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Effects of Different Concentrations of Banana Male Bud Tonic on the Growth and Yield of Salad Cucumber under Polytunnel Conditions

2026-08-04T09:53:55Z

Title: Effects of Different Concentrations of Banana Male Bud Tonic on the Growth and Yield of Salad Cucumber under Polytunnel Conditions Authors: Bandara, B.A.I.S.L.; Uduwawala, H.; Devasinghe, D.A.U.D. Abstract: Plant-based biostimulants are increasingly recognized as sustainable inputs for enhancing crop growth and productivity under protected vegetable cultivation. However, information on optimal application rates under polytunnel conditions remains limited. Banana male bud tonic is a plant-derived biostimulant rich in bioactive compounds that can stimulate plant growth and improve yield performance. This study evaluated the effects of different concentrations of banana male bud tonic, applied as soil drench at 10-day intervals during the vegetative phase, on the growth, flowering, and yield of salad cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. ‘Bonafide F1’) grown under polytunnel conditions at the Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. The experiment was carried out in completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments; T1 - Albert’s solution only (control); T2 - Albert’s solution + banana male bud tonic (1:5); T3 - Albert’s solution + banana male bud tonic (1:10) and T4 - Albert’s solution + banana male bud tonic (1:15) and replicated four times. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, and treatment means were separated using the Dunnett’s test at the 5% probability level. Plant height increased over time, but the height was not significantly influenced by banana male bud tonic applications up to first flowering (p>0.05). Soil drench application of banana male bud tonic significantly increased yield per plant (p<0.05), with the highest yield recorded in T3 (792.45±45.83 g plant⁻¹), followed by T4 (672.20±50.50 g plant⁻¹). These treatments increased yield by approximately 97% and 67%, respectively, over the control (401.75±50.88 g plant⁻¹). Fruit length and diameter were not significantly affected by treatments. In conclusion, soil application of banana male bud tonic at a 1:10 concentration effectively enhances salad cucumber yield under protected cultivation, highlighting its potential as a sustainable biostimulant for vegetable production.

Phenotypic Plasticity of Qualitative Leaf Traits in Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Verum) Accessions across Two Agroecological Regions in Sri Lanka

2026-08-04T09:49:58Z

Title: Phenotypic Plasticity of Qualitative Leaf Traits in Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Verum) Accessions across Two Agroecological Regions in Sri Lanka Authors: Nithiyanjaly, V.; Prathibhani, M.R.; Sandamini, P.K.D.; Hirotoshi, T.; Jayasekara, L.; Ranaweera, S.; Geekiyanage, S. Abstract: Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomun verum) is a globally demanded spice and positioning as a world’s largest exporter. However, Sri Lanka currently has only two improved cultivars, Sri Gemunu and Sri Wijaya which yield up to 1500 kg ha⁻¹ under optimal conditions and vegetatively propagated for genetic uniformity. These cultivars exhibit phenotypic plasticity that complicates reliable identification. This study evaluated the environmental stability and phenotypic plasticity of qualitative leaf morphological traits in twenty cinnamon accessions across two agroecological regions of WM3a (Mid country Research Station [MRS]) and WL2a (Thalgampola, Galle) in Sri Lanka. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Mother plants at MRS were compared with their vegetatively propagated clones established in Thalgampola for two years. Standardized leaf sampling from the 5th and 6th nodes below apical shoot tips were assessed for six qualitative traits of leaf arrangement (opposite, subopposite, opposite or subopposite in different branches and opposite to subopposite within the same branch), shape (elliptic, broadly elliptic, narrowly elliptic, ovate, broadly ovate, oval, lanceolate, ovatelanceolate, and oblong-lanceolate), apex (acute, obtuse, acuminate, long acuminate, narrowly acuminate, and acuminate with broad acumen), base (acute, subacute, cuneate, rounded, sub-cordate, and obtuse contracted into petiole then shortly cuneate), venation, and margin. Chi-square and Cramér’s V analyses revealed that leaf arrangement, apex, base, and venation were environmentally stable (p > 0.05, V < 0.5). Leaf shape showed moderate plasticity (p = 0.033), while leaf margin exhibited strong environmental responsiveness (p < 0.001), varying between entire and slightly undulate forms across regions. These findings indicate that environmentally stable traits serve as reliable taxonomic markers for cultivar identification across diverse sites, while phenotypically plastic traits may indicate adaptive responses, supporting breeding and propagation strategies.

