RESEARCH ARTICLE

PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC RETURNS OF CULTIVATING REED PLANTS (Cyperus corymbosus) UNDER RAIN FED CONDITIONS IN WET ZONE PADDY FIELDS

Abstract

Different types of plant materials are used in traditional craft industry. Gallehe (Cyperus corymbosus) is the most commonly used reed plant and considered as a good quality weaving material . Traditionally materials were collected from the wild and natural habitats are now depleted . Therefore this research was conducted to study the feasibility & economic returns of grown Cyperus corymbosus under the rain fed conditions in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with two replicates ten square meters each The study site consist of sandy loam soil having 5.71 p.H levels, EC of 0.05dc m-1 with available P and exchangeable K are 11.7 ppm and 114.09 ppm respectively. While flowering started 42 days after cultivation, mature reeds were ready to harvest at 91 days after planting. The mean height, tiller number, leaf number and leaf length are 54.4cm, 3, 2 and 5.7cm respectively. Shade drying of reed harvest results in mean dry weight of 0.61kg/m2 with an economical gain of Rs, 152.5 /m2 as gross return. Therefore, cultivating Cyperus corymbosus would be economical for farmers and & will benefit the traditional craft weaving industry in Sri Lanka.

Keywords: rush, reed, traditional weaving, Cyperus corymbosus

How to Cite: PriyanthiI,G.D.A,Madhavi,I,Aruni Priyangika Peiris,A.P.K, (2019). PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC RETURNS OF CULTIVATING REED PLANTS (Cyperus corymbosus) UNDER RAIN FED CONDITIONS IN WET ZONE PADDY FIELDS.WILDLANKA, 7(3):Pages 117-126

Published On:2019-09-30

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