An Overview of Current Status and Future Prospects of Grassland Resource in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, nearly 12,000 km2 of the total land area is under grass (Pemadasa, 1990). Use of grassland for livestock through traditional way goes back a number of centuries. Almost 20% of the countryside of the earth is covered by grassdominated flora, which includes numerous communities (Pemadasa, 1990).The cohesiveness of traditional societies and social groups in livestock rearing led to complete approaches that resulted in appropriate, environmentally sound sustainable technologies in sustainable grassland management. However, due to growing population and mismanagement, Sri Lankan grasslands are deteriorating. Moreover grasslands play key role in livestock production and environment stability. There is a continuing need to maintain a broad spectrum of production and conservation interests in order to ensure the effective and suitable management of the grassland resource (Premaratne et al., 2003). The local grass species have high diversity and environmental adaptability indicating their potential utilization in future improvement programs especially under changing climate. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to review status of local grassland/species with respect to climate, topography and soil types and its improvement potential

Morphological variability, germination ability and survival rate of weedy rice seeds in Ampara and Matara Districts in Sri Lanka

High diversity in morphology and physiology of weedy rice is important resource for rice breeding. Present study was aimed to determine the seed morphological diversity, germination percentage and survival rate of weedy rice populations in Matara and Ampara districts. Significant diversity of seed shape, awn length, hull color and pericarp color was observed. Germination percentage and survival rates were highly variable. Our results showed that great diversity in weedy rice seeds and the favorable characteristics such high germination percentage, high survival ability, own less seeds, proper seed shape and pericarp color can be incorporated into cultivated rice varieties in rice breeding programs

Innovative strategic planning for a sustainable green university: University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

University of Ruhuna (UOR) consists of ten faculties thatspread over 366 acres in six different locations in the Southern Province ofSri Lanka. Economically viable and mutually benefited public-privatepartnerships, which ensure the common direction for the different goalsof stakeholders, are the principles of strategic green planning of theUniversity. This paper presents two key sustainable initiatives of UOR. Theproposed strategic landscaping project has been focused to utilize theopen space which accounts for 60-70% of the total land area. The totalopen space will be divided into manageable zones based on geographicalcharacteristics. Private sponsorships will be sought to cover the initialcapital and maintenance cost, allowing sponsors to do selectedpromotional activities within their zones. The second project is theestablishment of a sustainable, modern agribusiness venture. Thirty acresof land will be rented out for a private company and the company has toshare the profit with the University. University will provide consultationand technical support to the project. Cultivation of Cinnamon, Pepper andother unique spicy crops, production of organic fertilizer and bio char,protected agriculture project, Cinnamon oil extraction plant and solarpower project are the key components of this initiativeKeyword: Green university, Public-private partnerships, Strategic planning,Sustainabl

Habitat Fragmentation and Isolation-by-Distance Driven Population Divergence of Oryza rufipogon in Sri Lanka

Wild relatives of rice are an important genetic resources in rice breeding. Oryza rufipogon is a diploid perennial species belongs to AA genome group and sexually compatible with cultivated rice. The putative ancestor of Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) is endangered in Sri Lanka due to habitat loss and land fragmentation. However, no proper studies have been performed on population diversity and habitat fragmentation of the Sri Lankan wild rice species used in our breeding programs. In this study, we explore the genetic diversity of five Oryza rufipogon populations using 33 microsatellite loci to infer the effects of habitat fragmentation and isolation by-distance (IBD) on genetic structure. Results of AMOVA revealed among population variance (43.7%) and within population (56.31%) variance. Partial Mantel tests (r2=0.306; p value=0.027) showed that population divergence of Sri Lankan O. rufipogon based on isolation by distance was statistically significant. Genetic diversity of O. rufipogon was recorded at population level (0.41) and the individual level (0.62). Preferred habitats of O. rufipogon are swampy areas like marshes, open ditches, swamps, ponds, pools, along river banks, at the edges of lakes and in or at the margins of rice fields. Some populations grow under submergence and saline conditions. The water depth preferences are between 0.2-4.0 m. As a result of human activities such as agriculture, urbanization and industry have destroyed natural habitats, leading to increasing habitat fragmentation. Conclusively, these results indicate that IBD due to historical rather than recent fragmentation, followed by local adaptation, has driven population divergence in O. rufipogon. Understanding genetic diversity and eco-geographic variation of wild rice in Sri Lanka is timely requirement it provides opportunities to design conservation strategies and basic information for proper utilization of wild genetic resources in rice genetic improvement and breeding.Keywords: Crop improvement, Habitat, Mantel test, Genetic structure, Wild ric

