EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SALINITY ON GROWTH PERFORMANCES OF SOME SELECTED TREE SPECIES

Tsunami was the worst disaster happened to coastal region of Sri Lanka. Dueto tsunami, salinity levels were increased in affected areas, therefore selectionof salt tolerant tree species are timely important. But the studies conducted onselection of suitable salt tolerant timber species are rather limited. So thisstudy was conducted to select four suitable salt tolerant species in tsunamiaffected areas.Four separate pot experiments were conducted at the faculty of AgricultureUniversity of Ruhuna, Mapalana during mid May to October 2005 to studythe effect of different levels of salinity (0.13, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 mscm -1) ongrowth performances of four selected tree species (Melia azedarach.Artocarpus heterophyllus, Swietenia mahogany, and Accacia mangium). Theexperimental design was RCBD with 10 replicates. Six-month-old seedlingsof each species were used for the experiment. After root establishment,treatments were started. Number of leaves, plant height, were measured twoweeks intervals by non-destructive method, and total fresh weight, totalbiomass yield, number of roots were measured in once a month bydestructive method. Data were statistically analyzed by using ANOV A andmeans were separated by using DMRT.According to the study, Melia asedarach, Swietenia mahogany, Accasiamangium are suitable for tsunami-affected areas. Salinity level tolerance ofMelia azedarach, artocarpus heterophyllus, Swietenia mahogany, and Acaciamangium are 4 ms/cm, 0.13 ms/cm, 8ms/cm, and 12ms /cm respectively.Normal soil salinity level 0.46ms/cm. Levels of salinity 6ms/cm is the bestfor Accasia among the treatments. Level of salinity 2ms/cm is the best for theMelia azedarach among the treatments. Normal salinity level of soil (0.46ms/cm) gives the best performances for Artocarpus heterophyllus andSwietenia mahogany.

Evaluation of different cover crops on vacant areas (pottal) in mature tea plantation

An experiment was conducted at a low country tea plantation in Matara district to Evaluate differentcover crops species for vacant areas. It was conducted during the period of January to June 2006; theselected site was 2nd year after pruning, T.R.I 2025 that was establishing in 1980 and the field with lotof vacant areas.Six cover crop species (Desmodium triflorum, Arachis pintoy, Desmodium heterocarp, Vetiveriazizaniodes. Crotalaria ochroleuca. Cymbopogon nardus) were selected for the experiment. Theexperiment followed a Latin Square Design. Trees planted in vacant areas, with the space of6 inchesfor 1,2,3, spp and 8 inches for 4,5,6 spp. Data were collected one month after the establishmeSoil nitrogen content, pl I, biomass production and soil organic matter content were measured. Weedscount was taken two weeks interval. Survey was conducted to evaluate workers preference level ofthe each cover crop.There was no significant difference within the treatments in soil pH, organic matter % and soil N %,but Vetiver was found to be suitable for acid soil (p>0.05). Organic matter added by D. heterocarpon,D. triflorum was significantly higher than other species. D. heterocarpon and Crotalaria washighly effective in improving the soil N among the legumes. Before the experiment soil C: N was 7:!.D. triflorum improved the soil C: N (10.7: 1) during research periodIn generally workers did not like cover crops. However they preferred legume rather than grasses.60% of the workers selected D. triflorum as their first choice. 26% of the workers selected A.pinloyas their first choice. D. heterocarpon, C. ochroleuca, and C. nardus were selected by only 3%.Workers did not select vetiver as their first choice. Dry matter production of grasses was higher thanthat of legumes. V zizanioides, D. triflorum had approximately similar shoot: root ratiosTreatments effect for weeds population was not significant (p>O.05), but A. pintoy, D. heterocarpwere fast growing and suppressed the weeds than other legumes. It was concluded that workerspreferred four legume species rather than two grasses. A. pin toy. D. heterocarpon, C. nardus canaggressive!y suppress the weeds. D. heterocarpon, D. triflorum were highly improved soil nitrogenand organic matter than other legumes during the research period.

Evaluation of different cover crops on vacant areas (pottal) in mature tea plantation

