Chemistry

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Author: search.filters.author.Abeywickrama, K.P.Subject: search.filters.subject.export

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    Foliage preservatives for vase life extension of two dieffenbachia species
    (2010) Thambugala, S.; Abeywickrama, K.P.; Karunarathna, S.
    Cut foliage of Dieffenbachia maculata and Dieffenbachia amoena were subjected to continuous treatment with several foliage preservatives and export simulation. The preservatives used were 1.75% of sodium hypochlorite, 5% vinegar and VimTM dish washing detergent. Tap water without any added chemicals was used as the control. The highest vase life of 45.1 days was observed in D. maculata cut foliage when subjected to continuous treatment with tap water. Cut foliage of D. maculata subjected to continuous treatment with 0.016% (v/v) dish washing detergent (Vim™) solution and 0.016% (v/v) sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and subjected to export simulation for two days at 12-140 C and 85-90% relative humidity (RH), had relatively longer vase life of 38.9 days and 37 days respectively. Cut foliage of D. amoena had the longest vase life of 21 days when subjected to 0.016% NaOCl treatment and export simulation. NaOCl which is considered as a biocide and mild vinegar solution which is acidic inhibited the bacterial growth in vase solutions increasing the vase life of cut foliage. A Bacillus sp. and a Staphylococcus sp. were associated with vase solutions of D. maculata and D. amoena cut foliage. Treatment with NaOCl and VimTM satisfactorily extended the vase life of cut foliage of D. amoena and D. maculata respectively and could be recommended as preservatives for use during export.
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    Root growth promotion of Ficus species during air-layering
    (2010) Gamlath, M.; Abeywickrama, K.P.; Wickramarachchi, S.
    Three chitosan concentrations (1%, 3%, 5% w/v) were tested for their root growth promotion properties in air-layering of three popular ornamental Ficus species namely Ficus triangularis, Ficus microcarpa and Ficus benjamina. Subsequently, these treatment responses were compared with a rooting hormone (naphthalic acetic acid) and an organic root promoting extract (Root Most) available in the local market. Tap water was used as the control. Air-layered plants were further subjected to export simulation for 14 days at 12-14 0C and 90% relative humidity (RH) with the aim of lengthening the storage period. 3% (w/v) chitosan treatment concentration was shown to promote the root growth significantly. 3% (w/v) chitosan treatment resulted in the highest mean root length of (15.3 cm) in F. triangularis compared to the 10.3 cm of tap water control. Similarly, highest mean root length of 38.8 cm was recorded for F. microcarpa for 3% (w/v) chitosan treated layers compared to 14.8 cm of tap water treated layers. Further, the highest mean root density of 3.17 was recorded for 3% (w/v) chitosan treated layers of F. triangularis. A cost effective packaging system was developed during this research which could be utilized in cold storage of air-layers during air or sea freight.