A Case Study on Farm Formulated Layer Feeds

2026-08-04T09:43:01Z

Title: A Case Study on Farm Formulated Layer Feeds Authors: Perera, A.S.P; Somasiri, S.C. Abstract: Considering the high prices of commercial poultry feed, small-scale farmers tend to formulate their own poultry feeds. However, whether these feeds meet the required nutritional levels of poultry is poorly documented. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional quality of farm-formulated layer feeds from three provinces and assess crude protein (CP) compliance with NRC 1994 standards. Layer feed samples were collected from small-scale farms across Western, North-Western, and North-Central Provinces (5 samples per province). A structured questionnaire was used to assess farmers' knowledge on feed formulation requirements and also of nutritional standards. Proximate analysis following AOAC methods determined CP, crude fiber (CF), crude fat (EE), ash, dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM). Statistical analysis employed One-Way ANOVA for inter-provincial comparison, with NRC standards used as benchmarks for CP (15%) and dry matter (90%). North Central Province exhibited the highest (p<0.05) protein content (21.7±0.68%) exceeding North-Western Province (18.9±0.68%) but similar to Western Province (20.1±0.68%). Critically, all three provinces substantially exceeded the NRC (1994) recommended level of for laying hens in production. However, the DM content was according to the recommended level in all three provinces. North-Central Province had the lowest (p<0.05) EE (5.4±0.48%) compared to Western (7.2±0.48%) and North-Western (7.5±0.48%) Provinces. All respondents (100%, n=15) lacked awareness of NRC (1994) nutritional standards for layer feeds. Majority (60%) of the farmers obtained knowledge of feed formulation from a hired consultant, 20% through browsing the internet while the other 20% of the farmers obtained knowledge from the market formulas. None of the surveyed farmers had received formal training in feed formulation nor attended agricultural extension programs related to poultry nutrition in the last five years. This case study demonstrates critical protein over-formulation across all provinces, causing economic inefficiency and unnecessarily increased feed costs confirming the urgent need for targeted extension services to provide evidencebased feed formulation trainings.

Shelf-Life Assessment of Different Flavoured Drinking Yoghurts using Physicochemical and Microbiological Parameters

2026-08-04T09:39:14Z

Title: Shelf-Life Assessment of Different Flavoured Drinking Yoghurts using Physicochemical and Microbiological Parameters Authors: Jegatheeswaran, S.; Jeisunthar, R.; Gunasekara, D.C.S. Abstract: Fermented milk products are important due to their nutritional and functional properties. However, shelf-life assessment of these products is often performed using single parameters, which may reduce the reliability of prediction results. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the shelf life of different flavoured drinking yoghurts using physicochemical and microbial quality parameters. Samples of vanilla, strawberry, mango, and aloe vera flavoured drinking yoghurts were obtained from a commercial dairy processing unit in Sri Lanka and stored under similar refrigerated conditions (4℃) throughout the experimental period. Key physicochemical parameters, including pH, titratable acidity, water-holding capacity, and syneresis, as well as microbial parameters such as yeast and mold count, and coliform count, were evaluated weekly over a four-week storage period. The results revealed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in pH (4.30-3.97) and an increase in titratable acidity (0.75-1.40%). Syneresis and water-holding capacity remained within acceptable limits, while yeast and mold counts were TFTC and coliforms were absent in all samples. Graphical trend analysis and regression modelling demonstrated progressive product deterioration during storage. The statistically significant regression model (Y=a+b(pH)+c(TA)) demonstrated a relationship between storage time, pH, and titratable acidity. Shelf life was estimated based on physicochemical limits (pH 4.0 and titratable acidity 1.2%) and trend extrapolation. The developed prediction models indicated shelf lives of 29, 26, 25, and 24 days for vanilla, mango, strawberry and aloe vera flavoured drinking yoghurts, respectively. These findings indicate that physicochemical and microbiological parameters combined with trend analysis provide a reliable approach for shelf-life estimation.