bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical Control Measures Against Patch Canker Disease in Rubber Plantations
Authors: Fernando T.H.P.S.  , Nishantha E.A.D.N.
Published: June 2022

The rubber plantation industry plays a significant role in Sri Lankan economy in terms of foreign exchange earnings. Rubber cultivations are affected by a number of economically important diseases and insect pests which lead to significant yield losses. During the recent past, an abnormal bark cracking at the collar region and oozing of latex of trees was frequently reported to the Rubber Research Institute. The disease has been identified as Patch Canker condition and the causative agent was reported as a fungal like pathogen Pythium spp. This study reviews the recommendations to treat patch canker disease in rubber plantations. The effects of the fungicides namely mancozeb 80%, mancozeb 64%+metalaxil-MZ72, carbendazim 50% ai, hexaconazole 50 ai, captan 50% WP, thiram 80% WP and copper oxychloride 50% WP were evaluated on the mycelial growth of the Pythium spp. using the poisoned food technique (PFT) in vitro. Hundred parts per million (100 ppm), 200 ppm, 600 ppm and 1,000 ppm active ingredient of each chemicals were subjected to testing. The field trials were carried out at Pussella Estate, Kuruwita Estate and Woodend Estate which were identified as the affected fields with Pythium spp. One hundred and twenty five moderately affected, ten years old rubber trees were selected out of five hundred trees of one hectare for the field tests of the chemical treatments at each estate. Four fungicides namely mancozeb 80%, carbendazim 50% ai, thiram 80% WP and thiophanate methyl 70% WP were tested in vivo, based on their behavior in vitro also to represent different chemical mode of action. In the PFT, the most suppression of mycelial growth in plates containing was from mancozeb at a concentration of 200 ppm. Carbendazim and mancozeb+metalaxil were both inhibitory to Pythium spp. in culture at concentrations ranging 400- 600 ppm. Fungicides thiram, copper oxychloride, hexaconazole and captan were not inhibitory to Pythium spp. at 600 ppm. According the field test fungicides mancozeb and carbendazim showed the highest average disease recovery index while the low average disease recovery index were recorded for fungicides thiram and thiophanate methyl. Based on in vitro and in vivo investigation the fungicides mancozeb and carbendazim were extremely effective in controlling the pathogen Pythium spp. No further cankers developed from the bark surface after the applications of mancozeb and carbendazim treatments. Treating affected trees with mancozeb or carbendazim will reduce the severity of patch canker caused by the Pythium spp.

Keywords: Natural rubber, Patch Canker disease, Chemical controlling
Catch Diversity of Small Scale Lobster Fishery in Southern Coast of Sri Lanka
Authors: Hewapathirana S.K.  , Ekanayake K.B.S.S.J.  , Liyanage U.  , De Silva D.A.M.
Published: June 2022

The lobster fishery is one of the well-established, highly valued commercial fisheries on the Southern coast of Sri Lanka. There are five spiny lobster species, Panulirus homarus, P. longipes, P. ornatus, P. versicolor and P. penicillatus are recorded in the Southern coast of Sri Lanka. However, the heavy fishing pressure and other anthropogenic interventions have caused a significant depletion of some of these species. Therefore, in order to identify the vulnerability of the lobster species, we studied the species, gender and sexual maturity compositions of the lobster catch with the data collected from nine different lobster landing sites along the southern coast of Sri Lanka during 2019 and 2020. Minitab and MS Excel software were used for the descriptive statistical analysis. According to the results, the dominant species in the sampled landings was P. homarus, with the average percentage of 73.16% in 2019 and 84.65% in 2020. However, least abundant P. ornatus species’ average percentages were 0.74% in 2019 and 0.27% in 2020. Moreover the results reveals the male:female 1:1 sex ratio of the lobster catches as 1:0.9 in 2019 and 1:0.89 in 2020. Most importantly, among all females, there were 43.01% in 2019 and 37.31% in 2020 percentages borne eggs while 48.53% in 2019 and 47.03% in 2020 percentage of females were identified with tar spots. Therefore, considerable caught of tar spotted and egg bearing female lobsters might be a major cause of lobster stock depletion in Southern coast of Sri Lanka. Thus present study would be a preliminary guide for the future studies on sustainable lobster fishery management approach.

Keywords: Lobsters fishery, Southern coast, Panulirus homarus, Tar spots, Sri Lanka
Toxicity of Tributyltin (TBT) on Zebrafish Embryos
Authors: Bandara K.R.V.  , Manage P.M.
Published: June 2022

