Volume:4, Issue:1 - 2022

The variation of abundance and fruit damage of Bactrocera dorsalis on two commercial varieties of Mangifera indica in main Bio-climatic Zones of Sri Lanka

2025-10-10T05:08:58Z

The variation of abundance and fruit damage of Bactrocera dorsalis on two commercial varieties of Mangifera indica in main Bio-climatic Zones of Sri Lanka Wijekoon, W.M.C.D.; Ganehiarachchi, G.A.S.M.; Wegiriya, H.C.E.; Vidanage, S.P. Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel, (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the serious fruit pests in South Asia. In Sri Lanka, there are dearth of past studies on the abundance and infestations of B. dorsalis on commercially important fruit varieties. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the abundance of B. dorsalis adults and their infestation levels on Willard (Wld) and Karthakolomban (Kc) mango varieties grown in main bio-climatic zones of Sri Lanka. The study was conducted from September 2020 to February 2021 in eight study sites of four main bio-climatic zones. In every month, flies were collected from field traps. Infested fruits were also collected from study sites and fruit fly infestation levels and adult emergence were studied in the laboratory. The highest percentage of average infestation (Wld: P>0.05; Kc, P<0.05) and the highest mean value for the adult emergence for both mango varieties were recorded in the intermediate zone. The adult emergence for Kc was higher than the Wld in all study sites and it was significantly different between two mango varieties (P<0.05). The highest number of B. dorsalis were collected from traps in the intermediate zone (Wld: P<0.05; Kc, P>0.05). The infestation percentages, adult emergence, and the abundance of caught flies increased significantly during the study period for both Wld and Kc (P<0.05). The abundance of trapped flies was significantly varied between mango varieties (P<0.05) and positively correlated with the fruit infestation (Wld: r= 0.69; P<0.05 and Kc: r= 0.61; P<0.05). Trap collections for Kc in the intermediate zone showed a significant positive correlation with the rainfall (r= -0.90; P<0.05). The result of the present study can provide baseline information for the B. dorsalis infestation on two commercial mango varieties and the knowledge on their abundance in different bio climatic zones will be helpful to refurbish current pest management strategies.

Bio-pesticides for the Control of Two–spotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, in Strawberry Cultivations

2025-10-10T03:13:17Z

Bio-pesticides for the Control of Two–spotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, in Strawberry Cultivations Perera, M.T.M.D.R.; Senanayke, N.; Perera, Chamika Strawberry is cultivated in polytunnels and open field cultivations in Nuwara Eliya district. Recently, a severe infestation of the Two Spotted Spider Mite (TSSM) in strawberry was reported and the farmers observed Department of Agriculture (DOA) recommended insecticide Abamectin was ineffective. Therefore, two Biopesticides; M-Impact and Hort-Impact were tested in three locations of Jagro Farms Ltd, Nuwara Eliya to control TSSM. Two rates of Bio-pesticides were tested in nursery, vegetative and fruiting stages in a randomized complete block design. Results showed that the average percentage mortality of TSSM at day after each application of Hort-Impact was 95.4 for both concentrations. M-Impact resulted an average mortality of 98.7% and 97.9% for 1.0 mLL-1 and 0.5 mLL-1, concentrations respectively during the vegetative stage at Meepilimana. However, at Radella, during the nursery stage, average mortalities were 98.4% and 98.3% for 1.0 mLL-1 concentration and 95.8% and 97.7% for 0.5 mLL-1 concentration for Hort-impact and M-impact, respectively. The DOA recommended insecticide Abamectin at 1.0 mLL-1 concentration resulted a mean TSSM count >200 at the end of the experiment and was significantly higher than Hort-Impact and M-Impact treatments. The TSSM counts were 52 and 45 and 80 and 36 for concentrations 1.0 mLL-1 and 0.5 mLL-1 respectively at Meepilimana and a similar trend was observed at Radella. It is therefore concluded that both Bio-pesticides at both concentrations were effective in controlling TSSM in strawberry. However, M-Impact cannot be used at fruiting stage as it imparts a bitter taste for the fruits at Welimada site.

