http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/981 VJS, Vol. 1 2026-04-05T19:41:52Z http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/695 New record of anthracnose disease in leaves of Plumeria pudica in Sri Lanka Nawananda, P.H.R.S.; Mahendranathan, C. Plumeria pudica L. is a deciduous ornamental shrub that belongs to the family Apocynaceae and is widely cultivated in Sri Lanka as a cosmopolitan ornamental plant. It has been reported that the anthracnose disease affects many tropical and subtropical fruits, vegetables, and foliage plants. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides or C. acutatum were reported as pathogens presently accepted as species complexes. In January 2021, a new fungal, l disease was observed on P. pudica, within the premises of the Eastern University, Sri Lanka, Vantharumoolai, Sri Lanka. Symptoms initiated as irregular necrotic spots that enlarged with pale brown borders. Later, the spots turned grayish-black, nearly rounded without lesions and haloes on the adaxial side of the matured leaves. Diseased leaf samples (10) were collected from three different trees inside the premises. Small pieces of infected leaves were used to isolate the pathogen on Potato dextrose Agar ( PDA) following the standard protocols. Forty colonies with similar morphology were obtained from diseased leaves. The colonies were white to gray and olivaceous in reverse after seven days of incubation under 27 °C. The morphological characters of fungal colonies, conidia, and appressoria were consistent with those of Colletotrichum sp., isolated from several other ornamental plants. Thus, based on these morphological characteristics, the pathogen was identified as Colletotrichum sp. Pathogenicity of the fungus was confirmed by performing Koch’s postulates using healthy detached leaves of Plumeria pudica. This is the first report of Colletotrichum sp. causing anthracnose in Plumeria pudica in Sri Lanka. This finding warrants the species-level identification of the pathogen using molecular data. The present work also lays the foundation for future studies on managing the disease in Plumeria pudica under nursery or marketing conditions. 0031-12-22T00:00:00Z http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/694 Formulation and comparative analysis of polyherbal cough syrup prepared with different palmyrah sweeteners Mahilrajan, S.; Jeno Winston, M.; Vijayakumar, T.; Thileepan, T. The purpose of this study was to examine the phytochemical and nutritional analyses of polyherbal cough syrup that had been manufactured and was made with palmyra sweetener and a decoction that contained coarse dried herbs. Medicinal plants were collected, air-dried, and then used to prepare water and ethanol extracts. Among both extracts, water extract was selected for further study because it contained a high amount of components such as ash, protein, and sugar than ethanol extract. Three different polyherbal syrup was prepared with decoction by using sweeteners such as white sugar (TI), palmyrah jaggery (TII), and sugar candy (TIII). Physicochemical analysis of TII showed a low amount of water content [21.7(±1.01]) (v/v %) and water activity (aw) [0.627(±0.001)]. In addition that it showed significantly higher amounts of nutritional content such as total ash [6.5(±0.35)], total sugar [39.7(±1.08)], crude protein [3.0(±0.2)], and crude fat [0.9(±0.1)] g/100g also mineral content as calcium [415.7(±1.2)], magnesium [264.1(±0.7)], sodium [595.45(±4.8)], potassium [1747.2(±11.7)], phosphorous [359.9(±5.5)] and iron 141.4(±1.1) when compared with other syrup as TI and TIII. Therefore cough syrup prepared with decoction and palmyrah jaggery was selected for the studies as stability and standardization. 0031-12-22T00:00:00Z http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/693 Sea insecurity and small-scale fishers’ well-being: A case study in Mannar, Sri Lanka Koralagama, D.N.; Peramunagama, S.S.M. Abstract : International maritime boundary lines and legitimate fishing techniques safeguard the marine environment from poaching and over-exploitation of resources while ensuring sustainable fisheries-based livelihoods. Indian trawler trespass and illegal fishing have been extensively practiced along the Northwestern coast of the country, especially in Mannar. This paper examines the impacts of sea insecurity on small-scale fisheries living in Mannar. A mixed method approach was adopted employing both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques, including a questionnaire survey (n=138), focus group discussions, in-depth interviews (n=15), participatory rural appraisal techniques, and key informant interviews (n=8). Fishing sites: Silavathurai, Vankalai, Pesalai, and SouthBar, which host both small-scale migrants and local fishers, were selected for the study. Individuals for the qualitative data collection were selected purposively, yet a simple random sampling technique was adopted for the questionnaire survey. A three-dimensional well-being approach- material, relational and subjective was used to assess the well-being of small-scale fishers. The Indian trawler poaching has reduced fishers’ harvest by more than 60 percent, thereby changing the income by 90 percent, making almost all debtors. Loss of material well-being due to increased cost of production, lower catch per unit effort, debt, and prolonged deprivation has led to illegal fishing such as dynamiting, ring seine, log fishing, and brush piles in the near-shore area. Mushrooming social conflicts among multiple user groups have jeopardized inter and intra-community relationships and networks. Illegitimacy negatively affects on the subjective well-being of fisher folk, both men and women, due to loss of self-esteem, frustration, and fear. Respondents claim interactive and communicative governance mechanisms for better implementation of rules and regulations. Frequent boat patrols and reconnaissance are requested to ensure sea security. Two main conclusions are drawn. First, sea security is needed to ensure the well-being of fisher folk over material, relational, and subjective aspects. Second, the lack of sea security encourages illegitimacy; the marine ecosystem’s health is damaged and jeopardized. Thus, an interactive and inclusive governing regime is suggested, which would replace the present inefficient and fragmented governing structure. 0031-12-22T00:00:00Z http://drr.vau.ac.lk/handle/123456789/692 Nutrition Literacy for Human Health: A Review on Current Global and Sri Lankan Scenario Chandrasekara, R.; Jayasinghe, M. Food literacy has been used in certain research to define a similar notion as nutrition literacy. This involves comprehending nutrition information and taking action on that knowledge to promote nutrition goals and social well-being. On a broader array, the competence to make decisions that encourage an individual’s health and a sustainable food system while focusing on environmental, social, economic, cultural, and political aspects. Preventing non-communicable diseases and malnutrition necessitates multi-level strategies that encourage individuals to take charge of the variables that are directly within their control, such as improving their dietary patterns, avoiding tobacco, and engaging in physical activity. Everyday dietary choices have an impact on a person’s health, including their body weight and several non-communicable disease risk factors like cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels. Nutrition and food literacy is essential for anyone’s well-being and fights against non-communicable illnesses. 0031-12-22T00:00:00Z