthly household income of Rs.20000.00. Average monthly household income of non-home gardeners is Rs.17000.00. Further, household dietary diversity score (HDDS) elicited a significant difference (p= 0.047) between the two groups as it was 7.31 for homegardeners, while 6.46 for non-home gardeners. Sixty-six percent (66%) of homegardeners and 47% non-home gardening families were characterized as a food secured (HDDS>6.5). Results conclude that homegardening plays a greater role in ensuring the food security and income generation of women-headed families in Cheddikulam area. Thus, introducing homegardening practice with a proper and continuous monitoring program to other potential rural localities would be a worthy investment for ensuring food and income security of rural livelihoods in Sri Lanka.