Development of new cultivation technology for straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) using locally available raw materials

Paddy straw mushroom (Volvariel1a volvacea) is an edible mushroom variety which can be cultivatedunder tropical and sub tropical conditions. In Sri Lanka, though the majority of farmers grow oystermushroom they are willing to undertake other mushroom types, including straw mushroom and milkymushroom. Straw mushroom cultivation is highly rewarding because of the favourable climaticconditions in Sri Lanka and the abundant availability of raw materials. The existing outdoor methodfor straw mushroom cultivation introduced by the Department of Agriculture (DOA) gives low orlandirregular yield. As the optimum environmental conditions are crucial in straw mushroom production,an indoor cultivation method using a polythcne house was tested with the existing outdoor method.Cotton waste and paddy straw were used as the growing media in both outdoor and indoor conditionsunder four treatments viz. paddy straw compost in polythene house (T 1), cotton waste compost inpolythene house (T2), paddy straw in outdoor environment (T3) and cotton waste in outdoor environment(T4), arranged in a Completely Randomized Design with three replicates. The results revealed that the indoor cultivation method with cotton waste compost substrate (TI) gave significantly highervalues for average yield (6901.\8 kg/ha) and average marketable yield (6489 kg/ha) compared toother treatments. Outdoor culture in straw substrate (T3) resulted lowest values for the same yieldparameters (567.\3 kg/ha, 516.3\ kg/ha, respectively). Indoor cultivation method with paddy strawcompost and cotton waste compost both resulted higher yields when compared to the outdoor cu Iture.As paddy straw is freely available in Sri Lanka, combining of paddy straw compost and cotton wastecompost as the substrate for straw mushroom culture under indoor conditions would be more profitabl

Evaluation of Luffa (Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb) varieties under low country intermediate zone of Sri Lanka

Luffa (Luffa acutangulu) is a popular low country vegetable in Sri Lanka and it is one of the mosthighly utilized vegetable species in the fanning systems of dry and intermediate zones. The existingLuffa varieties in Sri Lanka, recommended by the Department of Agriculture, and the introducedhybrids are vulnerable to pests and diseases and the cost for pest control mainly accounts for thehigher production cost of Luffa. Makandura Selection (MK) is a Luffa variety selected from farmerfields and it shows tolerance to fruit fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillettj), which is the mostserious pest causing high level of economic losses. Therefore, an experiment was conducted at theRegional Agricultural Research and Development Centre, Makandura, to evaluate the performanceof Makandura Selection along with the two Department of Agricu Iture recommended Luffa varieties,Asiri and LA 33. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with fourreplicates. Evaluation was done based on reproductive, yield and fruit quality parameters. Though thevariety LA 33 recorded the significantly highest yield (9.08 t/ha), the higher fruit length (35.02 ern),higher fruit weight (280.5 g) and high fruit firmness (4.38 kg) were not desirable in the context ofconsumer preference. The variety Asiri recorded a significantly lower yield (7.05 t ha') and thelowest fruit firmness (3.89 kg) wh ich are not preferred by the farmers. The variety MakanduraSelection showed moderate yields (8.98 t ha') and better performance in fruit quality attributes suchas lower fru it length (21.7 ern), lower fru it weight (207.2 g) and moderate firmness (4.25 kg). Therefore,the fruit fly tolerant ability, along with these positive fruit characteristics makes Makandura Selectiona suitable variety to introduce to the Luffa growers in Sri Lanka after further testing

COMPOSITION, STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF MIXED-SPECIES BIRD FLOCKS IN WALAUWA TTA-WA TURANA SWAMP FOREST, KALUTARA DISTRICT, WESTERN PROVINCE OF SRI LANKA