Tributyltin is known as an endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which are abundant in the aquatic environment. The toxicological research using fish embryos as a model has received considerable interest. In the present study, Zebrafish Fish Embryo Toxicity test (FET) was used to observe the chronic toxicity effects of TBT. FET analysis was carried out for 6 different TBT concentrations (half diluted concentrations) of 100,50,25,12.5,6.2 and 3.1 ng/L. Embryo tests were initiated after 3 hours (~128 cells). Twenty (20 eggs) fertilized eggs were selected for each test concentration and transferred to 24‐well plates filled with 2 ml freshly prepared different TBT concentrations (test solutions) and negative control (water). Fertilized eggs were placed in the 24-well plates by using sterilized pipette under the dissecting microscope. The 24‐well plates were then covered with self‐adhesive foil and incubated at 26° C±1° C for 3 days. Coagulation, heartbeat of the embryo and mortality lethal endpoints were recorded using a dissecting microscope after 8,24,48 and 96 hours. LC50 values were determined by graphically of mortality % vs log TBT concentrations. Triplicates experiments were performed for the FET test. The results revealed that 100% coagulations of the embryos at TBT doses of 50 and 100 ng/L. Therefore, the coagulation is significantly increasing in a dose-dependent manner and TBT might induce coagulation and infertilization of Zebrafish embryo. Heart beat changes were found in a dose-dependent manner with a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05) occurred at different TBT doses. LC50 values of TBT for Zebrafish embryo were 19.9,11.7,7.3 and 5.2 ng/L at 8,24,48 and 96 hours respectively. The percentage of mortality was higher in embryos for the trace level of TBT, indicating that embryos are more sensitive to TBT toxicity. Exposure to TBT during 8 hours or more always caused mortality, increasing with longer exposure times. A continuous exposure until 96 hours showed the highest toxicity (LC50=5.2 ng/L). The exposed during the first 8 hours the compound showed less toxicity (LC50=19.9 ng/L) compared to those exposed at 96 hour post fertilization (p<0.0001) when the embryos are already hatched. This result suggests that the continuous exposure of TBT cause to the most toxic to Zebrafish embryo with lethal endpoint.
Keywords: Tributyltin, Fish Embryo Toxicity, Lethal concentration, Zebrafish
Optimization of Waste Collection and Transportation in Ratmalana Area in Sri Lanka
Authors: Joseph R.  , Gunaratne M.D.N.
Published: June 2022

At present solid waste management has become a national concern where all the local governments, provincial governments, and the central governments seek for sustainable solutions. Much of the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management cost in Sri Lanka is allocated for waste collection and transportation rather than for waste disposal and treatment. The objective of this study is to minimize the total cost of solid waste collection and transportation. This enables a direct reduction in the fuel cost, labour cost, emission due to transportation which results in a significant reduction in the total cost of MSW management. The waste collection process was studied in Ratmalana area, which is a suburb in Colombo District in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, where many households and industries are located, and the factories discharge raw untreated waste into open drains leading to natural waterways or low-lying lands. The current practice of waste collection and transportation refers to collecting all the waste from households and factories and other institutions to the disposal station at Karadiyana, Pilyandala using four tractors along the settled routes. The study mainly relies on secondary data in relation to collected and transported quantities of waste by date, by four tractors in the month of September 2020. Linear programming (LP) techniques were applied to route optimization to reduce the daily total traveling distance of waste collection and transportation. Compared to the existing solid waste collection and transportation process from sources to the collection center along six (6) roads in Ratmalana area, the proposed heuristic solution for solid waste collection and transportation problem will significantly be reduced the daily average transporting distance from 86.29 km to 55.06 km with a reduction of 31.23 km (decrease in total distance is 36.2%). As a result, it is required only three (3) tractors (with 3,000 kg capacity) instead of 4 carriers deployed currently and the labour requirement will be reducing from 12 labours to 9 labours. In addition to those advantages of the proposed LP model, the number of vehicles reduced from 4 to 3 on a daily basis. The application of LP techniques will provide many advantages in terms of minimizing number of vehicles deployed, fuel cost, vehicle maintenance cost and labour cost and reduction in emission with the optimization of the resource utilization.

Keywords: Waste, Collection, Transportation, Linear programming
Divisional Administration for Conservation of Environment in Sri Lanka: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Dissanayake D.M.S.B.  , Jayasinghe I.D.C.
Published: June 2022

The Transfer of Powers (Divisional Secretaries’) Act No. 58 of 1992 enhanced the powers andfunctions of the divisional administration system, and also merged the central government and provincial governments at the divisional levels, creating a new power center for development planning, regulation, and resourcing. The divisional administration carries functions under several laws including Land Development Ordinance, State Land Ordinance, Land Acquisition Act, State Land Recovery Act, Land Development (Special Provision) Act, Forest Ordinance, Agrarian Development Act, and Irrigation Ordinance. Natural resources are the key to the rural economy in Sri Lanka and natural resource depletion is accelerated by anthropogenic causes such as population pressure, encroachment, and over-extraction of natural resources. Environmental pollution and degradation challenge sustainable development significantly. The objective of this paper is to examine the potentiality of divisional administration in environmental conservation, focusing on the legitimate powers vested. Qualitative methodology was used for the research, a desk review was done with the relevant legal sources; acts, regulations, and judgments, and challenges were examined through ten key informant interviews. The study identifies that the divisional has a three-fold role in environmental conservation; land management, development management, and law enforcement. The divisional administration holds the guardianship of the state land and associated natural resources, with powers of granting or leasing land for settlements or developments, and is also responsible for the land use planning. In the perspective of development management, the divisional administration is more significant as it has opportunities to coordinate the development through various committees, mitigate climate change impact and natural disasters, and provide development assistance and relief. The wider regulation powers vested with the divisional administration is ranging from issuance of permits to enforcing laws against unlawful acts. This function directly relates to controlling deforestation and encroachment and managing over and illegal extraction of natural resources. The significant element of the divisional administration for environmental conservation is the availability of a vertical mechanism connecting the community at a lower level to the respective departments at the higher levels and the horizontal mechanism connecting all public, private, and community organizations. However, the study reveals several challenges such as the nature of political and community priorities that limit divisional administration in environmental conservation. The study recommends that recognition and revaluation of the role of divisional administration in environmental conservation are timely essential.

