FULL NAME

Wanni Arachchilage Disna Ratnasekera

DATE OF BIRTH

Born May 20, 1967

NATIONALITY

Sri Lankan

HOME ADDRESS

88/1D, Kuruppumulla,Panadura, Sri Lanka.

OFFICE ADDRESS

Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Mapalana, Kamburupitiya, Sri Lanka.

TELEPHONE

+94602412599(home)

+94718232808(mobile)

E-MAIL

disnar@agbio.ruh.ac

disnaratnasekera@gmail.com

HIGHER EDUCATION

• PhD China Agricultural University, Beijing, China. -Major: Plant Physiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Title: Evidence for involvement of an Arabidopsis CDPK gene, WDSS1 in response to drought stress . (2004-2007)

• MSc in Agriculture, Post Graduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. (1999-2002)

• BSc in Agriculture, Second Class (Upper Division) Honors. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. (1990-1994)

MAJOR RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Investigations of plant genetic resources for conservation and plant improvement.

• Investigations on the effect of biotic and abiotic stress responses of plant species.

• Use of in vitro techniques as a tool in plant physiology and plant breeding for plant improvement.

• Conservation and domestication of crop wild relatives.

COURSES ATTENDED

• Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education. Staff Development Centre, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (2002).

TECHNICAL TRAINERS AWARD IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

Overseas:

• Training on Integrated Pest Management from 28th April to 4th July 2003, IAC, Wageningen, The Netherlands. (IPM Information Systems-2 weeks, Participatory IPM Extension- 2 weeks, IPM Technology- 4 weeks and Role of Pesticides in IPM- 2 weeks).

• EndeavorPostDoctoralFellowship(2014)-Universityof SouthernQueensland,Toowoomba,Australia.

• Borlaug Fellowship (2017) - Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.

• ICGEB(2016) - ShortCourseon“RNAstructureandfunction”,Trieste, Italy.

• An advanced training program on Arabidopsis Research, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China (from 20th Sep to 20th Nov. 2007).

• International course on Plant genetic resources and seeds: policies, conservation and use. 01-19 November 2010, organized by Wageningen UR Center and MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, India.

• International Conference on Eliminating Hunger and Poverty: Priorities in Global Agricultural Research and Development Agenda in an Era of Climate Change and rising food prices in Chennai from 7-9 August 2010, Organized by MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, India.

Local:

• MeritAwardforScientificPublications2014,NationalResearchCouncil,SriLanka

• CertificateinTeachinginHigherEducation.StaffDevelopmentCentre,Universityof Colombo,SriLanka(2002)

• National Training Program on genetics and Molecular Breeding to produce perennial crop varieties. From 9-13 Dec 2002, Department of Export Agriculture in collaboration with IAEA, Vienna, Austria.

• Workshop on Research Supervision in the 21st Century on 5th Sep. 2008, organized by British Council with the University of Durham UK, UGC Sri Lanka and IRQUE Sri Lanka.

• Short Course on Molecular Plant Breeding in 18th–19th Nov. 2008, Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, University of Peradeniya.

• Workshop on Biosafety, Risk Assessment and Management of Genetically Modified organisms, Food Feed and processed Products. 7th to 9th September 2010, organized by The ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka.

PRESENT EMPLOYMENT

• Professor, Department of Agric. Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Mapalana, Kamburupitiya. Sri Lanka, (From: 4th January 1999 up to date) Duties: Teaching and Research in Plant Protection, Molecular Biology and Plant Physiology.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Teaching

• Temporary Lecturer in Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. 1997 December to 1998 December.Duties: Teaching and Research in Entomology, Plant Protection, and Plant Physiology.

• Temporary Demonstrator in Agric. Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna from 1996 July to 1997.April. Duties: Teaching and Research in Plant Protections.

• Temporary Assistant Lecturer in Agric. Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna from 17 April 1995-1996. Duties: Teaching and Research in Food Science and Technology.

Research

• Research Assistant in Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna from 1997 July to December. Supervisor Prof. Rohan Rajapakse.