An experiment was conducted at a low country tea plantation in Matara district to Evaluate differentcover crops species for vacant areas. It was conducted during the period of January to June 2006; theselected site was 2nd year after pruning, T.R.I 2025 that was establishing in 1980 and the field with lotof vacant areas.Six cover crop species (Desmodium triflorum, Arachis pintoy, Desmodium heterocarp, Vetiveriazizaniodes. Crotalaria ochroleuca. Cymbopogon nardus) were selected for the experiment. Theexperiment followed a Latin Square Design. Trees planted in vacant areas, with the space of6 inchesfor 1,2,3, spp and 8 inches for 4,5,6 spp. Data were collected one month after the establishment.Soil nitrogen content, pl I, biomass production and soil organic matter content were measured. Weedscount was taken two weeks interval. Survey was conducted to evaluate workers preference level ofthe each cover crop.There was no significant difference within the treatments in soil pH, organic matter % and soil N %,but Vetiver was found to be suitable for acid soil (p>0.05). Organic matter added by D. heterocarpon,D. triflorum was significantly higher than other species. D. heterocarpon and Crotalaria washighly effective in improving the soil N among the legumes. Before the experiment soil C: N was 7:!.D. triflorum improved the soil C: N (10.7: 1) during research period.In generally workers did not like cover crops. However they preferred legume rather than grasses.60% of the workers selected D. triflorum as their first choice. 26% of the workers selected A.pinloyas their first choice. D. heterocarpon, C. ochroleuca, and C. nardus were selected by only 3%.Workers did not select vetiver as their first choice. Dry matter production of grasses was higher thanthat of legumes. V zizanioides, D. triflorum had approximately similar shoot: root ratios.Treatments effect for weeds population was not significant (p>O.05), but A. pintoy, D. heterocarpwere fast growing and suppressed the weeds than other legumes. It was concluded that workerspreferred four legume species rather than two grasses. A. pin toy. D. heterocarpon, C. nardus canaggressive!y suppress the weeds. D. heterocarpon, D. triflorum were highly improved soil nitrogenand organic matter than other legumes during the research period.

Sustainability of home gardens in Masemulla forest area in Matara district

Home-gardens are meant to be sustainable land use systems that provide a variety of products andservices to the people. This study was undertaken to evaluate the sustainability of home-gardens inMasemulla forest area in Matara district. Ullala, which is a small village closed to Masernulla forestarea, was selected for the study. A survey was conducted using a random sample of 40 home-gardensin the area. Average land area ranged from 0.25 to 0.5 acres with an average family size of 2-8 andalmost all the families belonged to the low income group.Majority of home gardens (90%) consisted of three canopy layers-near the ground surface herbaceouslayer, followed by an intermediate layer of shrubs and a tree layer at the upper level. Tree densityranged from low to medium with a combination of mixed species arranged in a random way. Canopycoverage was about 15 to 50% and there were more than 50% of unutilized land areas. Speciesdiversity in the selected home-gardens was low ranging from 20-25 species and the no of woody taxa was about 5-10. Dominant tree species included jak (Artocarpus heterophvilus [; coconut (Cocosnuciferai, mango (Mangifer a indica), areca nut (Areca catechu), mahogany (Swieteniamacrophvllai etc. Majority of house holders (90%) considered cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) asan additional income source. All the householders consumed the products of the home-gardens asfood.Less than 10% of house-holders rare animals and although there is a good potential for bee keeping,less than I% of householders practiced this. Wild-boar and wild-rat attack was one of the mainproblems in crop production. Soil erosion was also a problem in this area and less than 30% ofhouseholders practiced some form of soi I conservation methods. Half of the householders fu Ifi Iledtheir energy requirement from their home-gardens. Although there are many advantages in homegardening.householders don't pay adequate attention as they don't fully understand the various benefitsof proper home-garden ing

EFFECT OF OIL PALM CULTIVATION ON GROUND WATER TABLE

Oil Palm Elaeis guieensis, occur naturally in western central Africa, They are now beenplanted in many parts of the tropics. It gives much oil per hectare than any other oil crop.Present extent of oil palm in Sri Lanka is more than 2500 ha. It is mainly distributed inGalle, Kalutara and Matara DistrictsMain objectives of the present study was to find out the effect of oil palm cultivation andground water depletion. A field experiment was carried out at Thalgaswala estate in theGalle District in tea, oil palm and bare land situated within close proximity to each other.Experiment was replicated three times covering all elevational differences ie. high slope,mid slope and lowland. The size of each plot was 2 m X 2m.After measuring the initial water levels all experimental plots were fully saturated withwater over a period of seven days. After saturation, water depletion pattern was measureddaily at 7 a.m.Data was collected from three water depletion cycles (Starting from September 2003 toJanuary 2004). In each cycle, regression coefficient was measured (6) for understandingthe water depletion rate using these n values T test was carried out to analyze, significantdifferences between in treatments.Results showed that there was no significant differences (p<O.05) among the treatmentson water depletion during the study period in Thalgaswala estate.

STUDIES ON PROPAGATION METHODS OF KONTHALAUN (Xylocarpus rumphii)

