Plant Science Department

Overview

The broad objective of this department is to identify and recommend cost effective techniques from plant production up to exploitation which would maximize the productivity. The quality of planting material is improved constantly. Planting techniques to improve the condition of the clearings and also methods of exploitation to cut down on COP are researched. Cultural practices during the immature phase along with intercropping are also looked at and recommendations are made where necessary. Plant physiological and molecular biological research are conducted to improve growth and yield under abiotic stress conditions. Apart from research activities, services and advisory work play vital roles.

Research Staff

Senior Research Officer

T U K Silva, BSc Agric (SL), MPhil (SL), PhD (SL)

tuksilva[at]yahoo.com

Mr. T.U.K. Silva is currently working as a Senior Research Officer of Plant Science Department. He obtained his M. Phil in Forestry from University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2007, and BSc in Agriculture from University of Ruhuna in 1998. Presently he is carrying out research on intercropping, planting techniques, harvesting systems and crop physiology of rubber and intercrops. He has published more than 15 research articles in journals, bulletins and conference proceedings.

Research Officer

Mrs D S A Nakandala, BSc Agric (SL), PhD (SL)

sashika75[at]yahoo.com

Mrs Sashika Nakandala is currently working as a Research Officer/Botanist of the Plant Science Department. She obtained her BSc Degree in Agriculture from University of Ruhuna in 2002 with a Second Class Upper Division. She has more than fifteen years of research experience in the field of irrigation and water management for rubber nurseries and on physiological aspects of water stress tolerance of rubber seedlings in dry and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka. She has completed her PhD in the field of Irrigation and Water management from University of Ruhuna in 2018. She has published more than 15 research articles in journals, bulletins and local and international conference proceedings.

Research Officer

M.N.de Alwis, BSc (SL)

Mr. M.N. de Alwis is currently working as a Research Officer/ Botanist of the Plant Science Department. He obtained his BSc degree from The Open University of Sri Lanka in 2005. He is a member of the nursery inspection unit of the Plant Science Department and has 29 years of experience in certifying planting materials for the quality assurance. Presently he is carrying out research on nursery aspects. He has been the co-author of 14 articles published in local journals, bulletins and rubber puwath.