Diversity and in-situ morphological characterization of weedy rice in selected locations of Sri Lanka

Weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) of the Poaceae is a weed accompanying rice and is becoming a serious problem in rice growing areas all over the world. Weedy rice populations were first observed in Ampara district in mid 1990‟s in Sri Lanka and now becoming common in most of the rice growing areas. Weedy rice was reported to be progenies of crosses between wild rice and cultivated rice or the product of degradation of cultivated rice. Since weedy rice is considered as a natural hybrid between cultivated rice and wild rice it may be possible to use as a bridge to transfer genes from secondary genepool to cultivated rice. Weedy rice may also contain important genes which can be incorporated into the cultivated varieties. The study was carried out to characterize the weedy rice accessions collected from different locations in terms of diversity in morphological traits. Twenty three locations were taken as the sampling sites from different agro ecological regions and quantitative and qualitative morphological data on plant height, panicle length, number of tillers and panicles, leaf length, awn color and awn size were taken from randomly selected fifty weedy rice individuals. Results revealed that significant difference was observed between Kurunegala (29.4cm) and Matara (37.1cm) for panicle length. Relatively taller weedy rice plants were observed at Ampara (146.9 cm), while Matara (144.2 cm) recorded the shortest. Number of tillers and the number of panicles were not significantly different. Weedy rice plants observed at Ampara (48.1cm) possessed the longest leaves. 68.13% of observed weedy accessions were awning and Ampara (78%) recorded the highest. Awnless plants were observed at Polonnaruwa (37.3%), Puttlam (34%) and Anuradhapura (33.6%) comparatively higher percentages. Information on morphological diversity should be useful for future breeding programmes of rice and proper conservation of genetic diversity in the adapted germplas

Spectral Signatures of Immature \u3cem\u3eLucilia sericata\u3c/em\u3e (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Hyperspectral remote sensing is an innovative technology with applications in many sciences and is a non-destructive method that may offer more precise aging within development stages. Hyperspectral reflectance measurements from the anterior, midsection, and posterior of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) larvae and pupae were conducted daily from samples of the developing insects beginning at second instar. Only midsection measurements were conducted on second instar larvae due to their size, to ensure that the measurement was not of reflective surroundings. Once measured, all insects were washed with deionized water, blotted with filter paper, and re-measured. Daily age prediction during the post-feeding stage was not impacted by the unwashed insect measurements and was best predicted based on posterior measurements. The second and third instar larvae, which move about their food source, had different contributing coefficients to the functional regression model for the hyperspectral measurements of the washed compared with unwashed specimens. Although washing did not affect the daily prediction within these stages, it is still encouraged in order to decrease the effect of food source on spectral reflectance. Days within the intra-puparial period were best predicted based on anterior measurements and were not well distinguished from one another in the first few days based on midsection and posterior measurements

Evaluation of resistance of wild rice; Oryza nivara to feeding by Brown planthopper [Nilaparvata lugens (Stal)] populations

The Brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens is one of the most destructive monophagous insect pests of rice in Sri Lanka. The present study evaluated the level of resistance of seventeen O. nivara accessions collected from different locations in Sri Lanka (WRAC 01, 02, 04, 07, 11, 12, 14, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 35, 41, 46, 62 and 9864) to feeding by different BPH populations. Response of test accessions to feeding was assessed by using standard honeydew test. Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicates was applied for the test and repeated two times. Two BPH populations collected from Bathalagoda, Bombuwala which were reared on Bg 380 (susceptible check) and a virulent BPH population collected from Kegalle area and reared on Bg 379/2 (moderately resistant check) were used for screening. Also, to inspect genetic variation among BPH populations by Standard Seed Box Screening test, a differential set of four resistant cultivars with known resistant genes for BPH (Ptb 33- bph2, Bph3; Rathu Hennati - Bph 3; Baba wee - bph4 and Pokkali-Bph9) were used. According to the results, certain accessions of O. nivara (WRAC 35, 21, and 02) showed significantly the least honeydew productions (α= 0.05) indicating their superior resistance to all BPH populations over Ptb 33 (resistant check). WRAC 01 and Ptb 33 grouped together for their resistance, while WRAC 25, 04, 22, 14, 07, 24 and 9864 showed significantly less honeydew productions compared to moderately resistant variety Bg 379/2 indicating their considerable level of resistance to BPH. Bg 380 showed the highest honeydew production indicating no resistance to BPH in it. Significantly the highest, moderate and lowest honeydew excretions were produced by Kegalle, Bathalagoda and Bombuwela populations respectively. Differential responses to standard resistant cultivars revealed genetic variation of Kegalle population from other two populations studied. Also, virulent nature of Kegalle population was detected for bph 4 gene

Hyperspectral measurements of immature \u3cem\u3eLucilia sericata\u3c/em\u3e (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) raised on different food substrates

Immature Lucilia sericata (Meigen) raised on beef liver, beef heart, pork liver and pork heart at a mean temperature of 20.6°C took a minimum of 20 days to complete development. Minimum development time differences within stages were observed between the meat types (pork/beef), but not the organ types (liver/heart). Daily hyperspectral measurements were conducted and a functional regression was completed to examine the main effects of meat and organ type on daily spectral measurements. The model examined post feeding larval spectral measurements of insects raised on beef liver alone, the effect of those raised on pork compared with those raised on beef, the effect of those raised on heart compared with those raised on liver and the interactional effect of those raised on pork heart compared with those raised on beef liver. The analyses indicated that the spectral measurements of post feeding L. sericata raised on pork and beef organs (liver and heart) are affected by the meat and organ type

MORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF WEEDY RICE ACCESSIONS COLLECTED IN AMPARA DISTRICT

Weedy rice is becoming common in most rice growing areas in Sri Lanka. It is variable in almost all the vegetative and reproductive characteristics and tends to have low tillering ability, easy shattering, long awns and higher dormancy in some variants. In addition, weedy rice may contain important genes which can be incorporated into the cultivated varieties. In order to ascertain the diversity for its possible utilization in rice crop improvement, morphological characters of weedy rice accessions were observed in three locations in Ampara district. Characters were observed from 50 individuals with at least 5m distance between plants. A significant difference was observed in weedy rice plants observed at Thottama for plant height while at Lahugala significant differences were observed for tiller number (3.22) and number of panicles (2.54). 58% of observed panicles had awns and purple colored long awns were the most prominent. In addition, white colored long awns, purple colored medium sized awns and white colored medium sized awns were present. The plants observed at Thottama showed higher number of panicles from relatively shorter plants. The existence of great diversity in the morphology indicates the presence of other related agronomic, physiological aspects for their selection and adoption

Evaluation of turmeric-mung bean intercrop productivity through competition functions

An intercropping experiment was conducted with varying combinations of turmeric and mung bean to find out the efficacy of productivity and economic return through competition functions. Treatments were evaluated on the basis of several competition functions, such as land equivalent ratio (LER), aggressiveness, competitive ratio (CR), monetary advantage index (MAI) and system productivity index (SPI). Results showed that rhizome yields of turmeric were higher in intercropping system than in mono crop. It indicated that intercropping of mung bean did not affect the rhizome yield of turmeric. However, turmeric (100 %) + 3 row mung bean (100 %) in between turmeric lines intercropping system exhibited maximum yield of both the crops as well as turmeric equivalent yield, LER, competitive indices values, SPI and MAI (Tk. 2,44,734.46 ha-1) compared to the other intercropping combinations and the mono crops. Aggressiveness of intercrop indicated dominance of turmeric over mung bean in all the combinations except turmeric (100 %) + 1 row mung bean (33 %). Competition functions of intercroping suggested beneficial association of turmeric and mung bean crops. The study revealed that mung bean could be introduced as intercrop with turmeric without hampering rhizome yield with higher benefit additionally increasing mung bean production area. © 2018 University of Ljubljana. All rights reserved