Browsing by Author "Mathangadeera, R"

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Embargo
Bridging tradition and innovation: exploring vegetable harvest loss reduction strategies in Sri Lanka
(Emerald Publishing, 2026-01-15) Jayasuriya, N; Yapa, C.G; Rathnayake, T.A; Dilhara, A; Rathnayake, I.D; Mathangadeera, R
Purpose – This study aims to address a significant gap in the literature regarding vegetable harvest loss reduction methods, exploring both traditional and modern perspectives in Sri Lanka, which is largely driven by an agricultural economy. This study explores the diverse strategies employed and how they are going to be integrated by Sri Lankan vegetable farmers, highlighting both traditional and modern pre- and post-harvest practices aimed at improving productivity, sustainability and resilience in agricultural systems. Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted across key agricultural districts in Sri Lanka, with data collected through semi-structured interviews with vegetable farmers using the snowball sampling method. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns and themes in the data. Findings – The findings emphasize the importance of traditional methods, including cultural practices such as cultivating at auspicious times, established pest control and irrigation techniques. These are complemented by advanced agricultural innovations, modern harvest protection methods and improved packing and transportation techniques. This integrated approach showcases farmers' adaptability in reducing vegetable losses despite the challenges they face. Originality/value – Post- and pre-harvest loss reduction in Asian countries can be considered an understudied area. Furthermore, the focus on traditional methods is rare in the field. Therefore, this study provides a clear understanding of traditional and modern methods that are suitable for farmers in developing countries
Embargo
Bridging tradition and innovation: exploring vegetable harvest loss reduction strategies in Sri Lanka
(Emerald Publishing, 2026-01-15) Jayasuriya, N; Yapa, C.G; Rathnayake, T.A; Dilhara, A; Rathnayake, I.D; Mathangadeera, R
Purpose – This study aims to address a significant gap in the literature regarding vegetable harvest loss reduction methods, exploring both traditional and modern perspectives in Sri Lanka, which is largely driven by an agricultural economy. This study explores the diverse strategies employed and how they are going to be integrated by Sri Lankan vegetable farmers, highlighting both traditional and modern pre- and post-harvest practices aimed at improving productivity, sustainability and resilience in agricultural systems. Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted across key agricultural districts in Sri Lanka, with data collected through semi-structured interviews with vegetable farmers using the snowball sampling method. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns and themes in the data. Findings – The findings emphasize the importance of traditional methods, including cultural practices such as cultivating at auspicious times, established pest control and irrigation techniques. These are complemented by advanced agricultural innovations, modern harvest protection methods and improved packing and transportation techniques. This integrated approach showcases farmers' adaptability in reducing vegetable losses despite the challenges they face. Originality/value – Post- and pre-harvest loss reduction in Asian countries can be considered an understudied area. Furthermore, the focus on traditional methods is rare in the field. Therefore, this study provides a clear understanding of traditional and modern methods that are suitable for farmers in developing countries.
Open Access
Opti mizati on of a Surface Sterilizati on Protocol and Determinati on of Hormonal Combinati on for In vitro Propagati on of the Aquati c Ornamental Plant Echinodorus palifolius
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2024-12-04) Maduni, U; Bandara, C; Mathangadeera, R
The in vitro propagati on of Echinodorus palifolius, an aquati c plant highly valued in aquascaping, is crucial for meeti ng its growing demand in the global market. This study aimed to opti mize the surface sterilizati on protocol and hormonal combinati on to establish in vitro propagati on of Echinodorus palifolius under the specifi c conditi ons of Sri Lanka. Various sterilants, including Clorox, ethanol, and hydrogen peroxide, and diff erent ti me durati ons were tested for leaves and roots to identi fy the most eff ecti ve sterilizati on method. The study also evaluated the impact of diff erent hormone treatments on root and leaf growth. The fi ndings indicate that a combinati on of 10% Clorox and 70% ethanol is most eff ecti ve for root sterilizati on, while TDZ and 2,4-D hormones show signifi cant promise in inducing root growth. These opti mized protocols off er a practi cal soluti on for large-scale producti on, providing a sustainable and effi cient method to culti vate high-quality plants for both commercial and research purposes.