Purpose: Stem-End Rot (SER) is one of the most frequently found mango postharvest diseases in many countries including Sri Lanka. Availability of a significantly detailed study on morphological and molecular characterization of the SER associated fungal species is comparatively low. The present study has been carried out considering the above fact. Research Method: SER disease associated fungi were isolated and identification was carried out using morphological characteristics. Identification was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of newly generated ITS sequencing data using Maximum Likelihood (ML) with RAxML software (Ver.8.2.10). Findings: From the morphological studies it was observed that the fungal isolates SER1, SER2, SER3 and SER6 produced conidia on Potato Dextrose Agar. Both morphological and molecular results revealed that the isolates of SER1, SER4, SER5, and SER6 which were isolated from diseased Karutha Colomban mango fruits with SER (in Sri Lanka) belong to Lasiodiplodia sp., Nodulisporium sp., Xylaria feejeensis and Pestalotiopsis sp. respectively. Both SER2 and SER3 were confirmed as Phomopsis sp. During the present study two new fungal species (Xylaria spp. and Nodulisporium spp.) were also identified for the first time from SER of Karutha Colomban mango fruits. Research Limitations: The pathogenicity of these isolates will be tested in near future, since the study was mainly focused on the isolation and identification of the SER associated fungal species. Originality/ Value: Results of the present study will be very valuable for stakeholders in Agricultural sector, before designing control strategies at post-harvest level in order to minimize the loss and extend the storage life of mango.

Karutha Colomban is one of the most delightful mango varieties popular among Sri Lankan consumers. A signifi cant postharvest loss of mango takes place every season due to diseases including stem-end rot (SER), which is caused by a group of endophytic fungal pathogens. In this research, in vitro antifungal effi cacy of diff erent concentrations of essential oils of basil, clove, and cinnamon were evaluated for their ability to control SER causing fungal pathogens of mango (cv. Karutha Colomban) as bio-safe alternatives to conventional fungicides, by conducting liquid and disc volatilisation bioassays. Major bioactive compounds of the selected essential oils were identifi ed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Basil and cinnamon bark oils (0.20-0.30 μL/mL) in liquid bioassay showed high effi cacy against Lasiodiplodia theobromae, while basil and cinnamon leaf oils (0.40-0.60 μL/mL) successfully inhibited Pestalotiopsis sp. Cinnamon bark oil (0.60 μL/mL) was identifi ed as the most eff ective oil against Phomopsis sp. According to disc volatilisation bioassay, vapour of cinnamon oils (0.20-0.40 μL/mL) was the most eff ective in controlling L. theobromae. Pestalotiopsis sp. was effi ciently controlled by clove and cinnamon bark oil (0.20-0.60 μL/mL) vapour. In vapour phase, clove and cinnamon oils (0.40 μL/mL) were the most eff ective against Phomopsis sp. According to GC-MS characterisation, methyl chavicol was the most abundant antifungal component in basil oil while it was (E)-cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon bark oil. Moreover, eugenol displayed the highest abundance in clove and cinnamon leaf oils. Based on in vitro studies, it could be concluded that cinnamon bark oil in liquid and vapour phases demonstrated a higher antifungal effi cacy among the tested essential oils in controlling fungal pathogens causing SER of mango.

Coconut in Sri Lanka is currently classified into 15 different coconut forms grouped under three varieties, namely Typica, Nana and Aurantiaca. Several new coconut morphotypes that were not represented in the previous classifications were identified during a recent coconut germplasm exploration mission in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. The visual morphological features of several new coconut morphotypes (Ran pol, Bothal thembili, Juwan, Murusi, Dothalu and Thatin) were characterized with the objective of including them in the taxonomic classification of coconut in Sri Lanka. Stature and breeding behaviour were the main features observed while stem morphology, root bole formation, crown size, nut morphology and bearing patterns, and other specific morphological features were recorded. The data provided morphological evidence to classify Ran pol, Juwan and Rath gon thembili as new forms of variety Typica; Green dwarf 'Murusi', Yellow dwarf 'Murusi' and Brown dwarf 'Murusi' as forms of variety Nana; and Bothal thembili as a new form of variety Aurantiaca. The morphotypes, Thatin and Dothalu were identified as forms of variety Typica but the sample size was too small for confirmation.

There is a rising demand in the world for coconut water as a healthy natural beverage. Different coconut varieties are used in different countries to be processed as a natural drink. The coconut form “King coconut” has long been used in Sri Lanka as the ideal coconut variety for this purpose. However, with the expansion in the local and export beverage coconut market, the supply does not meet with the demand at present. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify potential coconut varieties/forms mainly relating to the yield of beverage. The study was conducted in the main coconut triangle and Southern Sri Lanka. Eleven coconut forms, namely, King coconut and Bothal thembili in the variety Aurantiaca, Red, Yellow, Green and Brown dwarf and Murusi in the variety Nana, Bodiri, Dothalu, and Sri Lanka tall. These are included in the variety Typica along with Nipol, which is a natural hybrid being identified to be suitable as beverage coconuts. Out of them the yielding ability was high in King coconut, Red dwarf and Yellow dwarf while Bodiri, Nipol and Dothalu fared well. Many coconut forms suitable for beverage purpose were observed to be having seasonality in nut production. Ensuring adequate soil fertility and prevention of water deficit over prolonged periods were observed to help sustain yield and reduce seasonality in bunch emission. There were no large scale plantations for beverage coconuts in Sri Lanka, and the entire collection was from home gardens and very small scale holdings. It is recommended to establish medium scale holdings with coconut forms having high yield potential as identified in the current study, with proper management guidance to ensure a steady supply of beverage coconuts to the local as well as export market.