Faculty of Technology

Isolation And Morphology Identification Of Actinomycetes Showing Antibacterial activity Against Human Pathogenic Bacteria

2026-06-02T21:31:16Z

Isolation And Morphology Identification Of Actinomycetes Showing Antibacterial activity Against Human Pathogenic Bacteria Wijesudara, S.A.R.D.K. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health tfueat that occurs when pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites develop the ability to resist the drugs designed to kill them. This resistance makes infections harder to treat and increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. Actinomycetes are a diverse group of gram-positive bacteria that are known to produce a wide range of bioactive compounds and offer a promising altemative in the fight against resistant microbes. The study aim is to isolate and morphology identify actinomycetes from different soil surroundings in the Eastern University premises, demonstrating strong antibacterial effects against prevalent human pathogens. Nine different actinomycete strains were obtained and identified morphologically and with the help of biochemical tests such as gram staining. The results of Gram staining also indicated that all the isolates were Gram-positive due to their thick cell walls and their high capacity to produce antibiotics. In antibacterial activity screening, several strains showed significant efficacy against common human pathogens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (P<0.05). Notably, strains labelled A 1 , F 1 , and S 1 demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, suggesting their potential as sources of new antibiotics. The improved antibacterial efficiency and the greater colony-forming ability of the strains obtained from the swanip area prove the impact of the environment on actinomycetes' growth and activity (P<0.05). Physio-chemical analysis of the soil samples found that the swamp area's neutral pH, high moisture, and rich organic content provided a conducive environment for actinomycetes proliferation (P<0.05). These findings highlight the critical role of environmental factors in shaping actinomycetes' diversity and antibacterial potential. This study helps to better comprehend the factors of actinomycetes distribution in various types of soils and indicates the directions for searching new antibiotics.

Investigation On The Impact Of Automated Drip Irrigation Over Rain-Fed Irrigation On Tea Cultivation

2026-06-02T21:30:56Z

Investigation On The Impact Of Automated Drip Irrigation Over Rain-Fed Irrigation On Tea Cultivation Madhuranga, B.W.D. In tea cultivation areas, water is a scarce resource, and the current system largely depends on rainfall and natural springs, with no formal techniques documented. While continuous watering is not necessary for healthy tea plants, the first year of growth is critical, requiring reliable inigation. Climate changes, such as global warming and deforestation, have made rainfall pattems in Sri Lanka unpredictable, posing a threat to rain-fed agriculture. This unpredictability can lead to water stress in tea plants, potentially harming their health and productivity, ultimately affecting future tea production. Nowadays, many estates owners are focusing and trying to adopt drip inigation at their tea estates. Based on this, the present study was conducted to study the impact of automated drip inigation over natutal rainfed irrigation on tea cultivation area. A Randomized Complete Block Design was employed with ten replications and three treatments (T1: without drip irrigation, T2: with drip irrigation, T3: drip inigation with fertigation). The growth parameters measured included the number of branches per plant, length of plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf area per plant, and yield parameters of the tea leaves length, tea leaves grith, tea leaves weight, tea leaves yield per plant. These findings suggest that there is no significant difference in plant growth and yield parameters with different treatments (P>0.05) during this growth stage of the plant. It also found that continuous irrigation is not always necessary for healthy tea plants and it might be more useful for the first twelve months of the young plants and inigation needs to be dependable and effective while the tea plants are growing at the initial stage.

Effect Of Foliar Application Of Natural Fertilizers On Growth And Yield Of OKRA ( Abelmoschus Esculentus L )

2026-06-02T21:30:55Z

Effect Of Foliar Application Of Natural Fertilizers On Growth And Yield Of OKRA ( Abelmoschus Esculentus L ) Priyadarshani, k.G.N This experiment evaluates the effect of foliar application of banana and orange peei sap combine with inorganic fertilizer on growth and yield of okra. The study was carried out from Vlarch 2021 to June 2024 at the Facuif-v-- of Technology, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. The stud-v design is CRD with five featments and four replicates in this experiment. Treatments are Tr (Control) - The recommended amount of inorganic fertilizer by the Department of Agriculture (RDOA) , T2- 213 amount of RDOA and application of organic liquid fertilrzer 2 times, T:- 213 amount of RDOA and application of organic liquid fertilizer 3 times, Tr2l3 amount of RDOA and application of organic liquid fertilizer 4 times, Ts- application of organic liquid fertilizer 4 times. The paiameters such as number of ieaves per plant, plant height, and leaf area were measured at two-week intervals. Number of flowers per plant was obtained at 4th week after planting. Number of pods per plant and yield per plant were obtained at the time harvesting. Analysis of variance was performed to determine significant differences among treatments. According to the anai_v-sis of this study, the highest average vaiues for the plant height. leaf area, number of pods per plant and yield per plant were observed in treatment T+. Overall, the lowest average values tbr these parameters for observed in control treatment. According to the overall results of this study, it suggested that 4 times organic liquid fertilizer combined with 213 amount of inorganic fertilizer by RDOA provides better yield performance of okra. The application of organic liquid fertilizer made from banana and orange peels is a successfui and sustainable approach for reducing inorganic fertilizer requirement as well as increasing crop growth and yield of okra.

Impact Of Chemical Fertilizer Ban On Tea Production : Survey Of Sri Lankan Tea Industry Stakeholders

2026-06-02T21:30:54Z

Impact Of Chemical Fertilizer Ban On Tea Production : Survey Of Sri Lankan Tea Industry Stakeholders Nelundeniya, K.N.P. Due to its favourable climate and beautiful environment, Sri Lanka has long been known as a global tea powerhouse. Tea was first introduced by the British during their reign in Sri Lanka. Since then, Sri Lanka has been one of the greatest nations ever to produce tea throughout the world. The tea sector has been a major contributor to employment and export profits, and it has been a major cornerstone of the country's economy. This research explores how Sri Lanka's tea industry is affected by the chemical fertilizer ban in Sri Lanka which took place rn 202L This ban affected the tea industry on a high scale as the ban was effective immediately. Hence, to gather knowledge for this research, a quantitative research design was employed, analyzing data collected from a sample of tea factories and plantations. The information contained market pricing, the amoLrnt of tba produced, the use of fertilizer, and the adoption of alternative growing methods. The results show a significant drop in tea production after the restriction and a direct relationship befween fertilizer use and the yield of tea. Although the restriction successfully decreased the use of chemicals, it had a negative impact on production as a whole. The use of altemative fertilizers and their impact on tea production are also investigated in this study. Recommendations and policy implications are provided to help the tea sector make the shift to sustainable methods. ln the context of Sri Lanka's tea sector, the study advances knowledge of the intricate interactions that exist between agricultural policy, environmental sustainability, and economic consequences.