Awards

Dr. N.M.C Nayanakantha won the award for the “Best Overall Oral Presentation” for his paper titled “Moringa oleifera leaf extract as a biostimulant on growth and other physio-chemical attributes of rubber (Hevea brasilliensis) under drought and heat stress conditions” and presented at the 7th Symposium on Planation Crop Research, 04-06th November 2019, Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo.
Dr. N.M.C. Nayanakantha received an award for the “Contribution Made to Rubber Industry during 2016-2018”at the 7th Symposium on Plantation Crop Research, 04-06th November 2019, Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo.
Dr. N.M.C. Nayanakantha received “High Mind Idea Master Award” for the Best Rubber Industry Participation in the Leadership and Capacity Building Training Programme for “Young Rubber Industry Professionals” conducted by High Brand Team and organized by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce under the project “Rubber Young Cluster Network (RYCN)” in the Rubber Master Plan.
Dr. N.M.C. Nayanakantha received an award for the “Best Overall Oral Presentation” for his paper titled “ Exogenous nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprussside improves growth and physiological attributes of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) under abiotic stress conditions” and presented at the 5th International Conference on Agriculture 2018, The international Institute of Knowledge Management, Colombo, 16-17th August, 2018.
Dr. N.M.C. Nayanakantha received an award for the “Session’s Best Oral Presentation” for his paper titled “ Exogenous nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprussside improves growth and physiological attributes of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) under abiotic stress conditions” and presented at the 5th International Conference on Agriculture 2018, The international Institute of Knowledge Management, Colombo, 16-17th August, 2018.
Dr. N.M.C. Nayanakantha received an award for the “Best Oral Presentation”, in the Animal and Crop Production Technology Session, for his paper titled “Priming with nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside enhances germination and storage life of recalcitrant rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seeds presented at 2nd International Research Symposium, Uva Wellsassa University, February 1-3.
Dr. N.M.C. Nayanakantha received an award for the Best Oral Presentation, in Plenary III of the Animal and Crop Production Technology Session, for his paper titled “Priming with nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside enhances germination and storage life of recalcitrant rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seeds and presented at 2nd International Research Symposium, Uva Wellsassa University, February 1-3.
Dr. N.M.C. Nayanakantha received an award for the “Session’s Best Oral Presentation” for his paper titled “Assessment of growth and budgrafting performance of selected clonal seedling rootstocks of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)” presented at 1st International Symposium on Agriculture, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, October 5th-6th, 2017, Eastern University, Chenkalady, pp 94-103.
Dr. N.M.C. Nayanakantha received an award for the “Contribution Made to Rubber Industry during 2014-2015”at the 6th Symposium on Plantation Crop Research, 2nd -4th November, 2016, Colombo.
Dr. N.M.C. Nayanakantha received an award for the “Best paper and oral presentation from RRISL” for his paper titled “Treatment with nitric oxide and seed coat removal improve germination dynamics and growth attributes of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)” and presented at the 6th Symposium on Plantation Crop Research, 2nd -4th November, 2016, Colombo.
Dr. N.M.C. Nayanakantha won the award for the “Best Oral Presentation” under the category of “Biotechnology” for his paper titled Differential Expression of Defense-Related Genes in Sinapis alba and Brassica juncea upon the infection of Alternaria brassicae” and presented at the Twenty Seventh Annual Congress of Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture (PGIA), Peradeniya, held from 19th to 20th November 2015 at PGRC, Gannoruwa.
Dr. N.M.C. Nayanakantha received a “Merit Certificate” for his paper titled “Identification of differentially expressed genes in Brassica juncea and Camelina sativa upon challenge inoculation with Alternaria brassicae” and presented at 4th Young Scientists Forum Symposium, 23rd January, 2015, HARTI, Colombo.
Dr. N.M.C. Nayanakantha won the award for the “Best Overall Paper and Presentation” for his paper titled “The effect of nitric oxide-donor sodium nitroprusside on root architecture and growth of young budding polybagged plants of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)” and presented at the 5th Symposium on Plantation Crop Research, 15-17 October 2014, Colombo.
Dr. N.M.C. Nayanakantha won the award for the “Best Oral Presentation” under the category of Plant Biotechnology for his paper titled “ Differential expression of defense-related genes in moderately-resistant Sinapis alba and susceptible Brassica juncea upon Alternaria brassicae challenge or defense inducer treatments” and presented at the 2nd International Conference on Frontiers to Molecular Life Sciences held from 11-12 September 2014, Colombo.

Research Highlights

Priming of rubber seeds, seedlings and budded plants with nitric oxide donor Sodium Nitroprusside enhanced germination, short term storage life and growth of rubber.

Coir pith and elephant dung were identified as the ideal alternative sowing media for river sand in nurseries.

Early morning tapping (from 3.00am-5.00am) has no significant influence on yield of rubber trees in the Wet Zone.

Reduced sizes of polybags (5’’×13’’, 5’’×15’’and 6’’×13’’) were effective for raising seedlings to prepare budded plants both economical and environmental point of view

Moringa oleifera leaf extract as biostimulant improved growth and phsio-chemical attributes of rubber plants under abiotic stress conditions

Root bole plants were prepared and established in the dry zone along with conventional polybag plants to see the performances in terms of establishment rate and growth.

Wintering, flowering and seed production were evaluated for 20 clones and identified prolific seed-producing clones & areas.

Drip and sprinkler irrigation systems were designed for the government rubber nursery at Padiyathalawa. Sprinkler irrigation system performed better than drip system in terms of budgrafting success and growth of rubber.

