http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/7514 2026-04-29T01:22:48Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/8008 INFLUENCE OF MYCORRHIZAE AND INORGANIC FERTILIZ ER ON PLANT GROWTH AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF TWO SRI LANKAN TRADITIONAL RICE ACCESSIONS (Oryza sativa L) Nilanthi, Dahanayake; Alawathugoda, C.J. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the influence of mycorrhizae as a substitute for inorganic fertilizer on growth and yield of two traditional rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties namely,“Bathkiriel” and “Sinnanayam”, and on soil microbial activity. The experiment was conducted in pots (30cmx 30cmx 45 cm) filled with paddy soil treated separatelywith four doses of inorganic fertilizers,i.e. the recommended dose of basal ferti lizer UREA:TSP:MOPat 50:62.5:50kg/ha and top dressing Ureaat87.5kg/ha,½ and ¼ of the recommend doses of inorganic fertilizers, and no inorganic fertilizer. In addition commercially available mycorrhizae (diluted at2g of mycorrhizae mixture /5L water) was added to all pots except those received the total dose of inorganic fertilizers. The above four treatments were replicated four times in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four repli cates. The experiment revealed that there was no significant difference in all growth parameters in plants treated with recommended dose and those treated with 1/2 of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer with standard dose of mycorrhizae. The highest soil microbial activity was recorded in soil treated with standard dose of mycor rhizae without inorganic fertilizer (5,660 CO2mgkg-1 of soil)as compared to those treated only with inorganic ferti lizer (4,662 CO2 mgkg-1 of soil). Mycorrhizaefound to increase soil microbial activity significantly and complemen tary to inorganic fertilizer.Itwas concluded that 1/2 of the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer with standard dose of mycorrhizae was the best fertilizer mixture out of the tested mixtures for traditional rice varieties “Bathkiriel” and “Sinnanayam”. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/8006 ASSESSMENT OF ENTERPRENEURIAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG TEA SMALL HOLDERS IN LOW COUNTRY SRI LANKA Rajakaruna, K.S.S.; De Silva, N.; Shaymalie, H.W.; Jayasinghe, A.D. Over the years Sri Lanka has gained profound popularity for its world renowned ‘Ceylon Tea’. Being one of the major plantation crops in Sri Lanka, tea industry plays a vital role in the Sri Lankan economy. Interestingly, tea small holding sector leads the industry by contributing 73% to the total tea production in the country out of which low country tea small holders own 82% of the production. Considering the importance of the tea small holders, this study mainly focuses on assessing the entrepreneurial behaviour and identifying the factors which determined the entrepreneurial behavior of tea small holders in low country. The study was conducted at Kottawa tea inspector’s division in Galle district. Randomly selected 60 tea small holders were interviewed using a pretest ed questionnaire. Entrepreneurial Behavioral Index (EBI) was constructed using the eleven attributes of entre preneurial behaviour. Results revealed that the overall entrepreneurial behaviour of the tea small holders posted a value of 76.62. Among all the attributes, achievement motivation, farming knowledge and self-confidence were revealed as higher level entrepreneurial behaviour attributes. Rest of them such as innovativeness, management orientation, decision making, utilize available assistance, risk taking, leadership ability, coordination and cosmop oliteness have designated a medium level entrepreneurial attributes. Education level, family support, utilization of information sources and the number of trainings received were identified as the key determinants which has im pacted significantly and positively on entrepreneurial behaviour. Finally this study recommends introducing the entrepreneurship development training programs to achieve the medium level components to highest level. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/7990 Farmers’ Knowledge and Attitudes on Pesticide Usage in Vegetable Cultivation in Sri Lanka Nishantha, K.M.D.W.P.; Sandika, A.L.; Babu, A.G.C.; Hettiarachchi, H.A.S.N.; Pushpanjali, K.; Abey tilakeratna, P.D.; Nugaliyadde, M.M. A farmer survey was conducted in four major vegetable growing districts; Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya to identify the sensitivity of vegetable growers on the impacts of synthetic pesticides used in vegetable culti vation and the problems faced by them in maintaining pest- and disease- free crops for maximum economic bene fits. The key factors involved in farmers’ decision making in selecting pesticides were the product quality, farmer experience, availability and reputation than the price, product novelty and influence of the dealer and the peers. More farmers indicated that some Organophosphates, Carbamates, Pyrethroids and fungicides are more effective in controlling insect pests and diseases. A majority of farmers reported that the new-hybrids which are sensitive to insect pests and diseases as a drawback in minimizing agrochemical usage. The survey revealed that the prod uct quality, farmers’ experience, availability of the product, company reputation, income, and price are influ enced for decision making. Hence suggested cohesive research and development programs to develop non pesticide dependant crop management practices; efficient pesticide application techniques that help minimize to pesticide requirement; establishment of surveillance system and implementing policies to regular monitoring of pesticide residues in vegetables. We emphasize that excessive use of pesticides is an economical and behavioural “lock in’ aspect that require multi-dimensional approach to find a solution to this issue. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/7989 APPLICATION OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) FOR SITE SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT OF PADDY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS A CASE STUDY IN KAMBURUPITIYA DIVISIONAL SECRETARIAT (DS), SRI LANKA Kahandage, P.D.; Rupasinghe, C.P.; Gunasena, C. Geographic Information System (GIS) has been known as a powerful tool to analyze spatial data and this technol ogy is recently applied to agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. This study aimed to apply the GIS technology to man age information in efficient way to develop the paddy sector under Kamburupitiya Divisional Secretariat (DS), Sri Lanka. An extensive field survey was conducted to collect 77 soil samples at a depth of 5-20 cm and GPS locations were recorded for each sample. The information related to Machineries used in Paddy production was collected by a survey using a questionnaire. Yield data were collected from Agrarian Services Centers. The pH meter, Walkley & Black rapid titration method and Kjeldhal method were used to determine soil pH, organic carbon and soil nitrogen content respectively. ArcView GIS 3.3 software was used for the spatial analysis and mapping. Results of the study revealed that land areas with suitable pH and soil organic carbon are 3936.96ha and 791.99ha respectively. Soil Nitrogen content was very low. The yield per unit area vary from 1,111.3 to 4,769kg/ha/year. There are considerable usages of machineries for rice cultivation including two wheel tractors, four wheel trac tor 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z