International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences (IRSPAS)
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Item Contarinia maculipennis as an emerging threat to Dendrobium in Sri Lanka - A case study.(International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, 2017 Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Dias, M.A.; Amarasinghe, L.D.; Jayalath, W.G.H.; Attanayake, R.N.Blossom midge, Contarinia maculipennis which belongs to Order Diptera: Family Cecidomyiidae is considered as one of the major threat to ornamental and several crop plant species due to its wide host range. For the first time C. maculipennis was recorded from Dendrobium sp. in 1992 from Florida, but the origin of this species is considered as Southeast Asian region. In Korea, it is officially nominated as a quarantine pest since 2007 due to it’s sever economic impact on vegetable crops and ornamental plants. For the first time in Sri Lanka, completely damaged Dendrobium cultivation was found in an ornamental plant nursery at Gampaha district in 2017. It was noted that the symptoms were similar to that of blossom midge damage. Maggots were found to be feeding inside unopened flower buds, causing deformed, discolored buds and blossoms causing premature bud or blossom drop. Floral buds were often found to be rotted. Samples from immature bud stage to fully opened flowers were randomly collected from infected fields into polythene bags. To identify causative agent, floral buds with larval stages were kept in glass containers to allow them to complete their life cycle and thereby morphological characters were studied to confirm the pest species. In addition, yellow color grease sheets were kept inside the greenhouses to trap any adult stages of the pest species. Samples were collected and preserved using 70% ethanol for identification. Since all the damaged flower buds displayed symptoms of bacterial rots, to determine if any bacterial infection is also associated with the symptoms, bacterial isolation procedure was carried out. Different stages of floral samples were separately surface sterilized for two minutes using 70% ethanol and three serial washings with sterilized distilled water. Tissue macerate was prepared and kept for 3 hours before culturing on Nutrient Agar (NA) plates, Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and Luria-Bertani (LB) plates. Each sample had three replicates and ten samples were cultured. Growth from the tissues were observed and pure cultures were obtained. Relative length of the first and second flagellomeres, wing length and pattern, larval sternal spatula and its associated papillae and larval eighth abdominal segments were compared with identification keys which were used to identify the genera, Contarinia. The adult stages of trapped insects and adult stages of insect immerged from the larval stages were useful in confirming the species as C. maculipennis. Basic biochemical tests and Gram’s staining assisted in identifying the bacterium as belonging to the genera, Erwinia sp. and it appears that the bacterial infection occurs as a secondary infection after larval stages of C. maculipennis damage the floral tissues. This is the first record of C. maculipennis infecting orchid nurseries in Sri Lanka and if proper care is not taken it will invade other crop species as the pest has a broad host range. It is not clear whether the pest was a recent introduction through the imports of plant material or whether it is a result of host jump and therefore, it warrants further research.Item Screening of selected rice varieties for Meloidogyne graminicola infestation and potential of Trichoderma viride to control its infestation(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Hemachandra, K.H.D.J.K.; Amarasinghe, L.D.Meloidogyne graminicola is an obligatory endo-parasitic nematode species which becomes a threat to paddy cultivation in several regions in Sri Lanka. Other than using the highly toxic nematicides, it is necessary to find out effective eco-friendly methods to control M.graminicola. In this context, identification of resistant rice varieties which are able to tolerate the infestation of this nematode and use of bio control agents such as Trichoderma viride are important.The present study was conducted to assess the resistance levels of selected new rice varieties to M. graminicola infestation and also to find out the effectiveness of T. viride against its infestation. The rice varieties namely Bg 407, Bg 366, Bg 403, Bg 251, Bg 369, Bg 380, Bg 310, Bg 745 were tested by inoculating the second stage juveniles (J2) of M. graminicola at a rate of five juveniles per plant. Inoculation was done at tillering stage of the rice plants which had been transplanted in pots containing 200mg amount of soil per each. The tillers in each variety were arranged in a completely randomized design with ten replicates. The effectiveness of T. viride against M. graminicola infection was determined. Five similar portions of T. viride, 1×104 spores/ml, 10ml were sprayed around the randomly selected, nematode inoculated five tillers which were transplanted in the pots. “Above” and “below” ground plant measurements, final nematode population and gall index/GI (Number of galls per tiller) of plants was obtained as post treatment assessment. The criterion used in determination of resistant levels is the gall index. Bg 366 (GI: 39) and Bg 251(GI: 36) could be categorized as susceptible varieties based on the number of galls per tiller. The reproduction factor of rice root knot nematode was also considered in this categorization and was higher in these two varieties compared to the other tested varieties. Bg 407(GI: 28), Bg 369(GI: 29), Bg 380(GI: 27), Bg 310(GI: 24), Bg 745(GI: 26) rice varieties were grouped as moderately susceptible rice varieties. These varieties acquired more or less similar reproduction factors, but less than that in susceptible varieties. Bg 403 which possessed the lowest reproduction factor was categorized as the moderately resistant variety. There was a significant reduction in the mean number of galls (p = 0.000, F =68.92) and the weight of the fresh root of T. viride treated tillers (p = 0.001,F = 12.89), compared to the untreated tillers. The present study also revealed that the Bg 403 rice variety which was capable of enduring the damage could be recommended for paddy cultivation. The other tested susceptible and moderately susceptible rice varieties can be recommended for paddies together with the application of biocontrol agent such as T. viride.Item Study on effect of microfauna and some abiotic parameters for the prevalence of mosquito larvae inhabiting marshlands(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Menike, P.M.I.D.; Amarasinghe, L.D.This study was carried out in selected marshlands of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka to determine the prevalence of various mosquito species larvae and their association with biotic and abiotic parameters of the habitat. Larval sampling, recording of physico chemical parameters and microfauna identification were done at monthly interval from March 2015 to August 2015. The study was carried out in eight marshlands with varying Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels and total number of 893 mosquito larvae were collected (n=144). Culex gelidus, Cx. whitmorei, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. fuscocephala and Anopheles sp. 1 were the species/taxa identified. Cx. gelidus, Cx. whitmorei, Cx. quinquefasciatus were found in mashes with BOD level ranging from 1.5-2 mg/L and Cx. fuscocephala with 1-1.5 mg/L. Anopheles sp. 1 was found in significantly low level. pH levels in these habitats did not vary significantly and lied between 6.5-7.0. When Cx. whitmorei and Cx. gelidus co-existed in one habitat, it was found a significant negative correlation between the populations of two species. Similar results were found when Cx. quinquefasciatus with Cx. gelidus present together in same habitat. However, Cx. fuscocephala and Cx. gelidus when present together in same habitat, it was shown a positive correlation. In marshlands, 14 genera of microfauna were identified (n=144). Among them Zoothamnium sp 1 was most common and found higher densities and followed by Difflugia sp 1, Nauplius larva, Cyclops sp 1, and Daphnia sp 1. Pearson correlation showed that there was a correlation between the density of mosquito larvae and associated microfauna. Zoothamnium sp. 1 was given negative correlation with the Cx. gelidus when they present in higher density. A significant positive correlation was obtained between Daphnia sp. 1, Difflugia sp. 1, Nauplius larva and Keratella sp. 1 with mosquito larvae. Hence, there is no relationship between microfauna and mosquito populations. However, this may depend on the BOD of the habitat.