• Research Assistant in Crop Protection, Horticultural Crop Research and Development Institute, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya from 1996 May to 1996 July, Supervisor Dr. C. Kudagamage, Director (HORDI). Duties: Research in Bio Control and IPM programs.

• Six months research in Institute of Technology and Industry (ITI) Colombo, Sri Lanka on "Some studies done on pickling of Baby Corn" Supervisor Dr. N. Ediriweera, Head, Agro and Food Technology Division, ITI, Colombo.

SUPERVISION OF RESEARCH STUDENTS

• Number of undergraduate students supervised- Completed 07, On going 04

• Number of postgraduate students supervised - M.Phil. – On going 04

Consultancies undertaken

• Team Member - Preparation of the “Spice and allied Crops Development Plan 2014-2025 for Sri Lanka” (contracted by the Ministry of Export Crop Promotion and FAO, Sri Lanka 2013-2014)

• Stakeholder-UNEF/GEFprojectsunderMinistryofEnvironmentandNaturalResourcesfrom2010touptodate

SeniorConsultant -YoungProfessionalsPlatformonAgricultural ResearchforDevelopment (YPARD-Asia),FAO

Review & editorialWork – Conference Proceedings

• Reviewer–SLAASAnnualSessions–2008,2009

• Reviewer–AnnualAcademicSessions,2012,OpenUniversitySriLanka

Reviewer-9thSciencesymposium2011,FacultyofScience,UniversityofRuhuna

Reviewer-ConferenceproceedingsofPromotionandProtectionofHumanRightsin theWorld,India

Reviewer–AnnualCongress,PGIA,UniversityofPeradeniya–2010

Reviewer-1st RuhunaInternationalScienceandTechnologyConference(RISTCON) 2014,FacultyofScience,UniversityofRuhuna

Reviewer–PeradeniyaUniversityResearchSessions,(PURSE)2012,Universityof Peradeniya

Reviewer–ConferenceofAgriculturalSciences,2014,SabaragamuwaUniversityof SriLanka

Reviewer–AcademicSessionsandViceChancellorsAwards–2013,UniversityofRuhuna

Reviewer–InternationalSymposium–2010,FacultyofAgriculture,Universityof Ruhuna

Reviewer–InternationalSymposium–2012,FacultyofAgriculture,Universityof Ruhuna

Multi-country & Local Research Projects

• Team Leader -Develop integrated agro-biodiversity management courses at certificate, diploma and postgraduate levels (Sub project to UOR under Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation and Use in Sri Lanka Agro- Ecosystem for livelihoods and Operation to Climate Change (BACC Project) funded by UNEP/ GEF – Bioversity 2015-2019

• Team Leader -Species interaction among invasive Prosopis juliflora and other flora species in Bundala National Park,Sub project to UOR under GEF/UNDP project on “IAS in Sri Lanka”, 2014-2015

Team Leader - Mainstreaming biodiversity for food and Nutrition, Sub project to UOR under UNEP/ GEF – Bioversity International 2012-2013

Team Leader - In-situ Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives through Enhanced Information Management and Field Application, Sub project to UOR under UNEP/ GEF – Bioversity International 2009-2011

PI - Development of iron toxicity tolerant rice lines using anther culture (NARP 2011)

PI - Evolutionary divergence and genetic differentiation of weedy rice populations at local spatial scale (TURIS/UOR 2011)

PI - Study on the Origin and Evolutionary Genomics of Weedy Rice (Oryza sativaf Spontanea) in Sri Lanka for its Effective Management (NRC 2015)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• 2002 onward Life member, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS).

• Life member of Plant Protection Association of Sri Lanka from 2002.

• Senior Consultant and Member of Young Professionals Platformon Agricultural Research for Development(YPARD-Asia),FAO.

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

Michael Thompson, Dananjali Gamage, Disna Ratnasekera, Anton Perera, Anke Martin, Saman Seneweera 2019. Effect of elevated carbon dioxide on plant biomass and grain protein concentration differs across bread, durum and synthetic hexaploid wheat genotypes.J Cereal Sciences,doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2019.03.007.

