Telephone

+94 812 388331 / 32/ 34

Email Address

info@doa.gov.lk

Office Address

Department of Agriculture, P.O.Box. 01,
Peradeniya

FCRDI Divisions – Agronomy Division

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  • Telephone : +94 252 249132
  • Fax : +94 252 249132
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FCRDI DIVISIONS

Agronomy Division

Mandate of the Division

To develop appropriate crop management practices and cropping patterns to realize higher productivity in different farming systems in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka with  sustainable use of natural resources and effective management of abiotic stresses.

Publications

Services

  1. Conducting training and awareness programs on following aspects
    • Agronomic management practices of OFC in different farming environments
    • Climate change impact on OFCs and mitigation  options
    • Potential for OFC cultivation in the dry zone
    • How to enhance productivity of OFCs
    • Productivity enhancement of different cropping systems
  2. Field investigations upon request by farmers or other stake holders to give recommendations on different field problems
  3. Technology dissemination through media and other campaigns like exhibitions

Technologies

  • Integrated effect of mulching, deep ploughing and organic matter application was tested for chilli.
  • A demand driven Nitrogen application method was introduced for chilli.
  • Impact of canopy level temperature on pollen sterility of rice, soybean and maize were studied under ambient conditions.
  • Impact of the high air temperature and the moderate moisture stress during anthesis on the canopy temperature, the pollen fertility and the spikelet fertility in Bg 366 and Bg 358 were studied.
  • A study on impact of organic mulches on big onion bulb production with paddy-husk, paddy straw, partially burnt paddy husk and gliricedia found that paddy straw mulch recorded the highest yield (38 t/ ha) with dark colored bulbs.
  • A new plant density recommendation (74 074 plants/ ha at 45 cm x 30 cm spacing with a proportionate increasing of N application).was given for hybrids under irrigated condition. The yield advantage was 20-25%.
  • Hybrid seed production technology was improved in maize by identifying appropriate bed types, plant densities and optimum flowering synchronization techniques.
  • The enhancement of drought stress tolerance in soybean crop by rhizobium inoculum used in Sri Lanka was identified.
  • Ideal initial seed moisture content, material used for storage and the location of the storage were identified for the enhancement of soybean storage duration without decreasing the viability.
  • Dioscorea species with high yield potential under the dry zone conditions in Sri Lanka were identified.

Officers of the Division
Dr. M.A.P.W.K. Malaviarachchi
Principal Agriculture Scientist - Agronomy
Dr. R.L.Senanayake
Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research) - Agronomy
Ms. H.M.P.T.K. Hettigedara
Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research) - Agronomy