Simpur Journal of Agricultural Sciences

AUTOMATED DRAINING AND IRRIGATION SYSTEM (ADIS) ENABLED WITH AI

Saraswathy S. — 2025-06-29

Modern and advanced technology allows to tackle challenges and problems faced by agriculture. These innovative technologies could be used in maximizing agricultural output while minimizing resource waste. This research is aimed to propose an Automatic Draining Irrigation System (ADIS) that integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to take judgemental decisions on managing irrigation and drainage which is a critical decision-making issue in conventional farming. The proposed system monitors soil moisture content, availability of water, and weather and environmental conditions in real time and processed data ensures optimal water management in the field. The ADIS utilizes smart sensors and AI-driven decision-making algorithms. Hence, the system is capable in dynamically controlling irrigation that prevents overwatering and underwatering. The automatic drainage enabled in the proposed system prevents waterlogging. ADIS is capable in enhancing crop productivity, conserving water, and reducing human intervention. Therefore, ADIS can be used in transforming the modern agriculture more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective.

ASSESSMENT OF AIR POLLUTION USING LICHEN-BASED BIOINDICATOR TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTS AND CROP PRODUCTION

Dulshan Ariyarathna — 2025-06-29

Air pollution poses a growing threat to the environment and agriculture sector, particularly in transitional
landscapes. The present study investigates the potential of lichen genera as bioindicators to comparatively assess
air pollution across the pollution gradient in the Gampaha district, Sri Lanka. Lichens, known for their sensitivity
to atmospheric pollutants, were surveyed across three zones with distinguishable pollution levels: the
Muthurajawela wetland (low pollution), Gampaha town (intermediate pollution), and the Ekala industrial zone
(high pollution). Corticolous lichen samples were counted from Cocos nucifera trees using transparent quadrats in
three randomly selected subsampling locations per site. Species diversity and Evenness were quantified using the
Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’), and Pielou’s species evenness index, respectively. Four dominant genera—
Chrysothrix, Pyxine, Graphis, and Dirinaria—were identified, with the highest diversity (H′ = 1.2589) and
evenness (E = 0.9081) observed in the low-pollution Muthurajawela wetland. Diversity and evenness declined with
increasing pollution levels: Gampaha town (H′ = 0.9797, E = 0.8917) and the Ekala industrial zone (H′ = 0.4614,
E = 0.6657). The absence of Chrysothrix in Gampaha and both Chrysothrix and Dirinaria in Ekala with the lowest
diversity and evenness indicates their vulnerability to air pollutants, while Pyxine, a pollution-tolerant genus, was
most dominant in Ekala. These findings emphasize the efficacy of lichen-based monitoring as a cost-effective and
ecologically meaningful approach to assess air pollution gradients while promoting sustainable agriculture in the
country.
Keywords: Lichen bioindicators, Air pollution, Shannon-Wiener index, Pielou’s Evenness Index

WELFARE STATUS OF DAIRY CATTLE UNDER EXTENSIVE AND INTENSIVE FARMING SYSTEM IN HAMBANTOTA DISTRICT, SRI LANKA

WASB Madushani — 2025-06-29

The dairy sector is one of the emerging industries in Sri Lanka, where animal welfare is poorly addressed by the scientific community. The well-being of dairy cattle housed under two different management practices (intensive and extensive farming) in the Hambantota district, Sri Lanka was compared for five freedom (5F) concept and behavioral assessment using semi-structured and pre-tested questionnaires. Altogether 50 dairy cattle were observed in the extensive and intensive management practices for 30 days continuously. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS using descriptive studies and student’s T-test at p=0.05. The average of five freedom (5F) factors for the extensive management system was 37.07% which reflects “Good” and for the intensive was 44.86%, and welfare status is “Normal”. The welfare status of both management systems was significantly different (p<0.05). Cattle exhibit a diverse range of behaviors in both management systems with significant differences (p<0.05), except resting, licking, rumination and execration; the rest of the behaviors were in the highest mean rank in the intensive management system. There is no significant difference (p>0.05) between intensive and extensive management systems based on climatological parameters (Temperature, Relative humidity and Thermal heat index). Based on the 5F concept extensive better than intensive management systems in the dairy industry in the Hambantota district of Sri Lanka. This study in animal ethogram will help to improve precision farming techniques, sensor technology, and data analytics that have enabled real-time monitoring of animal health, behavior, and environmental conditions in the future in Sri Lanka.