Keywords: Divisional administration, Environmental conservation, Land management, Development management, Law enforcement
dentification of Loss Hot Spots of the Post-harvest Chain during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case of Banana and Mango Supply Chain
Authors: Dinesha O.G.R.  , De Silva D.A.M.
Published: June 2022

Banana and mango are the main types of fruit crop cultivated in Polonnaruwa District. Income generated from commercial level fruit cultivations help farmers to manage their household economy. COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown, curfew, restricted movements and closure of public markets and economic centers significantly damage the fresh produce supply chains of the country, especially in key farming areas like Polonnaruwa. Present study was conducted to identify the loss hot spots of the papaya and mango supply chain during COVID-19 pandemic, measure the economic loss and find out the social consequences of it. A total sample of 75 respondents, including farmers, collectors, wholesellers, transporters, and retailers randomly selected from three Divisional Secretariats (Madirigiriya, Hingurakgoda, Thamankaduwa) of Polonnaruwa District. Data were analysis by using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Primary data were gathered through a field survey using a structured questionnaire, focus group interviews, in-depth interviews, and participatory observations. Both banana and mango supply chains were shorter, fragile and concentrated regionally. Regional public markets and dedicated economic centers were connecting regional supply chains into national level. Mango supply chains showed two different structures; most common one has similar structure of banana and the other type ended up with exporters. Closure of market operations crippled the regional supply chains and farmers unable to sell their products. Postharvest losses were high at farm gate, farmers hardly receive any income. Limited number of farmers was able to sell fruits to mobile vendors at very low prices. Some had to throw their rotting crops into piles of rubbish with miserable, which could not be sold because of restrictions on circulation. In addition to that collapse of the tourism industry, the majority of wholesale buyers reduced average purchases and tried to get the harvest from farmers at a lower price. New retail formats were born during the pandemic and most common were the mobile retailers. Household economies of the farmers faced severe financial crisis and issue were doubled with the extra financial requirements for the children’s online education. Resources waste reached to the highest level and farmer debts reached to alarming levels.

Keywords: Post-harvest chain, COVID-19, Banana and mango
Sea Level Rise in the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka
Authors: Indika K.W
Published: June 2022

Sea level variation is short and long term fluctuation of water level by the forces of the location’s astronomical, meteorological and hydrological properties. The volume of the ocean has been increasing by absorption of additional heat accumulated in the atmosphere by natural and anthropogenic activities during the last few decades. The high-frequency in-situ sea level observation from Mirissa station and satellite altimetry data from ECMWE, AVISO were used for the analysis of sea level dynamics from 1993 to 2021 in the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The Harmonic analysis tool for MATLAB version was used to quantify tidal constituents and derivation of tidal pattern based on form factor as presented Hicks in 2006. The resulted in tidal pattern is mixed semidiurnal (F=0.275, Range: 0.25 to 1.5), which is included two high tides (50 cm) and two low tides (11 cm) per day with different strengths within the micro-tidal category in the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The most dominant tidal constitutes are semidiurnal lunar (M2) through 0.082 cph frequency with 95% of significant level. The Power Spectral Density (PSD) of the tidal spectrum was captured two dominant peaks related to M2 and S2. The satellite-derived monthly average sea level fluctuation shows a significant seasonal signal with a range of 18-22 cm during the last 22 years on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The maximum seasonal sea level variation was recorded from December to January, while the minimum from July to August. The peak month on the southern-coast is slightly later and lower than the peak month on the east-coast. The seasonal variation of the Southern coast is comparable to that of Sri Lanka’s west coast. During the last five years, the maximum extreme sea level height recorded was less than 1 m. The long term sea level variation is a positive trend with approximately 3.12 mm per year in the Southern coast of Sri Lanka.