Exogenous salicylic acid improved growth of rubber seedlings under water stress condition.

Growth is affected by different latex harvesting systems associated with different bark consumption patterns. Significant interactions were recorded for tapping systems and clones in terms of phloem turgor pressure, number of latex vessels in renewing bark, dry rubber content and yield per tree per tapping.

New experiments were commenced on the application of antioxidant (chemicals & botanicals) to address tapping panel dryness problem of rubber.

Rubber agarwood intercropping experiments revealed that the growth of local agarwood plant (Gyrinops walla) or “wallapatta” is low as compared to exotic agarwood producing specues (Aquilaria crassna and Aquilaria subintegra).

Rubber X fruit crops and Rubber x Medicinal Plants and Rubber X Cash crops experimental trials were established in Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Moneragala and Ampara for introducing sustainable rubber cultivation and land use practice in non traditional drier areas of Sri Lanka

The growth of Mango, Guava & Pomegranate intercropped under rubber was satisfactory.

All private, RPC and government rubber nurseries were inspected for plant quality improvement and reports were submitted to RDD and RPC for implementation.

“Ready-Reckoner chart” to assess excessive bark consumption rates, to predict the relevant panel durations and to rectify the harvesting process was developed and distributed to stakeholders. The chart was recommended to implement and to take remedies to sustain the economic lifespan of rubber plantations.

New recommendations

The life span of budwood nurseries is ten years and therefore it is recommended to replace 10% of the nursery with new clones every year
Young buddings use for planting should be less than one year old at planting and bare root budded plants are not recommended as a planting material

Achievements

Patents and Industrial Designs

R P Karunasena –Improvement to the existing rubber tapping knife which is being currently used.

Current research Projects

Investigation on seed production potential of rubber clones and treatments of rubber seeds for improved germination and short term storage life
Growth improvement in rubber plants through chemical and biological priming
Enhancement of abiotic stress tolerance in rubber plants through chemical and biological priming
Introducing cost and environmental effective alternative sowing media for river sand in rubber nurseries
Introducing cost-effective irrigation systems and scheduling for rubber nurseries
Certification of nursery plants for quality assurance and productivity improvement
Tissue culture and micropropagation of rubber and some other crops suitable for intercropping with rubber
Different planting strategies for growth and productivity improvement
Planting at different densities to obtain maximum economic return from latex and timber
Intercropping diverse crop species with rubber for land productivity improvement and environmental sustainability
Low-frequency harvesting with liquid/ gaseous stimulation to reduce cost of production
Testing of different harvesting systems to obtain maximum yield and sustainable utilization of bark
Testing remedies to address tapping panel dryness problem; one of the major reasons for low productivity in rubber plantations
Evaluation of anatomical, physiological and molecular biological attributes of rubber clones for selecting best clones for better growth and yield, especially under drought and heat stress conditions
Training and trouble shooting in nursery management, planting, harvesting, intercropping and other aspects related to agronomy

