HORDI Sub Institute7-Wagolla

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HORDI Sub centers

Adaptive Research Unit (ARU) - Wagolla

Adaptive Research Unit (ARU), Wagolla was established to provide vital support services to the main Horticultural Crops Research and Development Institute (HORDI) and its primary research centers. This  is strategically located in Rambukkana, Kegalle, this unit operates in a unique agricultural environment highly suited for diverse agricultural trials.

The Wagolla ARU is supervised by the division of Plant Breeding and currently governed by HORDI.

Agro-Ecological & Climatic Profile

Understanding the specific environmental parameters of the research station is vital for its adaptability and technology testing mandates. The unit operates under the following conditions:

  • Agro-Ecological Zone: The unit belongs to the Low Country Wet Zone (WL2b) agro-ecological region of Sri Lanka.
  • Climatic Conditions:
    • Rainfall: Characterized by a high long-term average annual rainfall exceeding 2,200 mm, primarily driven by the monsoons.
    • Temperature: The region features a warm, humid tropical climate with a mean ambient temperature of approximately 24.5°C to 25.0°C.
  • Dominant Soil Type: Red-Yellow Podzolic soils. These well-drained, moderately fine-textured, and strongly acidic soils are ideal for the regional cultivation of mixed home gardens and specific vegetable varieties.

Core Mission & Responsibilities

The ARU Wagolla plays a critical role in bridging the gap between crop development and field-level implementation. Its primary mandate includes:

  • High-Quality Seed Production: Ensuring the production of breeder, nuclear, and parental line seeds for recommended crop varieties.
  • Seed Multiplication: Multiplying seeds for promising new breeding lines.
  • Adaptability & Technology Testing: Serving as a mandatory testing ground for newly developed, promising crop lines and agricultural technologies prior to their official public release.

Key Activities & Research Focus

To support and achieve the national targets of HORDI, the unit is actively engaged in the following key operations:

  • Breeder & Nuclear Seed Production: Producing high-quality breeder, nuclear, and parental line seeds for recommended  varieties.
  • Promising Line Multiplication: Scaling up seed stocks of high-potential breeding lines.
  • Germplasm Evaluation & Purification: Evaluating, screening, and selecting germplasms, as well as purifying selected lines for ongoing variety development programs.
  • National Coordinating Variety Testing (NCVT): Conducting rigorous NCVT trials for diverse vegetable crops.

Technology Development Support: Contributing actively to broader agricultural technology development and research initiatives when required.

Contact Information & Key Personnel

Mrs. N.B.U.Dissanayaka

Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research)
Supervising Officer

Mr. R.P.P. Amarasinghe

Agriculture Instructor
Officer- in-Charge (OIC)

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