Keywords: Sea level, Seasonal, Sea level rise, Tide, Extreme height
Environmental and Security Issues Posed by Marine Tourism to Sri Lanka’s Marine Ecosystem
Authors: Premarathna P.K.B.I.
Published: June 2022

Sri Lanka is a small island in the Indian Ocean. The maritime environment has long been one of the most attractive settings for tourism and recreation. The concept of maritime tourism comprises all tourism activities linked to the sea and the coastline. In addition to the function of pleasure boats and sails, it allows for a wide range of bodily functions such as water skiing, windsurfing, underwater fishing, scuba diving, swimming, and marine park tours. Numerous reports on the socioeconomic and environmental effects of environmental change and adaptation, including such changes in marine and coastal contexts, have been published in the scientific literature on sustainability. The objective of the study is to investigate the environmental and security risks posed by the maritime tourism industry to Sri Lanka's marine ecosystem. Qualitative methodology was used for this research and secondary data sources were also used. The research work was carried out by analyzing the literary sources in multiple ways and for data analysis SPSS was used. Tourism adds another layer of challenges to our marine environment, and its rapid global growth means those challenges have multiplied dramatically over the past few years. Tourism’s impact on the marine environment examines these trends in detail. The impact of tourism on oceans’ waste, waste and plastics. A bi-directional relationship between climate change and global warming and marine environments and coastal tourist destinations and Impacts of recreational activities such as diving and offshore fishing on the marine environment, including coral reefs. The consumption of marine resources to meet the tourist demand for products of the sea and souvenirs that impoverish the oceanic resources. Natural and man-made disasters that have their origins in the oceans, but affect coastal tourism destinations. The challenges of marine tourism planning and management, as well as the impacts of the construction of new resorts and tourism infrastructure. According to all these studies factors, the maritime tourism industry in Sri Lanka has a number of irregular problems. This seems to have an impact on maritime security and the ecosystem as well.

Keywords: Environment, Security issues, Marine tourism, Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystem
Conversion of a Garbage Dump Yard into a Landscape Recreational Park: A Study of Impact on Human Perception with Reference to the Meethotamulla Rehabilitation Project
Authors: Rekha K.A.P.Y.
Published: June 2022

Solid waste is one of the main global issues that arise due to the malfunctioning of solid waste management. It creates an adverse effect on environmental, social, and economical aspects of human wellbeing. Sanitary landfill is a proper solution on solid waste management (SWM) which results in closed landfills leads to implement landscape architectural interventions as a secondary use. Meethotamulla garbage dump yard is one of the main examples which can be identified as a newly implemented project which converts a dump yard into a landscape recreational park for the first time in Sri Lanka. The objective of this study is to identify the impact of this conversion on the human perception of the surrounding community within the micro context and the study will be a motivative study on the landscape architectural approach in Sri Lanka. Changes in human perception were compared according to past, present, and future conditions of the community by using 30 participants who were selected randomly. Participants were selected according to a residential location under limitations such as distance from the dump yard, residential type, and age group. Information processing theory, prospect-refuge theory, Berlyne’s arousal theory, and theory of biophilia were used as the theoretical base for studying the impact on human perception (five senses) through a live interview. After analyzing data, the impact of the conversion on human perception has been affected positively by creating new landscape qualities and a comfortable environment. Initially, the Meethotamulla dump yard has changed the behavioral pattern of the community while leading to anincrease in illegal activities, drop-in educational level, and stressful environment etc. With the development of the recreational park, negative impacts have been controlled and pleasant landscape qualities like calm, pleasing, picturesque, spaciousness, and openness etc. have been improved. As a result, coherence, legibility, complexity, imageability, naturalness, visual scale, novelty, and surprisingness are landscape concepts that have been encouraged. The physical and mental health of the community has been positively impacting and it will be continued in the future as well.

Keywords: Meethotamulla dump yard, Meethotamulla rehabilitation project, Solid waste management, Sanitary landfill, Landscape recreational park
Product Water Footprint on Rice Cultivation in Intermediate Zone, Sri Lanka: A Case Study in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Palliyaguru M.P.G.N.M.  , Navaratne C.M.  , Wickramasinghe D.D.  , Nanayakkara C.M.
Published: June 2022

Water consumption by crops for ensuring food security for a growing population has become a threat to the limited natural resource of freshwater. In order to consume water in a sustainable manner for food productions, the concept of Water Footprint came into practice. Since the rice is the most water consuming crop compared to other food crops, a study was conducted to quantify the total water footprint: the volume of freshwater (m3) that needs to grow a tonne of rice including freshwater volume needed to assimilate polluted water of rice fields due to the application of chemical fertilizers. An experiment was carried out under two conditions: controlled run-off and continual run-off at selected two locations in Kurunegala District in the Low Country Intermediate Zone, Sri Lanka from 2015 to 2016 for four consecutive cropping seasons with three replicates. Greywater footprints (WFgrey) for both sites were estimated based on the estimated leaching runoff fraction related to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers based on the site-specific data. The WFgrey for rice cultivated under the controlled run-off condition for N and P were 192±34 m3/t and 39±07 m3/t respectively. Under the continual runoff situation, WFgrey was varied showing 198±42 m3/t for N and 58±03 m3/t for P. This study revealed that the critical element for water pollution is nitrogen associated with rice cultivation and a considerable amount of nitrogen leaching and runoff could occur through paddy cultivation. The green and blue water footprints for both sites were estimated with the CROPWAT model by crop water requirement option according to the Water Footprint Assessment Manual. This study discovered that under the complimentary irrigation, the total water footprint for paddy production for run-off controlled condition was 1,370±294 m3/t (WFgreen:705, WFblue:473, WFgrey:192 m3/t) for the yield of 4.2 t/ha and for the continual run-off situation was 1,393±456 m3/t (WFgreen:604, WFblue:591, WFgrey:198 m3/t) for the yield of 4.5 t/ha. It expressed the volume of water required for the production of one tonne of paddy in Kurunegala District, Intermediate Zone, Sri Lanka for the period from 2015-2016. The experimental values are somewhat less with respect to the global average of 1,519 m3/t for the rice under irrigated agriculture system for the yield of 4.67 t/ha. It was revealed that site differences, variation of agronomical practices were not significantly affected on the estimated total water footprint of the production of rice for the experimental period in the given settings.

