Fruit Cultivation in Sri Lanka

Classification of Fruit crops

Tropical - Mango, Rambutan, Banana, Durian, Mangustin, (sweet) oranges,

Sub tropical - Oranges, Mango

Temperate - Apples, Pearce, Peach, Strew berry,

50 fruit crops grown in Sri Lanka Also there are internal variations.
Production systems of fruits.

(i) Wild or uncultivated lands
Some fruits can be gathered from wild of uncultivated lands.
Longan (Mora), woodapple, Bale fruit, Dan, Himbutu
Uncultivated fruit crops contain lot of nutrients.

(ii) Home Garden level
Mango, Banana, Oranges, Guawa, Durian

(iii) commercial cultivation
Banana, Papaya, Mango, Pineapple

Distribution of Fruit cultivation in Sri Lanka

Home garden <0. 25 ha
Small scale 0.25-2 ha
Medium small 2-10 ha
Large scale >10 ha

Cropping patterns

1. Mono crops.
Ex: Banana, Papaya, Fashion fruit

2. Inter crops
Ex: pineapple, Banana, Papaya

3. Mixed crops.
Ex: Home home gardens.

Classification of Agricultural Crops in Sri Lanka

Agriculture crops can be classified in many ways, but there is a standard classification initiated my Department of Agriculture (DOA) of Sri Lanka. Priority given to different types of crops change have change in last two decade. For example Minor export crops (සුලූ අ‍පනයන භෝග) slowly become a significant cash generating crop in expor market. Even though the land area under cultivation is relatively much low, contribution to the GDP is not much lower than major export crops (Tea, Rubber, Coconut). So now term Minor export crops have changed to Export agriculture crops (are not a minor crops any more) also Major export crops have changed to Plantation crops. Also new category of Forest trees are becoming a major industry now and extent under cultivation of Teak, Pinus like trees have increased up to 2% out of total land area in Sri Lanka.

Standard Classification of Agricultural

Crops of Sri Lanka

Plantation Crops

Export Agricultural Crops (Minor)

Timber Crops

Fruit Trees

Forest Trees

Medicinal Plants

Flower Plants

Foliage Plants

Fodder Plants

Field Crops (Food Crops)

How to make compost

How to make compost. Video from youtube

Weeds of Sri Lanka

Everybody talks about negative side of weeds always. Let me explain some possitives of weeds before moving to the negative side. Weeds Control soil erosion. Add nutrients to the soil after decomposition Has a medicinal value. Legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen provide animal and human food. use a mulches sometimes grown as anermental plant. sometimes produce chemical compounds, that prevent pests due to soil.

Now let's see bad side of weeds, which they are really famous for. Weed compete with crop for sun light,water,nutrients,air and decreases the final yield of the crop. Some secrete secretions that are determinist to crop. Eg: synoden dactylon The quality of the production reduces as seeds of weeds get mixed with those of crops. It creates a suitable atmosphere for micro organism by act as an alternative host. Sometimes weeds obstructs irrigation channels and blocks drainage. Weeds can get mechanical injuries to workrs. characters of weeds

life cycle is more or less or similar to plant of the crop or shorter than crop. Different with the type of crop. Weeds and crop plants have small height It is very difficult to separate weed seeds from crop seeds, so that reduce the quality Early maturing therefore ability for rapid vegetative propagation and regeneration Special in favorable condition have high output of seeds They are capable of producing at least a small amount of seeds in unfavorable conditions Seed dormancy and longevity No special environment requirement for germination Seedlings can tolerate adverse conditions Adaptation to long and short distance disposal Good power pf growth ability. they can grow under the adverse condition Strong competitive ability. self pollination. Grows fast and establishes fast. Became visible before molanty Under adverse conditions flower and set fruits Flowers and set fruits and seeds over a long period Seeds remain dormant and viable over a long period.

Taxonomic identification of Cashew Tree

Familly Name: Anacardiaceae
Common Names:

• Sinhala :Cadju (කජු)
  
• Tamil :Mora Nudirihai
  
• English :Cashew
  

Botnical Name: Anacardium occidentate

Leaf

• Type:Petiolated
  
• Shape:obovate
  
• Base:Cuneate
  
• Tip:obtuse
  
• Venation :Reticulate
  
• Margin:Entire
  
• Arrangement:Spiral
  

Flower

Inflorescence:Terminal Panicle
Yellow, Pink, Short Stalked Flowers

Fruit
Kindney shaped nut on yellowish red juicy stalk.

Trunk

• Bark: Smooth to fussed, light gray-brown.
  
• Wood: Whitish-brown, exodates darkens on exposare.