News
Agriculture scientists determine lack of potassium as root cause of yellowing of paddy plants
The Department of Agriculture has determined that Potassium deficiency is the root cause of yellowing paddy cultivation and other diseases are also caused by that nutritional paucity.
It has emphasised that Potassium (K) deficiency is the basic cause of the yellowing of the paddy cultivation, which has been recorded in between 08 and 10 percent of the 770,000 hectares of paddy cultivated this maha season.
The Department of Agriculture said that the research carried out in this regard confirmed that nematode or root nodule roundworm disease and other fungal diseases are diseases that can easily be contracted due to nutritional deficiencies in the crop.
These facts were revealed at a press conference held at the Department of Agriculture, Peradeniya. The press conference was held with the participation of Director General of Agriculture Ms. Malathi Parasuraman and Director of Batalagoda Paddy Research Institute Dr. Jayantha Senanayake.
At present, this yellowing disease is mostly reported from Mahaweli C and H zones and in the Anuradhapura district. Although 08 to 10 percent of the total paddy cultivation is yellowing, the severity of the situation is around 03 percent. Therefore, there is no serious damage to the overall harvest of the 2022/23 season.
According to the current follow-up, it is possible to get about 2.6 million tonnes of paddy in this Maha season. It can produce enough rice for seven months for the country, the Department said.
It asserts that since the yield has increased in the last yala season and the government has already prepared all necessary arrangements to provide all the fertilisers required for paddy cultivation in the 2023 yala season Triple Super Fertiliser (TSP), Urea and MOP Fertiliser. It is possible to get a good rice harvest.
Therefore, the Department of Agriculture emphasises that there will be no shortage of rice in the country this year, and there will be no need to import rice.
However, yellowing of stalks was not reported from paddy fields treated with Bundy fertiliser or Muriate of Potash (MOP). Also, the Department of Agriculture emphasises that it was observed that the yellow color of the paddy fields was removed after applying MOP fertiliser to the paddy fields where the paddy had turned yellow.
If MOP fertiliser was applied between 04-06 weeks of paddy cultivation, it is also possible that this kind of disease would not have been reported. Although the government has imported 40,000 tonnes of MOP fertiliser, farmers have bought as little as 1,600 tonnes. Officials who participated in this news conference emphasised that lack of potassium required for the growth of paddy due to non-application of MOP fertiliser has caused the yellowing paddy cultivation. (IN)
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned below is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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