Keywords: Water footprint, Paddy, Nitrate, Phosphate

Acknowledgement: Authors acknowledge the Rice Research and Development Institute and the Coconut Development Authority
Production of Textile Ink using Waste Cotton
Authors: De Silva G.K.D.  , De Silva D.J.
Published: June 2022

The use of eco-friendly ink for textiles is one of the alternatives to reduce the accumulation of toxic chemicals in biosphere. It is a creative answer for the waste management of textiles and other industries and a green concept as well. The usage of findings explained in the paper is far beyond the conventional uses of green chemistry with the advancement of science and technology. The production of ink using waste cotton contributes to the preservation of our environment from various hazardous chemicals with the use of water-based ink system which is environmentally friendly and safe for humans and all other living organisms. In this research project waste cotton fibers (cellulose fibers) are converted into the ink base for textile. Cotton fibers (cellulose fibers) were dissolved in N,N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl) solvent system and converted into a clear cellulose solution and then step by step added thickener (Polylactic acid and glycerin system) and finally natural pigments make it a whole new natural textile ink. Here, basically Anthocyanins were used as the pigment/colorant. Using Anthocyanin is advantageous in many ways such as the vast availability, easy obtainability of the preferred colors and cost-effectiveness. Cellulose polymer and pigments particles have hydroxyls groups that can create hydrogen bonds with water as well as the natural fabrics (especially cotton). So, due to this reason ink is developed as a water base ink which is more viable task when comparing with other ink production processes. The produced water base ink has a good adhesion with fabric which can be seen in trials followed with manual screen printing. It serves as a great alternative to plastisol and other solvent based inks in many circumstances. One of the most prominent features of this newly formed ink is that the base does not include plastic or any hazardous man-made chemical. These kind of water-based inks seeps in to the garment rather than sitting top of the fabric. This creates a more consistent feel and a very good hand feel along with a better revived look after a few washes. Trials from the manufactured ink are carried out to test color fastness, color migration, wash durability, perspiration and dry/wet crocking of prints. Durability and crocking test results are already available. Durability test resulted 4.0 according to the AATCC135 washing method at 30 C, within five wash cycles. Crocking test was done in both dry and wet conditions according to AATCC008/AACC116 method which gave results 4.5 and 4.0 respectively. Results already finalized are passed the international standards and looking forward for the balance test results.

Keywords: Waste management, Eco-friendly, Chemistry, Polymer, Textiles
A Preliminary Study on the Level of Noise Attenuation by a Natural Green Hedge
Authors: Amarasingha N.D.  , Bodhika J.A.P.
Published: June 2022

Traffic noise can be considered a weightless pollutant, and it is far growing daily in urban areas all over the world. Few countries have started to introduce sound barriers to minimize a significant amount of traffic noise. This study investigates the sound reduction ability of a natural green hedge in applying as a noise barrier. The study result is based on a naturally grown green fence of Small Nuga (Ficus benjamina) having a high packing factor with thickness×height×length of 2.0×4.0×6.0 m3. The average weight of the fresh plant of a unit volume of the fence is 5.6 kg. Handheld sound analyzer (IEC 60651, B&K 2250L, class 1) and B&K omni-directional dodecahedron sound source (0.8-3.15 kHz) type 2734-A amplifier (50-5,000 Hz, 1/3 octave bands) are the primary equipment used for the study. The speaker was placed 1 m away from the fence and 1.2 m above the ground. The transmitted sound through the fence was monitored for three locations in a line of 1 m, 2 m, and 3 m with the same speaker level. All exterior sounds were avoided during the measurements. Sound propagation after the green fence was estimated and mapped using iNoise software (version 2021.1) and ArcMap software (version 10.7.1). The study reveals that the vegetation barrier could reduce 34.4% of the incident acoustic energy, and approximately 26 dB of noise drop was identified at a point 2 m away from the vegetation barrier. The adequately structured noise barrier will effectively increase noise reduction.