Konthalaun is a rare plant with medicinal and industrial value. Seeds are used for thepreparation of Ayurvedic medicine caddied "Gopaluguliya" used as a treatment for foodpoisoning and snakebites. Since there is only a small population of Konthalaun treesdistributed along the coastal belt of Sri Lanka, multiplication and conservation of thisplant is of paramount importance.Using nineteen mother trees of Konthalaun selected from four sites in the Galled district.This study was conducted at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna and inUnawatuna area in Galle district to develop an efficient propagation method. Threepropagation methods manly stem cuttings, air layering and full mature viable seeds wereused in this study.Seed germination was observed with five treatments.Tl - Soaking in ordinary water (Room T) for 12 hoursT2 - Soaking in hot water for 5 minutes (at 55°qT3 - Peeling the seed coat without damaging the (cotyledents)T4 - Soaking in 15% H2S04 solution for 2 minute and then wash out with distilledwaterTS - Soaking in sea water for 12hoursFor the stem cuttings three types of cuttings were taken and treated withcommercially available homone, (secto) and a control was used (no homones)T 1 - Soft and stem cuttings (3 leaves)T2 - Sproutings (3 leaves)T3 - Hard wood stem cuttings (3 leaves)Hard wood and soft wood branches were air layered. These branches were treated withsecto and those without sccto also severed as the controlSea water treated seeds showed the highest percentage of germination while the lowestgermination percentage was observed in peeled seeds.Three weeks later all the cuttings showed sprouting. But six weeks later all sproutedcuttings in all treatments withered and diedAfter four months all treatments including the control showed root primodia initiationbut the number of root primodia was higher in soft wood than hard wood cuttings.Results showed that seed propagation (seed soaked in sea water) is the easiast method butair layering could also be used as an alternative method.

Behaviour of cattle in an agro-forestry system

Objective of the present study was to understand the behaviour of dairy cattle tethered underagro-forcstry systems. Three genetically uncharacterized, indigenous, non-lactating cows and twobulls (mean live weight 199±29) were tethered close to a water stream in an agro-forestry system.The vegetation of the agro-forestry system comprised of teak, coconut, mahogany and shrubs. Animalshad enough foraging materials around the place they were tethered. One observer was assigned toeach animal. The behaviour of the animals was observed for five hours from 1000 1500 hrs. Themean temperature and the relative humidity of day of the study were 28°C and 79% respectively.Frequency and the duration of the time spent on nine behaviours were recorded. The behaviouralactivities studied were drinking, feeding (ground level and upper level), lying, standing, walking,urination, defecation, vocal ization and interactions (cattle-cattle and cattle-other an irnals ). Feedingwas the most prominent behaviour of the animals. The time spent on feeding and the frequency offeeding during the 300 minutes study period were 252 min and 23, respectively and thus the feedingbehaviour accounted for 84% of the total time budget. The frequency (15) and the time spent onground level grazing (234 min) were significantly higher (p<O.OOI) than the frequencies and the timespent on upper level feeding. Though not statistically significant, animals spent more time on standing(18.9min or 6.3% of the total time) than on Laying (14.6 min or 5% of the total time). The frequencyof standing (5) was also significantly (p<O.OO I) higher than that oflying (I). May be due to tethering,cattle spent less time (8.3 minutes or 2.7% of the total time) on walking. The frequency of drinking(2) and the time spent on drinking were (3 min or 1% of the total time) unexpectedly low. Cattledefecated and urinated twice during the five- hour study period. Vocalization was the least prominentbehavioural activity. It is concluded that cattle highly engage with feeding particularly, on groundlevel when they are tethered under agro-forestry systems. Further researches are needed to determineas to why the drinking behaviour is suppressed when tethered in agro-forestry systems

Behaviour of cattle in an agro-forestry system

Objective of the present study was to understand the behaviour of dairy cattle tethered underagro-forcstry systems. Three genetically uncharacterized, indigenous, non-lactating cows and twobulls (mean live weight 199±29) were tethered close to a water stream in an agro-forestry system.The vegetation of the agro-forestry system comprised of teak, coconut, mahogany and shrubs. Animalshad enough foraging materials around the place they were tethered. One observer was assigned toeach animal. The behaviour of the animals was observed for five hours from 1000 1500 hrs. Themean temperature and the relative humidity of day of the study were 28°C and 79% respectively.Frequency and the duration of the time spent on nine behaviours were recorded. The behaviouralactivities studied were drinking, feeding (ground level and upper level), lying, standing, walking,urination, defecation, vocal ization and interactions (cattle-cattle and cattle-other an irnals ). Feedingwas the most prominent behaviour of the animals. The time spent on feeding and the frequency offeeding during the 300 minutes study period were 252 min and 23, respectively and thus the feedingbehaviour accounted for 84% of the total time budget. The frequency (15) and the time spent onground level grazing (234 min) were significantly higher (p<O.OOI) than the frequencies and the timespent on upper level feeding. Though not statistically significant, animals spent more time on standing(18.9min or 6.3% of the total time) than on Laying (14.6 min or 5% of the total time). The frequencyof standing (5) was also significantly (p<O.OO I) higher than that oflying (I). May be due to tethering,cattle spent less time (8.3 minutes or 2.7% of the total time) on walking. The frequency of drinking(2) and the time spent on drinking were (3 min or 1% of the total time) unexpectedly low. Cattledefecated and urinated twice during the five- hour study period. Vocalization was the least prominentbehavioural activity. It is concluded that cattle highly engage with feeding particularly, on groundlevel when they are tethered under agro-forestry systems. Further researches are needed to determineas to why the drinking behaviour is suppressed when tethered in agro-forestry systems