DEVELOPMENT, OPTIMIZATION, AND SHELF-LIFE STUDY OF ‘FISH JELLY’ FROM HILSA (Tenualosa ilisha): NUTRITIONAL, SENSORY, AND MICROBIOLOGICAL EVALUATION

Md Masud Rana — 2025-06-29

Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) is a highly prized and nutritionally rich fish species found in South Asia's rivers and coastal regions. Food innovation and value addition are becoming increasingly important in the current era. Developing a "Fish Jelly" derived from Hilsa can be a unique and innovative product that caters to the growing demand for convenient and nutritious seafood items. Hilsa meat is carefully processed to extract the purest form of fish protein to develop fish jelly. Subsequently, innovative techniques are employed to create a jelly-like texture that preserves the flavor, aroma, and nutritional value of Hilsa. In case of sensory attributes evaluation, higher values were recorded for all three jellies when stored in refrigerated condition compared to those stored in ambient temperature. Significantly higher protein, lipid and ash contents was recorded in product-03 (FJ₃) as 4.0%, product-01 (FJ₁) as 26.9% and product-03 (FJ₃) as 2.79%, respectively. Alongside, all three jellies were reported to have rich and diversified fatty acid profile. Since the acceptable limit for total bacterial count is ≤105 CFU/gm, all three jellies remained safe for consumption for up to 45 days when stored at ambient temperature and when stored in refrigerated temperature, FJ₂ jellies were found satisfactory for up to 90 days, while FJ₁ and FJ₃ jellies remained satisfactory for up to 135 days. The findings of this study have the potential to introduce a unique and value-added seafood product to the market, promoting the sustainable utilization of Hilsa fish resources and diversifying the product range for the seafood industry.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ORGANIC FERTILIZERS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF POTTED Cucumis anguria L. (var. Chandini)

Mathurangani Prabaharan — 2025-06-29

The extensive application of chemical fertilizers has raised serious concerns regarding their impact on agricultural sustainability. In response, organic fertilizers have gained importance as a sustainable alternative, enhancing soil health, boosting crop productivity, and promoting environmentally friendly agricultural practices. This study evaluated the effects of various organic fertilizers on growth and yield of Cucumis anguria L. (var. Chandini) through a pot experiment conducted at University Farm, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, from July to September 2024. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 12 treatments and five replicates. The treatments included: T1 (Amirthakaraisal), T2 (Jeewamrutha), T3 (Modified Panchagavya), T4 (Fish Tonic), T5 (Kunapajala), T6 (Sasyagavya), T7 (Compost), T8 (Discovery), T9 (Vegi Super), T10 (Cocoly), T11 (Maxicrop), and T12 (Control). Growth and yield parameters were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA in MINITAB 17. The results revealed significant (p < 0.05) improvements in plants treated with T10, which exhibited superior performance in vine length (38.33%), number of leaves (40.3%), number of branches (65.91%), chlorophyll content (32.65%), leaf area (84.31%), shoot fresh (61.6%) and dry (67.87%) weights, root fresh (68.94%) and dry (70.38%) weights, root length (38.8%), number of pods per vine (73.74%), yield per vine (69.63%) and total yield (69.63%), achieving the highest net profit of Rs. 405,758.14/ha compared to T12. Based on these findings, the use of Cocoly fertilizer is highly recommended for farmers, as it significantly enhances the growth and yield of Cucumis anguria L. and offers a profitable option for sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation in the dry zone of Sri Lanka.

THE CHALLENGES AND POTENTIAL OF VERTICAL FARMING IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Muhammad Afif Rusydi Haji Muhd Kartolo — 2025-06-29

The issue of food security in Brunei justifies the need to increase the local agricultural
production effectively due to the constraint of land scares for farming where the soil acidity
in Brunei is high which affect the crop production. Furthermore, climate change has affected
the way people do farming. Vertical Farming (VF) plays an important role in modern
agricultural practices today. VF has the potential to produce crops all year round and using
less land. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to study the potential of VF as a solution for food
security by examining the challenges and solutions of VF practice in Brunei Darussalam. In
depth interviews were conducted with respondents consist 12 modern farmers in Brunei, 1
officer in Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, 1 academics, and 1 services provider. The
research findings reveal challenges encountered by farmers in Brunei practicing modern
farming methods VF such as high investment cost; unpredictable weather condition; market
dynamics and competition; Nutrient distribution, pest and disease; light distribution and the
need of skilled labour. However, VF has the potential to attract youth to participate in the
agriculture. The significant of the study provides valuable insight regarding the potential of
VF as a solution for food security and may benefit farmers, youth and policy makers
regarding modern application of VF in Brunei.

FISHERIES RESOURCES IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM: A REVIEW

Adriyana Syazwani @ Ayuni Binti Supian — 2025-06-29

Even though Brunei Darussalam has a high richness of fish and fisheries resources, relatively little research has been done on them to date. The nation's freshwater, brackish, and marine fishing resources are a blessing. The fishing state of Brunei Darussalam, which occupies 5,765 km² of territory and is officially separated into four districts (Brunei-Muara, Tutong, Belait, and Temburong), is situated in the northwest of the island of Borneo. The government of Brunei has implemented several National Development Plans since 1965 to try to move the nation's economy away from the traditional oil and gas industry. The increasing demand for high-quality fish products in both domestic and international markets, along with the availability of viable sites, have made fisheries and aquaculture one of the development priorities. This systematic review is therefore focused on investigating these fish and fishery resources