Keywords: Traffic noise, Vegetation barriers, Sound absorption, Noise reduction
Preliminary Study on Existing Scenario of Selected Soil Properties in Cheddikulum Grama Niladhari Division Vavuniya District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Madhushani K.G.S.  , Ranasinghe U.D.S.S.
Published: June 2022

The productivity of the soil has changed into the worst condition knowingly or unknowingly by anthropogenic activities as well as natural phenomena. The study was conducted to quantify selected soil properties in Cheddikulum Grama Niladhari division, Vavuniya District and find reclaim the problem soil and make suggestions to cultivate the crop variety suitable for the existing soil properties since this area is a recently rehabilitated area. Fifty composite samples were selected for the research using the stratified random sampling method. Stratification was based on the type of land cover, and following land cover patterns were identified agriculture land patches, forest patches, and grassland patches. Soils were collected from top to 30 cm depth (root zone) using a core sampler, and subsamples were collected to obtain composite samples. Soil samples were analyzed for pH, EC, organic matter content, total nitrogen, exchangeable potassium, and available phosphorous. 14.8% of agricultural land area was acidic soil and 4.7% alkaline soil. 15.3% of agricultural land area was identified as saline soil. 67.11% of agricultural lands contain more phosphorous concentration than the optimum range. 4.7% of agricultural lands contain higher potassium concentrations than the optimum range. 94% of forest lands and 100% of grasslands contains phosphorous concentration higher than the optimum range. But forest lands showed a lower level of potassium concentration. 23.6% of grasslands contain higher potassium than the optimum level. Organic matter ranged between 0.01% to 5.43% in agricultural lands where 82% of total nitrogen concentrations were the optimum level. Agriculture practices lead to change in the soil; hence identified soil problems should be reclaimed in order to maintain the fertility of the soil for sustainable production. Proper management of soil can be a better solution for supporting the successful agricultural activity of the community in the future and socio-economic development of this region and need to be adhering to crop variety selection and soil reclamation practices.

Keywords: Productivity, Soil problems, Soil reclamation
Status of the Fishery in Mount Lavinia, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Authors: Jeewanthi L.G.S.  , Silva T.D.H.N.  , Jayamanne J.M.D.N.P.  , Jayasundara W.M.B.S.  , Bandara A.G.G.C.
Published: June 2022

Mount Lavina has become popular due to its unique ecological and recreational qualities which is a limited resource within the Colombo Metropolitan Area. But it also consists of a small fisher community. However the scale of this community is still unknown. Therefore this project was initiated to analyze and review the status of the fisher community in the area. The study was conducted for a 4 month period in weekly intervals. Sociological survey was conducted to assess the status of fishery while separate study conducted to identify the Bycatch species of beach seine fishery. According to the results, there were a total 160 fishermen and 60 boats. Four different mesh sizes were used and almost half of the fishermen used 6 mm size. The main targeted species were squids, Caranx spp., Tuna spp., rock fishes and lobsters which depend on the season and the type of the net. According to statistics, the daily salary ranged between Rs.500-15,000. Crew members were paid by the boat owner and it deepened on the amount of catch and fuel prices. For the non-working days crew members rely on other part time jobs. There were three traditional beach seines operated in the area only in specific seasons (September-January). Study identified 52 species caught in the beach seine fishery. Among them, 27 were Bycatch species. Most Bycatch species were puffers, sharks and rays by weight. Most of them were discarded while others were sold to dry fish markets. Moreover turtles and jellyfishes were recorded as non-fish Bycatch. The study is being continued as a long-term by-catch study to evaluate the intensity of the Bycatch in traditional fishery

Keywords: Bycatch, Caranx species, Beach seine, Sociology survey, Sri Lanka
The influence of the development of digital technologies on consumer behaviour
Authors:   Azov State Technical University, Gorokhova T.
Published: June 2022

The digital technologies and social media have led to the evolution of consumer behaviour were determined. Consumer behaviour in the digital age, digital marketing strategies, digital business models such as mobile applications or the shared economy have been studied. The concept of digital strategies is revealed: content marketing, user experience, influencers marketing, user-generated content, digital word of mouth. Key words: consumer behaviour, digital economy, digital technologies, strategies.
Analysis of Bank Deposit Operations: Condition, Problems and Improvements
Authors:   Vinnytsia National Agrarian University, Mulyk Tetiana
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Introduction. The determining share of bank resources is formed in the process of implementation of deposit operations, the productivity of which depends on the stability, sufficiency and liquidity of banks. They need to systematically maintain proper customer service, use the latest deposit products and investment requirements to expand their customer base. That is why the assessment of the bank's deposit operations, identifying their problems and areas for improvement is very important. Purpose. The purpose of the article is to study the state of deposit operations of domestic banks, identify their problems and improve. Results. The article examines the essence of deposits, which is regulated by various regulations. The classification of deposits on various grounds is considered. The focus is on such types of deposits as: time deposits and demand deposits, their disadvantages and advantages are presented. The analysis of deposit operations in Ukraine is carried out. In particular, the following was assessed during 2010-2020: dynamics of residents 'deposits, dynamics of non-residents' deposits, residents 'deposits by maturity, residents' deposits by types of currencies, corporate and retail deposits, distribution of retail deposits by groups of banks and value of time deposits by data of statistical reporting of banks of Ukraine. It is indicated that in the development of deposits over the past ten years there are both quantitative and qualitative trends that reflect certain aspects of banks' deposit policy. Currently, there is a situation when the amount of deposits increases by sectors of the economy, in terms of types of currencies and maturities and the cost of their use decreases. The main problems of the deposit operations market of Ukraine as well as the directions of improving the efficiency of banks' deposit policy are identified. Conclusions. The study shows that currently there is a situation where the amount of deposits increases by sectors of the economy, in terms of types of currencies and maturities, and the cost of their use decreases. Summarizing the practice of banks and the views of scientists, identified the main problems of the deposit market of Ukraine. The directions of improvement of banks 'deposit policy are also covered, namely, introduction and expansion of innovative banking services, restoration of depositors' confidence in banks, modernization of deposit policy on the basis of modern inquiries, increase of interest in placing funds on deposit accounts.
Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on the Single Case Study Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Shabina Noor , Hussain Zaidi Abid , Rani Sunita
Published: June 2022

