U.W. Lahiru Madhushanka Kumarasiri

Sugarcane Research Institute, Sri Lanka · Division of Crop Nutrition

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Ambewela MILCO (Highland) Spray Dried Milk Factory is the only factory which Produces milk powder under the brand name of “Highland Milk Powder” among five factories belongs to MILCO Company (Government). Raw milk, which is collected from different part of the country, transported to Ambewela MILCO Factory to produce full cream milk powder with hig...