Professor Lal P Vidhana Arachchi
Position: Senior Professor
lal_pva@yahoo.com
Qualifications
Academic Qualification: PhD in Soil and Water Management, J'Pura Sri Lanka- 1997
MSc in Soil Physics, University of Science, Malaysia -1992
BSc (Hon) in Agricultural Sciences, Pdn Sri Lanka-1986
Post Doctoral Fellowships: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission,Soil and Water Management,University of Reading, UK-2012
JIRCAS (Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences), Japan-Soil and Water Management-2004-2005
Fellowship on Waste Management, University of Ryukyus, Japan-2001-2003
Fellowship on Clay Minerology, University of Ryukyus, Japan-1999-2001
Visiting Researcher, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Bangkok-1997
Membership of Professional Bodies/Associations
Member of the New York Academy of Sciences, USA
Member of five Academic Societies in Sri Lanka
Awards and patents:
1. Seven President’s awards for Scientific Research Publications in top 10% SCI Journals in 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2004, 2003, and 1999
2. Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship 2012, University of Reading, UK.
3. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka awarded a certificate for a patent received for innovative findings of Weligama Coconut Leaf Wilt Disease
4. Competitive award for the JIRCAS (Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences) Research Fellowship-2004-2005
5. An award winner for the best presentation of the session of crop physiology and modeling –crop and soil technologies of the 3rd International symposium held on 26th -28th August 2010, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.
6.An award winner for the best presentation of the staff development course, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, 2009
7 An award winner for the best presentation at the 5th annual congress of the Post Graduate Institute, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. November 4-5, 1993.
8. A nominee to the UNESCO National Commission for the MAB young Scientist award in 1998 (Man and Biosphere) by the steering committee of the Sri Lanka Association of the Advancement of Science (SLASS)
Patent: A patent has been granted for innovative findings of Weligama Coconut Leaf Wilt Disease (Patent No. 16121)
Professional Achievements:
Consultant and Assistant Secretary to the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME), Okinawa, Japan-2002-2004
Research Interests
Global Warming and Climate Change
Soil Water Conservation
Soil and Water Engineering
Water Mangement in Degraded Lands
Reclamation of Degraded Lands
Management Strategies to improve coconut production
Clay Minerology
Current Research Projects
Was a Principal Investigator of seven outside funded projects
Recent Publications
Books:
Lal P Vidhana Arachchi (2012). Hand book for Soil Science. Godage International Publishers, Sri Lanka, ISBN No. 978-955-30-3496-0
Lal P Vidhana Arachchi (2011). Reclamation of degraded lands in Sri Lanka. Godage International Publishers,Sri Lanka, ISBN No. 978-955-30-3234-8
Research Publications:
Wimalasiri, G.E.M., Ranasinghe, P., D.M.A Gunaratne and Vidhana Arachchi, L.P. (2016). Antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties of kithul (Caryota urens) flour. Procedia Food Science 6:181-185
Anil Gunaratne, Kao Wu, Lilia Collado, Ren-You Gan, Vidhana Arachchi, L.P., Kapila Kumara, Sarath Malavi Pathirana and Harold Corke (2016). Physicochemical and functional properties of Caryota Urens flour as compared to wheat flour. International Journal of Food Science and Technology 51(12):2647-2653
W.T.D.B.Rupasinghe, L.L.W.C.Yalegama, L.P.Vidana Arachchi and D.M.A.Gunarathne (2013) Characterization of coconut oil in different varieties in Sri Lanka (Trinidad) 90 (4): 205-216
Vidhana Arachchi, L.P., Vidhanaarachchi, V.R.M., and Epasinghe, E.S.P. (2012). Effect of soil physical and water stress on biochemical aspects of coconut seedlings (Cocos nucifera L.) in Sri Lanka. The Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 7:113-133
Vidhana Arachchi, L.P., Katsuta, Y. and D.M.A. Gunaratne (2012). Evaluation of the performance of underground drip irrigation system in fertigating sugarcane. Tropical Agriculture (Trinidad), 89(1): 17-24
Anil Gunaratne, Nihal sirisena, Upul Kumari Ratnayaka, Jennet Ratnayaka, Xiangli Kong, Lal Peruma Vidhana Arachchi (2011). Effect of fertilizer on functional properties of flour from four rice varieties grown in Sri Lanka. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 91(7):1271-1276.
Anil Gunaratne, Upul Kumari Ratnayake, Nihal Sirisena, Jennet ratnayaka, Xiangli Kong, Lal Vidhana Arachchi, Harold Corke (2011). Effect of soil moisture stress from flowering to grain maturity on functional properties Sri Lankan rice flour. Starch 63 (5):283-290.
Senarathne, S.H.S., D.N.M. Dissanayake and L.P. Vidhana Arachchi (2010). Allelopathic potential of Brachiaria brizantha and B. milliformis on seed germination of selected bioassay species, Pakistan Journal of weed Science Research 16(2):207-216.
Wekumbura, W.G.C., Mohotti, A.J., Vidhana Arachchi, L.P. and Mohotti, K.M. (2010). Comparison of assimilate partitioning in organically and conventionally grown tea. The Journal of Agricultural Sciences 5(1):32-41.