Recent Publications

SCI Journal
1. Sandhya Rawat, Sajad Ali, N.M. Chamil Nayankantha, N. Chandrashekar, Bhabatosh Mittra & Anita Grover (2017). Isolation and expression analysis of defensin gene 3 and its promoter from Brassica juncea. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection. DOI 10.1007/s41348-017-0103-y.
International Refereed Journal
1. S. Ali, N. Chandrashekar, S. Rawat, N.M.C. Nayanakantha, Z.A. Mir, A. Manohaean, M. Sultana and A. Grover (2017). Isolation and molecular characterization of the pathogenesis-related PR2 gene and its promoter from Brassica juncea. Biologia Plantarum. doi:10.1007/s10535-017-0726-7.
2. Nayanakantha, N.M.C., S. Rawat, S. Ali and A. Grover (2014). Defense gene induction in Camelina sativa upon Alternaria brassicae challenge. Indian Phytopathology, 67(3): 252-256.
3. Nayanakantha, N.M.C., S. Rawat, S. Ali and A. Grover (2014). α-Tubulin: A more suitable internal control than β- actin in reverse transcription PCR analysis of Brassica juncea, Sinapis alba and Camelina sativa under different experimental conditions. Annals of Plant Protection Sciences, 22 (2):345-351.
Local Refereed Journal
1. N.M.C. Nayanakantha, N.N. Hettiarachchi, A.M.W.K. Senevirathna, and P. Seneviratne (2016). Exogenous nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside enhanced growth attributes of polybagged rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seedlings. Tropical Agricultural Research and Extension Journal. 18(3), pp.134–141.
2. N.M.C. Nayanakantha, K.D. Madhushani, L.A.R. Amarathunga, G.A.S Wijesekera, P.D Pathirana, W. Karunatilaka, D.L.N. de Zoysa, M.N. de Alwis, R. Handapangoda & P. Seneviratne. (2016). Treatment with nitric oxide and seed coat removal improve germination and growth of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). Journal of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka.96, 33-49.
3. Nayanakantha, N.M.C., S. Rawat, S. Ali and A. Grover (2015). Differential expression of defense-related genes in Sinapis alba and Brassica juncea upon the infection of Alternaria brassicae. Tropical Agricultural Research Journal. 27(2): 123-136.
4. Nayanakantha, N.M.C. P.D. Pathirana, A.M.W.K. Senevirathna and P. Seneviratne (2014). Exogenous nitric oxide-donor sodium nitroprusside ameliorates root architecture and growth of young budding polybagged plants of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). Journal of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka. 94: 9-24.
Thesis
1. Nakandala D S A, (2018). Techno-physiological package for young rubber nursery plants (Hevea brasiliensis Mull.Arg.) to withstand water stress conditions. Ph.D. Sri Lanka: University of Ruhuna.
Books/ Book Chapters
1. V.H.L. Rodrigo, B.W. Wijesuriya, D.G. Edirisinghe and N.M.C. Nayanakantha, (Editors). Proceedings of the Seventh Symposium on Planation Crop Research, “Towards achieving sustainable development goals in the plantation sector”. Volume 1: 1-211.
2. V.H.L. Rodrigo, B.W. Wijesuriya, D.G. Edirisinghe and N.M.C. Nayanakantha, (Editors). Proceedings of the Seventh Symposium on Planation Crop Research, “Towards achieving sustainable development goals in the plantation sector”. Volume 2: 1-206.
3. ආචාර්ය එන්.එම්.සී. නයනකාන්ත, (විෂය කමිටු සාමාජික), වැවිලි බෝග නිෂ්පාදන තාක්‍ෂණය (2018) : නව ව්‍යවහාරික විෂය සඳහා මොඩුලය සැකසීම (රබර් අංශය). ශෂ්‍ය විද්‍යාත්මක තාකෂණය. අධ්‍යන ‌පොදු සහතික පත්‍ර (උසස් ‌පෙළ).
4. ආචාර්ය එන්.එම්.සී. නයනකාන්ත, (විෂය කමිටු සාමාජික), වැවිලි බෝග නිෂ්පාදන තාක්‍ෂණය (2018) : නව ව්‍යවහාරික විෂය සඳහා මොඩුලය සැකසීම (රබර් අංශය). නිශ්පාදන තාකෂණය. අධ්‍යන පොදු සහතික පත්‍ර (උසස් පෙළ).
Bulletins
1. Nakandala S.A., P. Seneviratne, S.M.M. Iqbal, K.D.N. Weerasinghe and D. Pathirana (2018). Irrigation Systems for Rubber Nurseries. Bulletin of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka 54:1- 5.
International Conference Proceedings Full Length Papers