This study is a single case therapeutic intervention based report; we have to design pre and post assessment with the help of some psychological rating tools. The present study examined to the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral and some techniques used of same therapeutic relational approaches, this is a pure or predominant obsession is a subtype of obsessive compulsive disorder case according to (ICD-11 under the categories “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with fair to good Insight, 6B20.0. Depressive Disorder, GA 34.41. Generalized Anxiety Disorder, 6B00”). This study used based of cognitive behavior, CBT Model, ERP and used multiple therapeutic techniques of Cognitive behavioral therapy. The present study W, 23 yrs old married male came with chief complaints of the multiple blasphemous thoughts, unwanted sexual images running in the mind, unseen images of sexual area of mother and God since 12 years and seen multiple symptoms of the generalized anxiety or depressive psychopathology. Studying in graduation and belong to middle SES according to kuppuswamy scale. He brought by his parents in IMHH, Agra in OPD and done pre assessment before the applied therapy session. His result showed high severity of OCD symptoms. After 3 months again applied same tools, and seen approximately 50% to 55% major reduction his symptoms that further gradually decreased his symptoms and sessions continued till 2 months. Follow-up continued and patient no longer meet the criteria for OCD, Generalized Anxiety disorders and Depressive symptoms.
Book Forum
Authors: Karioris Frank G. , Elam J. Daniel , Samuel Rupali Francesca , Wan Marco , Wong Alvin K. , Sheikh Danish
Published: June 2022

The Journal of Bodies, Sexualities, and Masculinities is honored to present this book forum on Danish Sheikh’s recent collection Love and Reparation: A Theatrical Response to the Section 377 Litigation in India (2021). The book is a pair of plays or performance pieces that each, in their own way, address the worlds created in the interstice between law and the lives of queer people.
The Temporality of and Competition between Infrastructures
Authors: Xing Jack Linzhou
Published: June 2022

This article examines the competition between taxis and e-hailing from the perspective of the temporality of infrastructures, which refers to 1) decay and maintenance of infrastructures, 2) imaginations of infrastructures regarding old, new, past, and future, and 3) the (spatio)temporal experience of infrastructure supporters. I propose that taxis and e-hailing are simultaneously transport and livelihood infrastructures that facilitate passengers’ and drivers' lives, and that they are maintained by the two parties. One reason that taxis are maintained in this competition lies in taxi drivers’ preference for taxis as a livelihood infrastructure. The article highlights infrastructure supporters’ labor and spatiotemporal experience, emphasizes the importance of the perspective of the decay and maintenance of infrastructures, and proposes a dialectic view of the infrastructure-related imaginations of old and new, especially in a context in which disruptive innovations in infrastructural technologies are continuously emerging.
Atlantics
Authors: Montenegro Tina
Published: June 2022

Mati Diop’s 2019 feature film Atlantics won the Grand Prix at Cannes that year. It is a polyphonic tale of migration, love, loss, and fantasy that takes place in Dakar, Senegal. Using fantasy and mystery to create opacity, as defined by the writer and theorist of postcolonialism Édouard Glissant, Diop seeks to give dignity to the victims of migration and to invite viewers to establish a relationship with the film. The combination of diverse poetic lines gives the film striking richness and resonance, as well as the ability to comment on ociopolitical issues without being limited to one interpretation. Despite the immobility of the problems she brings to the screen, Diop transmits hope for other mobilities, which she herself brings to life and embodies.
DYNAMICS OF GOOSE GROWTH WITH THE COMBINED USE OF PROBIOTIC VETOM 1 AND ENROFLAXACIN
Authors: Yakovleva N. S. , Nozdrin A. G. , Yakovleva M. S. , Ermakova L. P. , Maykova M. E.
Published: June 2022

