Buddhika Kulasekara

• Master of Science
• Research Officer at Sugarcane Research Institute, Sri Lanka

The use of satellite-based Remote Sensing (RS) is a well-developed field of research. RS techniques have been successfully utilized to evaluate the chlorophyll content for the monitoring of sugarcane crops. This research provides a new framework for inferring the chlorophyll content in sugarcane crops at the canopy level using unmanned aerial vehic...

Sugarcane is one of the crops which remove a higher amount of nutrients from the soil. However, its by-products have a wide use as soil amendments. As a by-product, boiler ash can enhance soil’s physical properties and thereby increase root development while, soil chemical properties could be adversely affected on soil quality. In contrast, the app...

Pelwatte is a predominant sugarcane-growing region in Sri Lanka, primarily relying on rain-fed conditions for approximately 30 years. This study was conducted to assess the soil status and variability of the Settler region influenced by sugarcane cultivation. The study area covered around 1500 ha of sugarcane-growing lands where the predominant gre...

The low sugar recovery rate is becoming a key issue in the sugar sector in Sri Lanka. In order to improve cane quality and sugar recovery, some countries use zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) as a soil microelement fertiliser. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the impact of ZnSO4 on soil chemical properties, cane yield and cane quality of the sugar...

In the sugarcane-based sugar and alcohol industry, various by-products are generated. Among which sugarcane boiler ash stands out as a carbon-rich derivative resulting from the cogeneration process of sugarcane bagasse. Due to its environmental impact, sustainable handling of boiler ash is crucial. This study explores the potential to develop granu...

This study explored the barrel technique for biochar production, comparing it with laboratory-prepared biochar by evaluating the effect on sugarcane-growing soil quality. Different sugarcane biomass (bagasse, trash, and mini mill waste) derived biochar was prepared using a muffle furnace at three different temperatures (300, 450, and 600 °C) and wi...

This study investigates the predictive performance and accuracy of machine learning (ML) algorithms to predict sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) yield and field brix values using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based multispectral imagery captured at 10th, 11th, and 12th months after planting. UAV imagery was used to calculate five different veget...

This study investigates the predictive performance and accuracy of machine learning (ML) algorithms to predict sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) yield and field brix values using unmanned area vehicle (UAV) based multispectral imagery captured at 10th, 11th, and 12th month after planting. UAV imagery was used to calculate 5 different vegetative...

This study investigated the potential of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based multispectral imagery (MI) to predict the leaf nitrogen (N) content of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). MI of canopy cover of two sugarcane varieties (CO 775 and SL 96 128) applied with different doses of N (0 – 550 kg/ha) were captured at 4½ months after planting. Th...

Vinasse is an aqueous effluent of the distillation unit in the sugar-alcohol industry and a problem to the sector due to its potential effects as an environmental pollutant. However, proper usage of vinasse contributes to improving soil quality and agricultural productivity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of sugarcane vin...

Information on the biology and ecology of Deltocephalus menoni (Homoptera: Cicadelidae), the only vector identified as responsible for spreading the White Leaf Disease (WLD)-causing phytoplasma in sugarcane in Sri Lanka, is essential to develop an effective disease management programme. Laboratory experiments involving choice tests and field studie...

This study investigated the potential of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based multispectral imagery (MI) to predict the leaf nitrogen (N) content of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). MI of the canopy cover of two sugarcane varieties (Co 775 and SL 96 128) applied with different doses of N (0-500 kg/ha) were captured 4½ months after planting. The...

Rhizosphere microorganisms (RMs) are important in crop production but, they have been badly affected by agrochemicals. Hence, restoration of beneficial RMs is required for soil rehabilitation. This study was designed to isolate indigenous soil microbes (ISM) and tested their survival in a nutrient-enriched broth culture medium (BCM). BCM was prepar...

Low sugar recovery experienced during the last few years has become a challenging issue for the Sri Lankan sugarcane industry. Enhancement of cane quality is one of the solutions to overcome this problem. The application of Zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) as a soil amendment is practised in some countries to enhance the quality of the cane. Therefore, this s...

Vinasse is an aqueous effluent of the distillation unit in the sugar-alcohol industry and a problem to the sector due to its potential effects as an environmental pollutant. However, proper usage of vinasse contributes to improving soil quality and agricultural productivity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of sugarcane vin...

Tri-trophic relationship among Sugarcane White Leaf Disease Phytoplasma (WLDP), Deltocephalus menoni (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) and sugarcane plant in secondary transmission of the disease Purpose: Sugarcane White Leaf Disease (WLD) is one of the most devastative diseases in cane-sugar industry in Sri Lanka and the causative agent is a distinct phy...

Vinasse is an aqueous effluent of the distillation unit in the sugar-alcohol industry and a problem to the sector due to its potential effects as an environmental pollutant. However, proper usage of vinasse contributes to improving soil quality and agricultural productivity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of sugarcane vin...

Utilisation of the sugarcane industry by-products in Sri Lanka has immense potential. Hence, this preliminary investigation was conducted to find out the feasibility to produce organic fertiliser from the sugarcane industry by-products and to evaluate their nutritional characteristics favourable for sugarcane plant growth. Two consecutive experimen...

Sugarcane harvesting requires a significant amount of energy and time to manage dry leaves after the harvesting process. Therefore, the objective of this study was to minimize the energy requirement to process the cane and dry leaves’ harvesting (CDLH) for sugarcane while, at the same time, maximizing sugar production from cane and energy from dry...

Use of sugarcane industry effluents for sustainable N management

Sustainable N utilization in sugarcane

A study was conducted to identify the causatives for low ratoon yield in sugarcane plantation special reference to hydro-geomorphologic parameters of the landscape. Hydro-geomorphologic parameters i.e. closed depressions, flow accumulation and topographical wetness index were assessed. These hydro-geomorphologic parameters were used as indicators f...

The course covered basic information of China and Guangxi, current situation of sugar manufacturing industry in Guangxi, sugar manufacturing technology including; milling, juice clarification, juice evaporation, sugar crystallisation and all other factory operations. The etiquette, cultural heritage and the tea-art of China were also introduced. Th...

Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) is one of the major plantation crop which contributes higher proportion to the Gross Domestic Production of Sri Lanka. About 60% of production is coming from smallholder sector. The "Vihidum Sathkara" program was implemented by the Advisory Services Department of Rubber Research Institute in order to increase the awarene...