Vidhana Arachchi, L.P. (2009). Effect of deep ploughing on the soil water status of highly and less compacted soils for coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) production in Sri Lanka. Soil and Tillage Research, 103:350-355.
Alexander Perera De Bakker, Tokashiki, Y., Vidhana Arachchi L P. and M. Kito (2005). Characterization of clay minerals and elemental compositions between Fe/Mn nodules and their surrounding soils distributed in Okinawa, Japan Pedologist 49 (1):22-32
Vidhana Arachchi, L.P., Y. Tokashiki, and S. Baba (2004). Mineralogical characteristics and micromorphological observations of brittle/soft Fe/Mn concretions from Okinawan soils. Clays and Clay Minerals, Journal of the Clay Minerals Society 52(4): 462-472
Tokashiki, Y., N. Kai, Hentona, T., Shimo, M. and Vidhana Arachchi, L. P. (2003) A successive selective dissolution procedure for separation of birnessite, lithiophorite, and goethite in manganese nodules. Soil Science Society of America Journal 67(3): 837-84
Vidhana Arachchi L P and Liyanage (2003). Soil water content under coconut palms in sole and mixed (with nitrogen-fixing trees) stands in Sri Lanka. Agroforestry Systems. 57:1-9.
Tokashiki, Y., L. P. Vidhana Arachchi, and Alexandre Pereira De Baker (2003). Application of the successive selective dissolution procedure to distinguish todorokite from other minerals and their micromorphological observations. Clay Science. Japan 12(3):109-119.
Alexander Perera De Bakker, Tokashiki, Y. and Vidhana Arachchi L P. (2003). Mineralogy of Okinawan terrestrial Fe/Mn nodules and their surrounding soils. Clay Science, Japan 12(3):121-130.
Alexander Perera De Bakker, Tokashiki, Y., Vidhana Arachchi L P. (2003). Characterization and micromorphological observations of Fe/Mn and silicate minerals in Okinawan and Brazilian soils. Clay Science, Japan 12(1):49-61.
Vidhana Arachchi L. P., Yapa, P.A.J., Mapa, R.B., and Sopapala, H. (2000). Soil Physical constraints and their effect on morphological characters of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) roots. Asian and Pacific Coconut Community, Coconut Research and Development (CORD), 16: 14-33.
Vidhana Arachchi, L. P., Mapa, R.B., Yapa, P.A.J. and H. Somapala (1999). Soil water extraction pattern of coconut (Cocos nucifera L. ) roots in relation to soil compaction, Cocos, Journal of Coconut Research Institute, Sri Lanka, 13: 66-80.
Vidhana Arachchi L P (1998). Preliminary requirements to design a suitable drip irrigation system for coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) in gravelly soils. Agricultural Water Management, 38: 169-180.
Vidhana Arachchi L P and Liyanage M de S (1998). Soil physical conditions and root growth in coconut plantations interplanted with nitrogen fixing trees in Sri Lanka. Agroforestry Systems, 39(3): 305-318
Vidhana Arachchi L P (1998). An evaluation of different mulches used in soil moisture conservation in coconut lands. Asian and Pacific Coconut Community, Coconut Research and Development (CORD), 14: 12-27.
Vidhana Arachchi, L. P. and L. L. W. Somasiri (1997). Use of coir dust on sandy soils to improve coconut productivity. Cocos, Journal of Coconut Research Institute, Sri Lanka, 12:1-9.
Vidhana Arachchi L P and Liyanage M de S (1996). Performance of Gliricidia sepium seedlings and cuttings on improvement of soil physical properties. J. of Agricultural Science, Sri Lanka 33:1-19.
Vidhana Arachchi L P and Liyanage M de S (1996). Role Gliricidia sepium on physical improvement of gravelly soil. Cocos. Journal the Coconut Research Institute, Sri Lanka, 11:40-53.
Vidhana Arachchi, L. P. Mapa, R.B., Yapa, P.A.J. and H. Somapala (1996). Characterization of soil physical properties in Andigama series in relation to coconut root growth. Tropical agricultural Research, Sri Lanaka, 8: 64-77.
Vidhana Arachchi L P and Yahya Mohd Nor (1994). Influence of palm oil sludge on physical properties of soil and development in oil palm seedlings (Elaeis guineensis). Trop. Agric. (Trinidad), 71:95-99.
Vidhana Arachchi L P and Yahya Mohd Nor (1994). Nitrogen dynamics of palm oil sludge-urea-amended soil on the growth of oil palm seedling (Elaeis guineensis). Trop. Agric. (Trinidad), 71:260-265.
Vidhana Arachchi L P and Yahya Mohd Nor (1994). Emission of nitrous oxide, nitrogen and methane in palm oil sludge amended soil. Tropical Agricultural Research, Sri Lanka, 6:148-156.
Vidhana Arachchi, L.P. and Yahya Mohd Nor (1993). Effect of oil palm sludge on soil properties and growth of oil palm seedlings, Elaeis guineensis. Tropical Agricultural Research 5:294-306.
And other 10 publications in refereed Journals.
In addition, five book chapters and 45 presentations in National and International level.