Mixed- species foraging bird flocks in Walauwatta-Waturan Swamp Forest (WWSF) were studiedfor a period of six months from February to July in 2001. Field data was collected from 07:00 to18:00 hrs and flocks were followed as long as possible to record their composition. Scan samplingmethod (Altman, 1975) was used to record their behavioural activity, height of feeding, feedingsite and the role of each individual within the flock. Two minute scan samples were done with fiveminute intervals and almost all the birds participating in the flock were scanned within the twominutes time period.The flocking tendency of birds in WWSF was 28.7% and 27 flocks were studied. A total of 31 birdspecies were recorded to participate in mixed-species flocks in WWSF. These include 28 residentand 3 migrate species. Five species were endemic to Sri Lanka. The flock composition varied from3 to 15 species (5.89±2.61) and 4 to 31 individuals (I2.96±7.41). There was a positive correlationbetween the number of species and ~ock size (r= 0.796).Crested Drongo (77.78%) and Black-naped Monarch (70.37%) were the most frequent birds foundin flocks while Sri Lanka Orange-billed Babbler was the most abundant (8.78±3.67 individuals perflock). Territorial species such as Purple-romped Sunbird joined the flock when it was passingthrough their territory. Birds in mixed-species flocks in WWSF were classified as nuclear species,lead species, regular species, and occasional species. 2 major nuclear species (Crested Drongo &Sri Lanka Orange-billed Babbler), 4 lead species (Above two with Malabar Trogon and AsianParadise Flycatcher), 12 regular species, and IS occasional species were identified. Associations ofbird species participating in mixed species flocks in WWSF were studied using cluster analysis.Two main clusters could be identified, one of which could be again divided into two subassociations.The first cluster comprised of Crested Drongo and Black-naped Monarch who showedthe highest level of association. Black Bulbul and Sri Lanka Orange-billed Babbler could not bepooled into any clusters.Different species in mixed species flocks had different optimum height levels of movementthrough the forest and appeared to have characteristic feeding sites. The vertical distribution of theregular species in flocks was consistent. Sri Lanka Orange-billed Babbler was found at a widerange of foraging heights. But, Scarlet Minivet and Black Bulbul were observed mostly in thecanopy and the Crested Drongo was observed in the middle strata of the forest (10 to 20 ft). TheAsian Paradise Flycatcher was observed in the same range. However, other fly catching species(Black-naped Monarch and Tickell's Blue flycatcher) were observed mostly in the 10 to 15ftvertical range. There was an extensive overlap of height ranges between some species. But theywere observed to use different activity/feeding sites. Black-naped Monarch and Velvet-frontedBlue Nuthatch were found in the same height range, but feeding sites utilized by them wasdifferent (foliage and tree trunk respectively). Crested Drongo and Asian Paradise Flycatcher wereobserved to occupy the same vertical height range and feeding sites, but they were using differentfeeding techniques. Even being a small area of 12 ha (CEA, 1994) IIWTOUIIdedby Rubber plantations and homegardens, the Swamp Forest have a considerable flocking tendency with compared to Sinharaja Forest Reserve 30%)(Kotagama et. AI., 1986) and Knuckles Conservation Forest (30.S) (Sbriyani, 2000), thus worth conserve thehabitat

ASSESSMENT OF BIODIVERSITY IN THE MUTHURAJAWELA WETLAND SANCTUARY

Muthurajawela wetland. located as the west coast of Sri Lanka is the largestcoastal peal bag of the island. At present. the biodiversity of Muthurajawela isthreatened by unplanned development activities and growing human population.Therefore, an ecological survey was carried out in order to assess the presentstatus of biodiversity in Muthurajawela, and also to identify critical habitats forthe conservation and sustence of biodiversity. Field monitoring of fauna and florawas carried out at fortnightly intervals, using scientifically accepted rapidbiodiversity assessment techniques (fauna - line transects; flora - plots, Braun-Blanquet cover), The data was analysed using ecological indices(diversity/species richness), and critical habitats were identified using avifauna asa correlate of biodiversity. Ground truthing of vegetation maps was carried out todocument changes of major vegetation communities.The study enabled to identify 192 species of flora, distributed over seven majorvegetation communities at Muthurajawela; marsh, lentic flora, reed swamp, shortgrassland, scrubland, stream bank flora and mangrove swamp. The vertebratefauna documented included 40 species of fish, 14 species of amphibians, 31species of reptiles, 102 species of birds and 22 species of mammals. Among thetotal vertebrate species documented, 17 are endemic, 26 are considered asnationally threatened, while 36 are new records to Muthurajawela. The selectedinvertebrate species documented consisted of 48 species of butterflies and 22species odonates, the latter which turned out to be a useful indicator of habitatquality. The threats documented included direct exploitation (poaching, cutting oftrees), habitat degradation/modification (land reclamation, dumping of garbage,clearing of natural vegetation, pollution and eutrophication) and the spread ofseveral alien invasive species (including unmanaged domestic animals). Thenorthern part of the marsh serve as an ecotone, with a mixture of the above plantcommunities/habitat types which were relatively undisturbed. Analysis carriedout using ecological indices highlighted the northern region as a high biodiversityzone, which is critical for the conservation and future sustenance of biodiversity atMuthurajawela. Ground truthing of vegetation maps, supported with results of thevegetation survey showed that the composition of dominant flora has changedover a period of 10 years, in most places in the Muthurajawela Wetland, as aresult of human disturbances. Data on the avifauna also highlighted aconsiderable decrease in migrant birds at Muthurajawela, possibly due to habitatdeterioration.The findings have important conservation and managementimplications, in particular greater emphasis need to be placed on the more ciritcalareas of the marsh. An important policy implication would be the need

Impact of culture towards disaster risk reduction

Number of natural disasters has risen sharply worldwide making the risk of disasters a global concern. These disasters have created significant losses and damages to humans, economy and society. Despite the losses and damages created by disasters, some individuals and communities do not attached much significance to natural disasters. Risk perception towards a disaster not only depends on the danger it could create but also the behaviour of the communities and individuals that is governed by their culture. Within this context, this study examines the relationship between culture and disaster risk reduction (DRR). A comprehensive literature review is used for the study to evaluate culture, its components and to analyse a series of case studies related to disaster risk. It was evident from the study that in some situations, culture has become a factor for the survival of the communities from disasters where as in some situations culture has acted as a barrier for effective DRR activities. The study suggests community based DRR activities as a mechanism to integrate with culture to effectively manage disaster risk

Needle to needle robot-assisted manufacture of cell therapy products

Advanced therapeutic medicinal products (ATMPs) have emerged as novel therapies for untreatable diseases, generating the need for large volumes of high-quality, clinically-compliant GMP cells to replace costly, high-risk and limited scale manual expansion processes. We present the design of a fully automated, robot-assisted platform incorporating the use of multiliter stirred tank bioreactors for scalable production of adherent human stem cells. The design addresses a needle-to-needle closed process incorporating automated bone marrow collection, cell isolation, expansion, and collection into cryovials for patient delivery. AUTOSTEM, a modular, adaptable, fully closed system ensures no direct operator interaction with biological material; all commands are performed through a graphic interface. Seeding of source material, process monitoring, feeding, sampling, harvesting and cryopreservation are automated within the closed platform, comprising two clean room levels enabling both open and closed processes. A bioprocess based on human MSCs expanded on microcarriers was used for proof of concept. Utilizing equivalent culture parameters, the AUTOSTEM robot-assisted platform successfully performed cell expansion at the liter scale, generating results comparable to manual production, while maintaining cell quality postprocessing

Polyacetylenes from Sardinian Oenanthe fistulosa: A Molecular Clue to risus sardonicus

An investigation of Oenanthe fistulosa from Sardinia afforded oenanthotoxin (1a) and dihydrooenanthotoxin (1b) from the roots and the diacetylenic epoxydiol 2 from the seeds. The absolute configuration of 1a and 1b was established as R by the modified Mosher's method, and the structure of 2 by chemical correlation with (+)-(3R,8S)-falcarindiol. Oenanthotoxin (1a) and dihydrooenanthotoxin (1b) were found to potently block GABAergic responses, providing a molecular rationale for the symptoms of poisoning from water-dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) and related plants. These observations bear relevance for a series of historical and ethnopharmacological observations on the identification of the Sardonic herb and the molecular details of the facial muscular contraction caused by its ingestion (risus sardonicus)

Multimedia e-learning on technologies for efficient water use

One of the Millennium Development Goals is “To ensure environmental sustainability”, with a special task dedicated to halve by 2015 the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water. This task collides with alarming studies that, for instance, foresee an acute water shortage in India and other Asian countries by 2050. In this conflicting context we present ED-WAVE, a developing project funded by the Asia-Link Programme, participating six countries (India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Greece, Spain and Finland). Its goal is to create a sustainable international cooperation framework and to develop a multimedia tool for e-Learning on technologies for conservation, reclamation and reuse of natural resources. We therefore use IT tools aimed at improving people’s education, including analysis of current water use status in Asia and Europe, review of potential technological interventions, simulation of impacts of specific technology interventions and translation of knowledge into electronic teaching material

pSESYNTH project: Community mobilization for a multi-disciplinary paleo database of the Global South

How to enhance paleoscientific research, collaboration and application in the Global South? The INQUA-funded multi-year pSESYNTH project envisions the first multi-disciplinary Holocene paleo database through a collaborative vision for past human-environmental systems in the Global South, and their future sustainability