This article presents data on the effect of the probiotic preparation Vetom 1 based on the spore-forming bacteria strain Bacillus subtilis DSM 32424. The authors also presented the combined effect of Vetom 1 and a 10 % enrofloxacin solution on the growth rate of geese. Throughout the experiment, the geese were kept in floor cages on deep, non-replaceable bedding. The authors formed three experimental and control groups of 10 goslings each according to the principle of peer pairing. The goslings of the experimental groups were given the probiotic Vetom 1; Vetom 1 in combination with enrofloxacin with subsequent replacement by the probiotic Vetom 1. Geese of the control group were not given the drug. The authors observed an increase in the absolute weight and average daily gain of the experimental geese under the effect of the studied preparations. The authors found a pronounced mass gain when applying Vetom 1 at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight once a day for 30 days. When using Vetom 1, a pronounced average daily gain in goslings was observed both on day 15 and during the period of the drugs after action (day 30-60). The preparations in the studied doses have no toxic effect on the body of geese.
Un nuevo registro de Andalgalomys olrogi (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) en Catamarca, República Argentina, amplía su distribución altitudinal y ambiental
Authors: Ortiz-Tempel P. Günther , Jayat J. Pablo , Ortiz Pablo E.
Published: June 2022

A partir del estudio de dos muestras de egagrópilas de Tyto furcata colectadas en Alumbrera, a 1650 m s.n.m. en el extremo norte del Campo del Pucará, departamento Andalgalá, Catamarca, Argentina, presentamos un novedoso registro para el roedor sigmodontino Andalgalomys olrogi Williams and Mares, 1978. Documentamos por primera vez la presencia de esta especie a más de 1300 m de altitud y en un ambiente de pastizales de neblina de Yungas (parcialmente modificados por actividades antrópicas). Su escasa representación en las muestras estudiadas (menor a 1,6%) sugiere que el Campo del Pucará representa un área marginal dentro de su rango de distribución.
Pregled sredstava za zaštitu bilja i ostalih proizvoda prikladnih za ekološku proizvodnju
Authors: Antolković Ana Marija
Published: June 2022

Ekološka sredstva za zaštitu bilja 2022. sadrži pregled amaterskih i profesionalnih sredstava za zaštitu bilja, ojačivača, feromona, repelenata i drugih proizvoda pogodnih za korištenje u ekološkoj proizvodnji. U pregledu su navedene formulacije, djelatne tvari, proizvođač/distributer te način primjene proizvoda. S obzirom da je ekološka proizvodnja zahtjevna, te je potrebno koristiti certificirane proizvode, preporuka je unaprijed tražiti eko certifikat od proizvođača ili trgovca. Svaka primjena sredstava za zaštitu bilja, kao i drugih proizvoda na bilo koji drugi način od navedenog u uputi za korištenje i na etiketi obavlja se isključivo na vlastitu odgovornost.
Utjecaj biološkog preparata na zarazu klijanaca pšenice s Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Ergović Lara , Siber Tamara , Vrandečić Karolina , Popović Brigita
Published: June 2022

Dosadašnji načini kontrole uzročnika bolesti koji, među ostalim, podrazumijevaju uporabu fungicida prema novim zakonodavnim okvirima i novim strategijama u biljnom zdravstvu nailaze na sve veće restrikcije. Pronalaženje nekemijskih sredstava za zaštitu usjeva od biološki preparat, Fusarium graminearum, pšenica, zrnobolesti je od velikog interesa za poljoprivrednu proizvodnju, stoga je u našem istraživanju ispitan učinak novog biološkog preparata (BP) za kontrolu gljive Fusarium graminearum na klijancima pšenice. Biološki preparat primijenjen je na tri različita načina: inokulacijom zrna pšenice, zalijevanjem, te inokulacijom zrna i zalijevanjem. Utvrđeno je kako se intenzitet bolesti primjenom BP smanjuje, a najbolji rezultati dobiveni su inokulacijom zrna prije sjetve dok je zalijevanje površine BP polučilo slabije rezultate. Također, ukoliko je zrno već tretirano biološkim preparatom dodatna aplikacija zalijevanjem nije bila opravdana ni s ekološkog ni s ekonomskog aspekta.
Upotreba kaolinske gline u uzgoju voća
Authors: Soldo Tomislav , Duralija Boris , Benčić Đani , Mešić Aleksandar
Published: June 2022

Proizvodi na bazi kaolinske gline sve više se koriste u proizvodnji voća, a posebice onoj ekološkoj. Posljednjih godina prisutan je trend značajnog smanjenja broja dozvoljenih konvencionalnih sredstava za zaštitu bilja od štetnih organizama, što za posljedicu ima i postupni prijelaz s konvencionalne na ekološku proizvodnju voća. U ovom radu prikazane su mogućnosti korištenja proizvoda na bazi kaolinske gline u voćarstvu. Predstavljene su mogućnosti korištenja kaolinske gline u zaštiti od štetnika i bolesti, smanjenju ekološkog stresa uzrokovanog visokim temperaturama, zaštiti od ožegotina, povećanju uroda, poboljšanom obojenju i kvaliteti ploda. Kaolinska glina ima velike mogućnosti za unaprjeđenje voćarske proizvodnje u Republici Hrvatskoj, napose u ekološkoj proizvodnji, gdje zbog svoje široke primjene i učinkovitosti postaje praktički nezaobilazna.