Development of a Herbal Tea with Potential Antiglycation Effects using Phyllanthus emblica (Indian Gooseberry), Zingiber officinale (Ginger), and Coriander sativum (Coriander)

2025-10-10T03:55:21Z

Development of a Herbal Tea with Potential Antiglycation Effects using Phyllanthus emblica (Indian Gooseberry), Zingiber officinale (Ginger), and Coriander sativum (Coriander) Priyadarshana, P.H.M.G.C.; Jayasinghe, J.A.V.R.; Perera, H.K.I.; Udari, A.H.G.S. The study was conducted to investigate the capability of developing a herbal tea using Phyllanthus emblica (PE) fruit, Zingiber officinale (ZO) rhizome, and Coriander sativum (CS) seeds and to assess its anti-glycation effects. Phyllanthus emblica, ZO, and CS are common and individually used materials in traditional medicine in Sri Lanka. No evidence is found in using combinations of these plant materials being used in commercial tea / herbal infusion production in Sri Lanka. The herbal tea was formulated with powdered form of PE fruits, ZO rhizome and CS seeds in three different formulations; PE-50% + ZO-25% + CS-25%; PE-25% + ZO-50% + CS-25%; and PE-25% + ZO-25% + CS-50%. The three formulated teas were subjected to a five-point hedonic scale sensory evaluation. The formula with PE fruits 50%, ZO rhizome 25%, and CS seeds 25% was selected for further analysis. The phytochemicals of the selected formulation were analyzed, and the results bared the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, and tannins, which ensures a high antioxidant quality of the formulated tea. The tested parameter for the shelf-life determination study concluded that the product is shelf-stable for 14 days under 0 °C temperature. An in vitro assay using Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis was used to test the antiglycation effects. Results showed that the herbal tea was able to inhibit glycation-induced protein cross-linking over prolonged incubation periods with strong glycating conditions. Therefore, this product could also have a potential to be used as a home remedy to prevent diabetic complications

Significance of Financial and Non-financial Incentives in Shaping Employee Motivation in Tea Industry: A Sri Lankan Case Study

2025-10-10T04:12:14Z

Significance of Financial and Non-financial Incentives in Shaping Employee Motivation in Tea Industry: A Sri Lankan Case Study Lakmali, M.G.T.; Samaraweera, G.C.; Harshana, P.V.S. The Sri Lankan tea sector is experiencing a considerable decline in the labor force, as many workers are moving away from tea plantations. Incentives are one of the prime factors in reducing labor turnover. However, the role of incentives in employee motivation in the tea sector is questionable. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to identify the role of financial and non-financial incentives in motivating employees in the tea sector in Sri Lanka. Data were collected using pretested structured questionnaires from all tea factory workers (N=60) in Morapitiya Tea Factory, Sri Lanka. In the data analysis, Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test results revealed that bonuses (Z=7.29), over-time payments (Z=7.21), EPF/ETF payments (Z=6.82), job security (Z=7.04), recognition (Z=6.65), positive working environment (Z=6.6) as well as promotion and career growth (Z=6.55) have significant impact (P<0.05 level) on employee motivation in Sri Lankan tea sector. Preference ranking revealed that tea sector employees prefer financial incentives (83%) more than non-financial incentives. Female employees preferred recognition as a motivation tool more than their male counterparts (Mean=3.28; P =0.003). Employees who worked more than 10 years within the factory prefer more non-financial incentives (Mean=1.54; P =0.022) than employees who worked less than 10 years and their preference for career growth (Mean=2.598; P =0.000) was higher than employees who have worked less than 10 years. The findings of the present study signify the orientation of workers towards incentives, which can be used as a basis for enhancing labour productivity in tea sector.