1. Silva, T.U.K., and Rodrigo, V.H.L. (2015). Potential of increasing the planting density of rubber in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the International Rubber Conference 2015. RRIV, Vietnam, 2-3, November 2015, Pp 577-590.
International Conference Proceedings Abstracts
1. Silva, T.U.K., Seneviratne, P., Senevirathna, A.M.W.K., Costa, W.A.J.M.D. and Subasinghe, H. (2020). Influence of some latex flow dynamics associated with different latex harvesting systems on latex yield of different clones of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis, Muell. Arg.). International symposium on Agriculture and Environment, February 14th 2020. University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. Pp 23.
2. Priyani Seneviratne, W.A.V. Prathibha, N.M.C. Nayanakantha and U. Dissanayake (2019). Effects of size and colour of polybags on growth of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seedlings and budded plants under nursery conditions. Proceedings of the International Rubber Conference, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, 30th September – 1st October. Abstract. P 55.
3. Nayanakantha, N.M.C., B.M.S.S. Panditharatne, S.A. Nakandala, W. Karunathilake and P. Seneviratne (2018). Exogenous nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside improves growth and physiological attributes of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) under abiotic stress conditions. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Agriculture, 16-17th August 2018, Colombo. Abstract, pp 44.
4. N. M. C. Nayanakantha, Madushani, U., Karunarathna, B., Panditharathna, B. M. S. S. and Seneviratne, P. (2018). Priming with nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside enhances germination and storage life of recalcitrant rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seeds. Proceedings of 2nd International Research Symposium, Uva Wellsassa University, February 1-3, Abstract. Pp 4.
5. N.D.K. Gayashan, N.M.C. Nayanakantha, P. Seneviratne, A.M.W.K. Senavirathna, H.A.S.L. Jayasinghe, and B.M.S.S.. Panditharathna (2018). Effect of Polybag Size on Growth and Physiological Attributes of Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) Seedlings. Proceedings of 2nd International Research Symposium, Uva Wellassa University, February 1-3, pp 20.
6. Wijayarathna, D.N., Lokupitiya, E. and Silva, T.U.K. (2018). Ratio between potential evapotranspiration and precipitation as a drought index and its impacts on rubber yield in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of 2nd International conference on climate change 2018. February 15th – 16th. 2018. Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pp 39.
7. Nakandala S.A., N.M.C. Nayanakantha, P. Seneviratne, M. N. de Alwis and D.L.N. de Zoysa (2018). Morphological and physiological responses of immature plants of Hevea brasiliensis to micro-irrigation. Proceedings of International Rubber Conference and IRRDB Annual meeting, 2018, Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire. P. 53.
8. N. M. C. Nayanakantha, B. M. S. S. Panditharathna, P. Seneviratne and E. U. M. De Z. Dissanayaka (2017). Assessment of growth and budgrafting performance of selected clonal seedling rootstocks of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). Proceedings of the1st International Symposium on Agriculture, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, October 5th-6th, 2017, Eastern University, Chenkalady, Pp 94-103.
9. Nayanakantha, N.M.C, R. M. Chathura G. Rathnayake, Suboda S. Panditharatne, Priyani. Seneviratne, Sashika A. Nakandala and Wasantha Karunathilake (2017). Nitric oxide improves growth and physiological attributes of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) under drought and heat stress conditions. Proceedings of the International Rubber Conference, IRRDB, Indonesia, 18-22 October 2017, Jakarta, Indonesia. Pp 23.
