2021 - Volume 16 Issue 1

Potentila indica (Andr.) nov. (wild strawberry) in Sri Lanka is Restricted to a Small Climatic Envelop Urging Strict Conservation

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Potentila indica (Andr.) nov. (wild strawberry) in Sri Lanka is Restricted to a Small Climatic Envelop Urging Strict Conservation Ranaweera, L.T; Perera, H.A.C.R; Wijesundara, W.W.M.U.K; Rathnayake, R.M.S.K; Wijesundara, W.M.D.A; Senavirathna, H.M.T.N; Senevirathna, R.W.K.M; Weebadde, C.K; Hancock, J.F; Sooriyapathirana, S.D.S.S Purpose : The nomenclature of the wild strawberries inhabited in Sri Lanka is ambiguous. In Sri Lanka, this species is still named Duchesnea indica which needs a revision. Wild strawberries grow well in natural habitats of upcountry in Sri Lanka. Since the commercial strawberry cultivations gain a popularity in upcountry, the studies on wild strawberry is essential for crop improvement and management. Research Method : In the present study, we conducted extensive field sampling followed by a phylogenetic analysis with the DNA barcoding markers ITS and, trnL-F by using a representative sample of wild strawberry plants in Sri Lanka. The distribution of the species was identified using maximum entropy modeling approaches. Findings : Sri Lankan wild strawberry got placed at subtribe: Potentilla, and clade: Reptans and show a shallow divergence with the species Potentilla indica reported. Thus, we reposition the genus of wild strawberries in Sri Lanka from Duchesnea to Potentilla and hereafter name it as P. indica. The niche model analysis predicted a highly restricted distribution of Sri Lankan wild strawberry in Nuwara-Eliya district over an area of 166.36 km2 in the altitude range of 1546 - 2524 m in a small climatic envelop highlighting the need for urgent conservation measures. Research Limitations : The pop-set for available in literature of P. indica is limited for comparison. Extensive studies based on DNA sequencing is needed for further validation. Originality / Value : Taxonomy, narrow distribution, need of conservation, and phylogenetic distance to Fragaria chiloensis, a progenitor species of cultivated strawberry, are defined for Sri Lankan wild strawberries.

Does Intercropping of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.) with Pulse Legumes Improve Soil Fertility, Crop Productivity and Profitability?

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Does Intercropping of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.) with Pulse Legumes Improve Soil Fertility, Crop Productivity and Profitability? Ruangsanka, Samaporn; Sanfan, Sarini; Chaiwong, Utumporn Purpose : Intercropping of baby corn (Zea mays L.) with pulse legumes might improve production efficiency and increase profitability. The objectives of this study were to compare growth, yield and nitrogen uptake of baby corn and pulse legumes in intercropping systems and to determine income from the systems. Research Method : Four treatments consisting of baby corn alone, baby corn with mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek), baby corn with soybean (Glycine max) and baby corn with crawling cowpea (Vigna unquiculata L. Walp) were assigned in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Findings : All intercropping systems reduced growth and yield of baby corn and the income from the legumes could not reimburse for crop loss. Crawling cowpea was the best legume for intercropping system in term of providing better crop residue for succeeding crops. Among three pulse legumes investigated, cowpea had the highest nitrogen uptake, and its residue may be beneficial to succeeding crops. The reasons for reduction in baby corn yield and the alternative means for intercropping to increase income are discussed. Originality : Intercropping system is generally practiced to increase crop production efficiency. In this study, intercropping baby corn with pulse legumes did not increase income for baby corn growers because baby corn had the highest market price and pulse legumes reduced yield of baby corn.

The Effect of Anti-Browning Treatments for Fresh-Cut Guava Slices in Prevention of Browning during Dehydration

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

The Effect of Anti-Browning Treatments for Fresh-Cut Guava Slices in Prevention of Browning during Dehydration Kumara, B.A.M.S; Wijewardane, R.M.N.A; Samarasinghe, Y.M.P Purpose : Guava cultivations are spreading rapidly among Sri Lankan farmers, especially in dry zone. Surplus production is observed in certain months of the year. Dehydration can be used as an effective method to preserve the surplus. During dehydration, browning of guava impairs the quality of the final product. This experiment was carried out to find out the most effective browning inhibitor. Research Method : Four treatments were used prior to dehydration namely, Citric acid (CA), Ascorbic acid (AA), Sodium metabisulfite (SMS) and Blanching for 2 minute in 60 °C (BL) as twenty different combinations. The L*, a* and b* values, were recorded. Colour differences with fresh slices, total colour difference (TCD) and browning index (BI) were calculated. Findings : L*, a* and b* values were significantly different (P<0.05) among treatments. The lowest L* value difference was observed in CA 0.3% with BL (3.18±0.7). Lowest total colour difference and the lowest browning index were observed in blanching treatment followed by CA 0.3% with BL. Whereas the highest TCD was in control sample (21.86 ± 2.75) and the highest BI was in SMS 0.5% with BL (55.38±8.59). Results revealed that out of the treatments under study, BL only and CA 0.3% with BL were the most effective solutions to overcome the browning of guava during dehydration. Originality/ Value : Research findings could be used in guava dehydration industry to preserve the colour and visual quality of the dehydrated products which will increase the consumer acceptability and demand thereby reducing postharvest losses.

Root System Architecture and Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency of Wheat Species

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Root System Architecture and Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency of Wheat Species Fernando, K.M.C; Ehoche, O.G; Atkinson, J.A; Sparkes, D.L Purpose : Plant nitrogen use efficiency can be increased by improving N uptake efficiency (NUpE). Root system architecture of the plant plays a vital role in uptaking water and nutrients including N. The present study was conducted to compare root architectural traits of different wheat species at early seedling development and vegetative growth stage while plant nitrogen uptake at vegetative and mature stages under controlled environment. Research Method : Ten genotypes belong to four wheat species; einkorn, emmer, spelt and modern bread wheat were compared. Growth pouches were used to develop root systems of seedlings and images were analysed by using RootNav software. Root charcteristics and above-graound growth at vegetative growth phase was studied using semihydrophonic system where WinRhizo software was used to analyse root images. Finally, glasshouse pot experiment was conducted to calculate NUpE at maturity. Findings : The highest number of seminal roots, total root length and wider tip angle of seminal root were recorded in emmer. However, total root length was not significantly different from spelt cv. Oberkulmer. Genotypes with narrow and wide tip angles of seminal roots produced deep and shallow seedling root systems, respectively. Positive relationship between root traits and nitrogen uptake at the vegetative growth stage was found. Fertiliser NUpE of ancient wheat species varied significantly among genotypes where emmer recorded the highest value followed by spelt, bread wheat and einkorn. Originality/ Value : Wheat species varied for seedling root system architecture. Emmer had wide and shallow seedling root systems while having high NUpE at maturity. It suggests the importance of a wellspred shallow root system to uptake N fertiliser rapidly before leached down. Further, emmer is an ancient wheat species with an ability to uptake N efficiently which suggests that when bread wheat was selected for high yield, favourable root traits related to NUpE might be neglected. Favourable root traits in emmer related to NUpE could be introduced to bread wheat through the direct crossing or creating synthetic wheat.