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The Influence of Vermicomposting Technology on Solubility of Eppawala Rock Phosphate Senarathne, S. H. S.; Udumann, S. S.
International Coconut Community Journal Vol 34 No 2 (2018): CORD
Publisher : International Coconut Community

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | Full PDF (648.566 KB) | DOI: 10.37833/cord.v34i2.15

Abstract

The application of Eppawala Rock Phosphate (ERP) could be an economic alternative to the use of imported phosphorus fertilizer for certain annual as well as perennial crops like coconut in acid soils. But, its low solubility limits direct application. For Vermicomposting technology, which is a biodegradation process of plant and animal waste materials through earthworms, has been tested for increasing the solubility of ERP. Fresh Gliricidia leaves, fresh cow dung and grasses were mixed 1:2:1 ratio as the basic composting mixture and ERP was mixed at the ratio of 10% and 20% to the composting materials. Forty numbers of earthworms were added to each of the plastic containers with the composting mixture, having five replicates per treatment. Addition of ERP in to mixture showed no effect on the multiplication rate of earth worms. The nutrient availability of compost was measured with time and compared with the control (T1). Each treatment had the similar amount of nitrogen in the system and that indicates the addition of rock phosphate has a minimal effect or no effect on conversion or losses of available nitrogen. Addition of ERP increased the availability of phosphorus and it was significantly higher in T4 and T3 than other treatments. Available phosphorus value was significantly increased from 4% (T5 and T6) to 9 % in T3 and T4 treatments. Total potassium content decreased in all treatments compare with control. Therefore, vermicomposting can be utilized to increase the solubility of ERP while increasing the available phosphorus in the end product.
Propagation and Possible Allelopathic Effects of Vernoniazeylanica on Selected Bioassay Species Senarathne, S.H.S.; Udumann, S. S.
International Coconut Community Journal Vol 36 (2020): CORD
Publisher : International Coconut Community

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.37833/cord.v36i.428

Abstract

Vernonia zeylanica (L.) belongs to the family Asteraceae, is one of the major endemic weed species present in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) plantations of the tropics, which propagates very easily. There is a possibility that this plant could also possess allelopathic effects, but this has not been scientifically tested. Thus, a study was carried out to determine the seed germination of V. zeylanica under soil moisture stress conditions, shoot propagation methods and possible allopathic effects of this species, on selected species in bioassay tests. Germination of V. zeylanica seeds was not observed at higher osmotic potential (-0.9 MPa). The highest sprouting percentage of this species were obtained with soft wood cuttings. The aqueous leaf extract was highly phytotoxic, and it significantly reduced germination and seedling growth of all bioassay species tested. Full strength (33.3 g L-1) aqueous extracts of leaves significantly reduced the germination percentage, root and hypocotyl growth rates of all species tested. The inhibitory effects were often dependent on concentration. However, the degree of inhibition varied among the test plant species. The seedling emergences of all four tested plants were severally inhibited when planted in V. zeylanica contaminated soil. The results indicated that incorporated aqueous leaf extract of V. zeylanica and its rhizosphere contaminated soil can suppress seed germination, seedling growth and seedling emergence of certain plant species indicating a possible allelopathic effect.
Effect of Selected Leguminous Cover Crop Species on the Productivity of Coconut Cultivated in Reddish Brown Latosolic Soils in Sri Lanka Senarathne, S.H.S.; Udumann, S. S.
International Coconut Community Journal Vol 37 (2021): CORD
Publisher : International Coconut Community

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.37833/cord.v37i.435

Abstract

This study was conducted for six years to assess the effects of two widely grown cover crops Gliricidia sepium (T1) and Puereria phasioloides (T2) on coconut yields and soil characteristics. Experiments were carried out on coconuts planted in Reddish Brown Latosolic soils located in the low country intermediate zone-IL1 of Sri Lanka. Results showed that treatments 1 and 2 were significantly (p≤0.05) effective over the control treatment (no cover crop) in suppressing weed biomass. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for physical, chemical and biological properties. Results showed that soils where G. sepium and P. phasioloides were grown were superior in most of the properties compared to the control. Soils under P. phasioloides showed significantly higher moisture contents compared to G. sepium and control treatments. Significant increases on soil properties were likewise observed in G. sepium and P. phasioloides plots: nitrogen (by 77% and 76 %), organic carbon content (by 86% and 148%), soil microbial activity (by 52% and 73%), respectively. On the other hand, soil bulk densities were reduced significantly by 20% and 27% under G. sepium and P. phasioloides, respectively. There was no significant increase observed on available P but P content improved with the establishment of cover crops. Significant increases in mean annual nut yields were observed during the 4th, 5th, and 6th years after cover crops establishment. Nut yields were found to increase with G. sepium and P. phasioloides by 46% and 58%, respectively when compared to that of control treatment plots.
Evaluation of biomass production of CO-3 fodder grass under coconut and its effect on nut yield of intermediate zone coconut plantations in Sri Lanka Senarathne, S.H.S.; Raveendra, S. A. S. T.; Udumann, S. S.; Kumara, M. A. N. A.
International Coconut Community Journal Vol 39 (2023): CORD
Publisher : International Coconut Community

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.37833/cord.v39i.449

Abstract

Six CO-3 fodder grass planting systems under coconut palms were evaluated for six years concerning biomass production and coconut yield. This study was carried out at Potthukulama (PRS) Research Station of the Coconut Research Institute, in the Low Country Dry Zone of the Northwestern province of Sri Lanka, where the soil series is Ambakele. According to the experiment results, the highest CO-3 biomass was produced when five CO-3 rows were planted between coconut rows and harvested in 30 days lopping interval. There was no significant effect of CO-3 planting densities and lopping intervals on the yield of coconut.