10. Nayanakantha, N.M.C., Ratnayake, C. , Senevirathna, W., Kaliyadasa, E. and Seneviratne P. (2017). Exogenous nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside enhances growth and physiological attributes of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) plants subjected to water stress. Second Asia Pacific Conference on Multidisciplinary Research, July, 29-30, Colombo. pp 25.
11. N.M.C. Nayanakantha, N.N. Hettiarachchi, A.M.W.K. Senevirathna, and P. Seneviratne (2016). Exogenous nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside enhanced growth attributes of polybagged rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seedlings. Proceedings of the International symposium on Agriculture and Environment held on 13th January 2016 at Ruhuna University, Kamburupitiya. Abstract. P. 6.
12. Silva, T.U.K., Senevirathne, A.M.W.K., Senevirathne, P. and Costa, W.A.J.M. (2016). Different latex harvesting systems and their impact on bark consumption and economic lifespan of rubber plantations in Sri Lanka. “International Symposium on Agriculture and Environment 2016”, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka. Pp. 33-35.
Local Conference Proceedings Full Length papers
1. N. M. C. Nayanakantha, S A Nakandala, W. Karunathilake, M N de Alwis, L N de Zoysa and P Seneviratne (2019). Moringa oleifera leaf extract as a biostimulant on growth and other physio-chemical attributes of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) under drought and heat stress conditions. Proceedings of the Seventh Symposium on Plantation Crop Research. “Towards achieving sustainable development goals in the plantation sector. V.H.L. Rodrigo, B.W. Wijesuriya, D.G. Edirisinghe and N.M.C. Nayanakantha (Eds.). Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Dartonfield, Agalawatta, Sri Lanka, Vol.2, pp 115 – 126.
2. Nakandala, S.A. N.M.C. Nayanakantha, P. Seneviratne, M.N.de Alwis and D.L.N. de Zoysa (2019). Different micro-irrigation techniques for mitigating drought stress of immature plants of Hevea brasiliensisIn: Proceedings of the seventh symposium on Plantation Crop Research. “Towards achieving sustainable development goals in the plantation sector. V.H.L. Rodrigo, B.W. Wijesuriya, D.G. Edirisinghe and N.M.C. Nayanakantha (Eds.). Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Dartonfield, Agalawatta, Sri Lanka, Vol.2, pp 13 – 20.
3. N.M.C. Nayanakantha, K.D. Madhushani, L.A.R. Amarathunga, G.A.S Wijesekera, P.D Pathirana, W. Karunatilaka, D.L.N. de Zoysa, M.N. de Alwis, R. Handapangoda & P. Seneviratne. (2016). Treatment with nitric oxide and seed coat removal improve germination dynamics and growth attributes of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). 6th Symposium on Plantation Crop Research, 2nd -4th November, 2016, Colombo. Pp 77-88.
4. Nayanakantha, N.M.C., P.D. Pathirana, A.M.W.K. Senevirathna and P. Seneviratne (2014). The effect of Nitric oxide-donor sodium nitroprusside on root architecture and growth of young budding polybagged plants of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). 5th Symposium on Plantation Crop Research, 15-17 October 2014, Colombo. Pp 77-90.
5. Nakandala S A, P Seneviratne, S M M Iqbal, S S P Munasinghe and D Pathirana (2014). Performance and Cost effectiveness of three irrigation systems in a rubber nursery in the Intermediate Zone of Sri Lanka. Pp 91 -98. In A P Keerthipala (ed). Proceedings of the Fifth Symposium on Plantation Crop Research – “Towards a Green Plantation Economy”. Sugarcane Research Institute, Uda Walawa, 70190, Sri Lanka.
6. Silva, T.U.K., Senevirathne, A.M.W.K., Senevirathne, P., Costa, W.A.J.M., Samarasekara, R and Deshapriya, H.A.U..(2016). Impact of different latex harvesting systems on bark consumption, yield and economic lifespan of rubber plantations in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the Sixth Plantation Crop Research Symposium, November 2-4, 2016. Bandaranaika Memorial International Conference Hall, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pp 125-133.
