Research Divisions

Agronomy
Biometry
Crop Protection
Genetics & Plant Breeding
Plant Physiology
Processing Research
Soils and Plant Nutrition
Tissue Culture
Technology Transfer

Plant Physiology Division

The Mission of the Plant Physiology Division is to conduct basic/strategic research to gain advanced knowledge on physiological and biochemical aspects of the coconut palm and to recommend novel techniques for increasing productivity and profitability.

Current Research Programs

• Determination of the effect of different treatments on the expression of Leaf Scorch Decline (LSD) and Coconut Rapid Decline (CRD) and Tapering DBorder (TD) symptoms, in order to find out the causes and remedial measure
• Study the mechanism of yield stimulation by Ethrel in tapping coconut palms
• Development of tools for screening drought tolerant genotypes of coconut using physiological, biochemical and molecular methods
• Evaluation of physiological and biochemical characters of different cultivars of coconut
• Basic studies on differentiation of female flowers, morphological changes during development of the nut and germination of the nut
• Root morphology and mechanism of uptake of nutrients and root responses to stress conditions
• Effect of drip irrigation on micro climatic conditions of the canopy and development of root system in coconut
• Development of new techniques on toddy tapping to obtain sustainable increase in productivity and profitability of coconut plantations
• Identification of plant materials as natural anti-ferments for toddy
• Refining the previously developed protocol for shelf-life improvement of tender nuts to enhance the demand and acceptability of the produce in overseas markets
• Assessment of the impacts of and adaptations to climate change in the coconut sector of Sri Lanka and development of crop models