http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/635 2026-04-28T08:10:07Z 2026-04-28T08:10:07Z Lakmini, W.G.D Nainanayake, N.P.A.D De Costa, W.A.J.M http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/840 2021-01-08T04:43:20Z 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z

BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES OF FOUR DIFFERENT COCONUT (Cocos nusifera L.) FORMS UNDER MOISTURE STRESS CONDITIONS Lakmini, W.G.D; Nainanayake, N.P.A.D; De Costa, W.A.J.M Drought causes a substantial reduction in national yield of coconut and also a loss of coconut palms in severe droughts thus resulting in serious economic consequences to the coconut industry in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is of prime importance to identify some putative drought tolerant forms to use in drought-prone areas. As the long generation and maturation periods of coconut restrict the selection of coconut forms based on yield, the knowledge on physiological and biochemical responses to water deficit conditions plays an important role in developing a rapid selection criterion. Therefore, the objectives of this research was to quantify the variations in drought tolerance in selected coconut forms, based on their biochemical responses to progressive soil moisture deficits in the field. Four coconut forms (Clovis, Dwarf Green, Dwarf Brown, Cameron Red Dwarf) were selected for the experiment. Palms were subjected to 80-day natural drought experienced in early 2005. Biochemicals namely leaf proline, total soluble sugar and starch contents were studied during the drought period along with the corresponding soil moisture contents at 50 and 100 cm depths. They showed slightly increasing trends with progressive water stress but not significantly different in between four forms. However, duration of natural drought that occurred during the experimental period was shorter than the dry spells which are commonly observed in the area. Therefore, further research under long dry spells is needed to reach a more comprehensive and repeatable results before coming to a final conclusion.

2006-01-01T00:00:00Z Rajapakse, R. G. A. S Edirimanna, E. R. S. P Kahawatta, J http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/834 2021-01-08T04:38:06Z 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z

MANAGEMENT OF POWDERY MILDEW DISEASE OF RAMBUTAN (Nephelium lappaceum L.) IN SRI LANKA Rajapakse, R. G. A. S; Edirimanna, E. R. S. P; Kahawatta, J Powdery mildew disease is the most destructive disease of rambutan in Sri Lanka, which seriously threatens quality fruit production. Therefore, studies were conducted to identify the causal agent, cross infection potential of pathogen with other crops, resistant/tolerant germplasm and safer chemicals for management of powdery mildew of rambutan. Pathogen of powdery mildew of rambutan was identified as Oidium nephelii. Pathogen did not show infection on leaves of rubber, mango, durian and orange which are potential hosts for Oidium species. All germplasm including recommended varieties were susceptible to the disease. Therefore, studies were directed to identify safer chemicals to control the disease. Spraying of wettable sulphur (5g/l.) at young foliage stage, at flowering, just after fruit setting and 3 weeks after fruit setting on to the plants completely controlled mildew disease of rambutan.

2006-01-01T00:00:00Z Mahaliyanaarachchi, R P Wijeratne, A W Bandara, R M A S http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/831 2021-01-08T04:35:30Z 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z

DEVELOPING AN ATTITUDINAL SCALE TO MEASURE THE ATTITUDES OF THE FARMERS TOWARDS COMMERCIALIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION Mahaliyanaarachchi, R P; Wijeratne, A W; Bandara, R M A S Agricultural Extension is one of the major sub sectors of the agricultural sector which has been given major concern by governments, international funding agencies such as FAO, IFAD, ADB and World Bank and other donor agencies mainly due to high cost incurred in agricultural extension programs. In the mean time most of the governments both in the developing and developed world has been pruning funds for the extension services since 1990s. The situation of the public extension service has been deteriorating due to this reason. Therefore the structural and financial adjustments in the extension system have been demanded. In this climate the experts in the extension field have identified privatisation and commercialisation of agricultural extension as an important alternative. Before implementing commercialisation approach, it is necessary to know the attitudes of the farmers who are the major participants in agricultural production and development towards commercialisation of agricultural extension. Measuring attitudes as a psychological natural tendency provides a basis for planning and also affects desirable changes in the existing system. The prime objective of this study was to develop a scale to measure the attitudes of the farmers towards commercialisation of agricultural extension. Attitude towards commercialisation of agricultural extension service (CAES) refers to the “individual’s degree of willingness or unwillingness towards commercialisation of agricultural extension service.” Initially 41 statements were developed and out of these only 30 statements were identified as reliable statements. Out of 30 statements remained after validity test, 19 are identified as positive statements and 11 are as negative.

2006-01-01T00:00:00Z Esham, M Usami, K http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/828 2021-01-08T04:31:53Z 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z

PROCUREMENT BEHAVIOR OF THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE INDUSTRY IN SRI LANKA Esham, M; Usami, K The fruit and vegetable industry is considered to have the potential to develop backward linkages towards small farmers and so accelerate crop diversification in the paddy dominated non-plantation agriculture in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it may be instrumental to have some understanding of the type of backward linkages used by the industry to procure raw materials, the associated constraints and the industry’s perception of small farmers as suppliers. This study utilized data collected from ten fruit and vegetable processors, seven exporters and one of the largest supermarket chains in Sri Lanka. Spot markets, contract suppliers and contract farmers were the three major procurement channels of the fruit and vegetable industry. The industry considered contract farmers as a reliable source of raw material supply. Moreover, the industry had a positive perception of small farmers’ ability to be contract-farming partners to supply industry requirements. However, lack of proper organization models to organize small farmers was seen as a major constraint resulting in high cost of establishing and managing linkages with small farmers.

2006-01-01T00:00:00Z