Local Conference Proceedings Abstracts
1. N. M. C. Nayanakantha, B. M. S. S. Panditharathna, P. Seneviratne and E. U. M. De Z. Dissanayaka (2018). Effect of selected clonal seedling rootstocks on growth and budgrafting performance of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). Proceedings of the National Symposium on Sustainable Plantation Management, 10th March, NIPM, Athurugiriya. Pp 22-26.
2. Nayanakantha, N.M.C., K.A.U. Madushani, P. Seneviratne, B. M. S. S. Panditharathna, E. U. M. De Z. Dissanayaka and B. Karunarathna (2018). Seed priming with nitric oxide enhances storage life, germination and seedling attributes of rrubber (Hevea brasiliensis). Proeedings of the SLCARP International Agricultural Symposium, 13-14 August, Colombo. Abstract. pp 6-7.
3. Nayanakantha, N.M.C., B.M.S.S. Panditharatne, S.A. Nakandala, W. Karunathilake and P. Seneviratne. Exogenous moringa oleifera leaf extract as a biostimulant improves growth and physiological attributes of rubber (Hevea brasiliesnsis) under sub-optimal climatic conditions. Proceedings of the symposium of RESCON 2018, 9-10th November 2018, PGIS, Peradeniya. Abstract, p. 58.
4. Dilrukshi, P.G.T., Subasinghe S.M.C.U.P., Nayanakantha, N.M.C. and Senevirathna, A.M.W.K. (2018). Evaluation of growth performance of agarwood producing species under three shade settings in different rubber intercropping systems. Proceedings of the 23rd Intreational Forestry and Environment Symposium, University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka. Abstract, p 57.
5. Wijayarathna, D.N., Lokupitiya, E. and Silva, T.U.K. (2018). Development of a relationship between a drought index and its impacts on rubber yield in wet zone. Proceedings of 74th Annual Session, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, December 2nd - 8th. 2018. Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pp 27.
6. Nayanakantha, N.M.C. (2016). National Conference in Agricultural Extension2016, Organized by Sri Lanka Agricultural Extension Association (SLAEA), A compilation of views of Agricultural Extension Stakeholders. Oakray Hotel, Gatambe. Pp 23-25.
7. Rathnayake, R.M.C.G., P.E. Kaliyadasa, H.A.S.L. Jayasinhe and N.M.C. Nayanakantha (2016). Effect of exogenous nitric oxide on growth and physiological parameters of rubber clone PB 260 subjected to drought. Proceedings of the 6th Research Symposium of Uva Wellssa University, Badulla, January, 28-29th. P. 86. (Abstract).
8. Watawala, W K S W Senevirathna, A M W K.,Gunadasa, H K S G., Nayanakantha, N.M.C. and Samarasekara, R K. (2016). Study on Effectiveness of Ascorbic Acid, DRC+3 and Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP) on Recovery of Tapping Panel Dryness of Rubber Trees. Proceedings of the 6thResearch Symposium of Uva Wellassa University. January 28-29, 2016. p. 73.
9. Lanka, M.P.D., Subasinghe, S.M.C.U.P., Senevirathna, A.M.W.K. and Nayanakantha, N.M.C. (2016). Growth comparison of young three agarwood producing species intercropped with rubber under different light conditions. Proceedings of the International Forestry and Environment Symposium, University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka. Abstract, p 76.
News Paper articles
1. ආචාර්ය එන්.එම්.සී. නයනකාන්ත, රබර් වගාවට අලුත් ඉඩම්, සිළුමිණ, ජනවාරි 21, 2018.
2. ආචාර්ය එන්.එම්.සී. නයනකාන්ත, නිසි රෝපණයෙන් සරු අස්වැන්නක්. සිළුමිණ, ජුලි 09, 2017.
3. ආචාර්ය එන්.එම්.සී. නයනකාන්ත, පහසු මිලට පරිසර හිතකාමී බීජ පැළ තවානක්. සිළුමිණ, ජුනි 11, 2017.
4. ආචාර්ය එන්.එම්.සී. නයනකාන්ත, රබර් වගාවේ ප්‍රශ්න විසදන්න සූදානම්. සිළුමිණ, සැප්තැම්බර් 25, 2016.

Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka

Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries