http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7032 2023 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:53:13 GMT 2026-04-28T03:53:13Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7042 Characterization of various biochar feed stocks enriched with liquid fertilizers Athukorala, D. C. A.; Kumara, A. D. N. T.; Muhandiram, A. M. K. G.; Kulathunga, L. Biochar is a porous black carbon material produced through thermochemical reactions in lowoxygen conditions using agricultural and municipal waste materials. Methods such as slow pyrolysis, fast pyrolysis, and hydrothermal carbonization are used. Biochar offers substantial soil benefits, improving its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. When enriched with liquid fertilizers, biochar becomes a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer solution. Hence the present study was executed with the aims of characterization of various biochar feedstocks enriched with liquid fertilizer. This experiment was conducted as a laboratory experiment at Fruit Crops Research and Development Institute, Kananwila, Horana, Sri Lanka to select the nutrient retention and exchange capacity with different biochar feedstocks. Rice husk, mushroom substrate, banana pseudo stem and coconut shell were used to make the four types of biochar. Ammonium Sulfate, monotassium phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Oxide and Zinc Sulfate Fertilizers were used to prepare liquid fertilizer solutions. Initially, 4 types of raw biochar were analyzed for their immediate, chemical, and nutritional elements. Proximate analysis was done as per ASTM D1762-84 method. Banana pseudo-stem biochar showed the best chemical and nutritional results. The nutrient absorbance capacity of each biochar has increased with the concentration of the liquid fertilizer. The nutrient absorbance results obtained from banana pseudo-stem and coconut shell biochar gave the best performances. Further, the study recommended to investigate the nutrient-releasing efficiency of these two biochar types before field applications. Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7042 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7041 Role of leadership in instituting key performance indicators to assess the value of research and development on commercial agriculture Abeysiriwardana, P. C.; Jayasinghe-Mudalige, U. K. - Having a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is now acknowledged as a promising tool that facilitates a decision-making process. Yet, the potential advantages associated with using KPIs are heavily contingent upon the trade-offs between the ‘financial’ and ‘non-financial’ measurements in use, especially in the case of performance management of research and development (R&D). Ambiguously defined KPIs in excess number may cause data in KPIs to overburden the entire decision-making process and discourage the entire organization structure from using it. On this understanding, this study aimed to scrutinize the practices of leaders in charge of performance management in leading research institutes working on commercial agriculture in Sri Lanka. A systematic process of reviewing the literature was carried out to identify, collate, and summarize performance management aspects on a global scale (Phase-I), followed by in-depth personnel interviews (n=32), aided by an interview guide comprised of 15 probing questions, with the leaders affiliated with research institutes (Phase II) to identify and compare such aspects in developing country context. The Thematic Qualitative Models produced by MAXQDA software were employed to assess those respondents' perspectives. The results emphasized the organizational benefits arising from a well-planned performance management system (PMS) comprising sensible KPIs based on balanced measurements. The outputs from the analysis and the five themes generated by it further helped to synthesize a well-balanced set of Key Performance Drivers (KPDs). Software tools (eg: Code-Maps) were utilized to recognize the KPI-KPD relationships and highlight important aspects of leadership that were required in implementing datadriven PMS. Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7041 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7040 Extraction and characterization of cellulose nanocrystals from filter paper by sulfuric acid hydrolysis method Samarawickrama, K. G. R.; Wijayapala, U. G. S.; Fernando, C. A. N. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are nanomaterials derived from cellulose, which is the main component of plant cell walls. Nanocrystals are obtained through a process of mechanical or chemical treatment that breaks down cellulose fibres into smaller dimensions at the nanoscale. This study aims to investigate the hydrolysis of filter paper into cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) using 60% (w/w) sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and identify the characteristics of the extracted CNCs. Filter papers are made from 100% premium pre-treated and high-quality cellulose fibres. The pulverized filter paper mixed the 60% (w/w) sulfuric acid in MLR 1:20 with strong agitation, and the mixture was heated at 50°C for 120 minutes. The mixture was diluted with cold distilled water in a 1:10 ratio to stop hydrolysis. The resulting mixture was centrifuged at 8000 rpm for 15 minutes to separate the CNCs. The precipitate was washed with distilled water using a dialysis membrane until the pH reached neutral. The properties of extracted CNCs have been discovered by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results of TEM analysis showed the needle-shaped morphology of CNCs and sizes ranging from 15–30 nm in diameter to 100–300 nm in length. The FTIR results revealed the functional groups present in the extracted CNCs. The XRD diffraction results showed the crystalline structure of the extracted CNCs. The results indicate that filter paper can be used as a source of cellulose for CNC extraction. Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7040 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7039 Dietary habits of urban vulnerable late adolescents in three selected grama niladhari divisions of Jaffna municipality Menaka, Sivakaran Adolescence is a period of rapid growth and development. Dietary habits of adolescents are in limelight as they are in the period between childhood and adult. Healthy eating habits during adolescent period promote healthy ageing. Overcrowding and limited infrastructure facilities at urban underserved settlements of the Jaffna Municipality of Sri Lanka are crucial for the health of the residents. The study aimed at finding food consumption patterns and factors that influencing the limited nutritional food intake by late adolescents from three selected Grama Niladhari divisions (Reclamation East, Reclamation West and Moor Street North) of Jaffna Municipality. Data collection was made by visiting households, interviewing the participants, administrating a questionnaire added with food frequency table, 24 hour dietary recall and collecting a week’s food diary from the participants, observing cooking facility at households and availability of food items nearby environment of study areas. The findings highlighted that underconsumption of fruit, vegetables and dairy products and overconsumption of nutritionally poor foods and carbonated beverages among the sample of adolescents residing in crowded divisions of Jaffna Municipality. Higher prices of food commodities, limited infrastructure facilities and knowledge on nutritional food intake were identified as barriers for limited nutritional food intake. Such nutritional unhealthy dietary habits may lead to nutritional problems among adolescents and they have to be moved towards a healthy way of life in order to build up a healthy and disease-free society in the future. The findings of the study could be a revelation for the relevant authorities to support a correct national intervention programme. Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7039 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z