TRADITIONAL TREE AND SHRUB FODDERS FOR LIVESTOCK FARMING IN SRI LANKA

A vast array of natural trees and shrubs are traditionally being used by livestock farmersdetermining the usefulness of them through their experience are traditionally using shrubs.These plants may be represented in writings over thousands years ago as fodder trees in Sri-Lankan traditional livestock farming systems. These range from short structure shrubs throughlarge trees which can grow to a height of 30m.Botanically they come under several plantfamilies and basically categorized 15 leguminous and non leguminous tree fodders and bothcategories are equally Important as foragesPremier reviews of the natural fodder trees and shrubs have been carried out in Sri Lanka byseveral investigators under several institutions. 'Those studies were mainly composed to regionalsurveys, laboratory analysis on the composition and adverse factors and simple feedingexperiments.Studies revealed that the most of tree and shrub leaves are rich in CP, Ca, Mg, and average in Pand S, low in Na and trace in Cu and Zn. The average Crude Protein (CP), Neutral DetergentFiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ACF), Lignin, Cellulose and Total ash vary from 9.0 to28.1%,33.3 to 54.0%, 18.37 to 50.08%, 4.7 to 22.0%, 11.5to 24.8 and 4.6 to 14.7 respectively.There is a high variation in DCP (5.5 to 19.8%) and TDN (36.3 to 83.4%). In most of thespecies, In-vitro Organic matter Digestibility (IVOMD) value is between 45 to 55% while fewspecies show a value more than 55%,and less than 45% .In a nitrogen balance study, all the treefodder tested was able to maintain a positive nitrogen balance. Some natural tree fodder containsanti quality substances. Tannins are most popular substances, which occur in some tree leaves.Farmers currently overcome this problem by feeding mixtures of fodders, feeding in later stagersthat tannins are low in content and wilting or sun dryingLittle effort had been made to study and obtain information including production andconsumption under the natural habitats and their feeding limitations. Therefore increasedattention needs to given those as a team approach with all relevant institution

INVASIVE MICRO FLORA AND FAUNA IN MAHAVELIWILDLIFE REGION

Invasive flora and fauna have been reported to spread rapidly threatening the biodiversity andeconomic value of natural and agricultural ecosystems in Sri Lanka, Mahaweli Wildlife Regionthat covers about 200,000 ha of land (protected areas as national parks, nature reserves andsanctuaries) in the dry zone has alsc affected by these flora and fauna, A preliminary survey wasconducted in Maduruoya, Minneriya, Wasgomuwa, Flood plain and Somawathiya nationalparks, Riverine and Minneriya/Girithale nature reserves and Polonnaruwa sanctuary to identifythe commonly listed invasive macro flora and fauna by the World Conservation Union (IUCN),Sri Lanka and their distribution in the region through field observation and personalcommunication,The results revealed that there WGIC 6 species of fauna (Tank fish-Hypostomus plecostomus,Thilapia-Sarotherodon mossambicus, Gient African snail-Achatinafulica, House rat-Ratus ratusand Feral buffalo-Buba/us bubalus, Snake skin gouramy - Trichogaster pactoralis ,Trichogaster pectotalis) and 8 species of flora (Water hyasinth-Eichornia crassipes, Salvinia-Salvinia mo/esta, Prickly lantana-Lantana camara, Podisinghornarang-Eupatorium odoratum,Mimosa invisa, Ipil Ipil-Leucaenec1 leucocephala, Hydrilla-Hydrilla verticil/ata and Illuk-Imperata cylindrica) out of 43 species of exotic invasive biota listed by the IUCN, Sri Lanka,The Tank fish out of 6 fauna species recorded in the study has not been recorded previously inthis region, It was also found that one plant species, commonly called as Agada(Xanthiumindicum) which is not in the IUeN list, were appeared to be major threats in this aspect in theregion. It was also observed that several invasive plant species had positive impacts on somefaunal groups such as insects, amphibians reptiles and birdsThis paper discusses the common invasive species and their impact on the biodiversity andeconomic value and legal issues and offer suggestions for further research in the region forsound wildlife management

Morphological and Bitterness Level Characterization of Phyllanthus emblica Drupes Reveals Higher Diversity

Phyllanthus emblica L. (V. Nelli) is an important constituent of indigenous medicine and acommercially important fresh fruit species. The diversity of the P. emblica germplasm in SriLanka has not been studied in detail according to our knowledge. Therefore, the present studywas conducted to characterize the drupes of P. emblica gremplasm in Sri Lanka.A total of 475 P. emblica drupes harvested from 66 trees in selected areas of Anuradhapura,Kandy and Kurunegala districts of Sri Lanka. For each drupe, seven morphometric data;drupe height, width, weigh, mesocarp thickness, stone width, height and weight weremeasured. Also 61 drupes were used for the quantitative analysis of the epicarp colour ofdrupes using a colourimeter. An organoleptic property; bitterness was analysed in relation todrupe size by having a taste panel of independent human subjects. The data were analysedusing parametric and non parametric statistical methods.The cluster analysis based on drupe size traits clearly characterized the P. emblica germplasmin to four clusters. The means of drupe weight (Cluster 1; 5.98 g, Cluster 2; 3.59 g, Cluster 3;2.13 g, Cluster 4; 14.21 g) were significantly different (P<0.05) among the four clusters.There were significant differences in colour metrics between small and large drupe groups.The results indicated that the smaller drupes (chroma; 21.64, hue angle; -10.86) are lighter,yellowish, sharper and less colourful (i.e. dull) than that of the larger drupes (chroma; 12.66,hue angle; -21.11). The sensory data analysis revealed that generally smaller drupes arebitterer (57% of drupes awfully bitter) in contrast to larger drupes (47% of the drupes mildlybitter) but there is no guarantee that small drupes are always bitter. The Crarmer’s Vcoefficient (0.47) indicated that the association between drupe size and the bitterness has noperfect linear relationship (Crarmer’s V coefficient is 1.00 for such a linear perfectrelationship). The drupe traits were not different with respect to their tree locations or theclimate and the environmental factors contributed less than other factors such as genetics.The P. emblica germplasm has a higher diversity in Sri Lanka and should be conserved inorder to maintain the genetic stochasticity. It sets the foundation to implement conservationmeasures and this diversity structure can be further verified by molecular portrayal which iscurrently undertaken by our research group. The proposed characterization can be used as aguideline to define a working level core-collection that will be useful in taking decisions forgermplasm conservation and in planning crop improvement programs of P. emblica.