Ayman EL Sabagh, Akbar Hossain, Celaleddin Barutçular, Mohammad Sohidul Islam, Disna Ratnasekera, Narendra Kumar, Ram S Meena, Hany Sobhy Gharib, Hirofumi Saneoka, Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva 2019. Drought and salinity stress management for higher and sustainable canola (Brassica napus L.) production: a critical review.AJCS 13(01):88-97, DOI:10.21475/ajcs.19.13.01.p1284

Salinda Sandamal, Asanka Tennakoon, Qing‐Lin Meng, Buddhi Marambe, Disna Ratnasekera, Arthur Melo, Song Ge 2018. Population genetics and evolutionary history of the wild rice species Oryza rufipogon and O. nivara in Sri Lanka. Ecology and EvolutionDOI: 10.1002/ece3.4665

S Sandmal, A Tennakoon, DABAmrasekera, B Marambe and Disna Ratnasekera2018. Eco-geographic variation of common wild rice- Oryza rufipogon Griff.Pla. Sci. 2018; Vol. 01 Iss. 02: 36-43

Salinda Sandamal, Asanka Tennakoon, Disna Ratnasekera, DABN Gunarathna, B Marambe2018.Functional trait diversity among wild rice species in Sri Lanka; implications for field identification and application JNSF, Sri Lanka (under review)

Ayman EL Sabagh, Akbar Hossain, Celaleddin Barutçular, Abdelaal AA Khaled, Shah Fahad, Folake B Anjorin, Mohammad Sohidul Islam, Disna Ratnasekera, Ferhat Kizilgeçi, Gulab Singh Yadav, Mehmet Yıldırım, Omer Konuskan, Hirofumi Saneoka 2018. Sustainable maize (zea mays L.) production under drought stress by understanding its adverse effect, survival mechanism and drought tolerance indices.JEBAS, 6(2)

Islam MR, MRAlam, A EL Sabagh, C Barutçular, Disna Ratnasekera, FKizilgeçi, MS Islam2018. Evaluation of turmeric-mung bean intercrop productivity through competition functions. Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 111(1), 199 – 207

Ayman EL Sabagh, A. Hossain, M.S. Islam, C. Barutcular, Disna Ratnasekera, N.Kumar, Popović Vera, H. Saneoka 2018. Role of osmoprotectants and soil amendments in sustainable soybean production under drought stress: A Review. JEBAS 5(6)1: 32-41

Lachat C, Raneri J, Walker Smith K, Kolsteren P, Van Damme P, Verzelen K, Penafiel D, Vanhove W, Kennedy G, Hunter D, Oduor Odhiambo F, Ntandou-Bouzitou G, De Baets B, DisnaRatnasekera , The Ky H, Remans R, Termote C 2017. Dietary species richness as a measure of food biodiversity and nutritional quality of diets. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1709194115(SCI)

U.I.P. Perera, K.K.J. Chandika and Disna Ratnasekera2017. Genetic variation, character association and evaluation of mungbean genotypes for agronomic and yield components. JNSF, Sri Lanka 45 (4): 347 – 353(SCI)

MAMajid,M.SaifulIslam,AElSabagh,MKHasan,MOSaddam,CBarutcular,Disna Ratnasekera,AbdelaalAAKhaledandMSIslam.2017.Evaluationofgrowthandyieldtraitsincornunderirrigationregimesinsub-tropicalclimate.JEBAS5(2) 143-150.

MAMajid,M.SaifulIslam,AElSabagh,MKHasan,MOSaddam,CBarutcular,Disna Ratnasekera,AbdelaalAAKhaledandMSIslam.2017.Influenceofvaryingnitrogen levelsongrowth,yieldandnitrogenuseefficiencyofhybridmaize(zeamays)JEBAS5(2)134-142.

Mominur Rahman, Fatima Zahan, Shafiqul Islam Sikdar, Ayman El Sabagh, Disna Ratnasekera, Celaleddin Barutcular, Mohammad Sohidul Islam 2017. Evaluation of salt tolerance mungbean genotypes and mitigation of salt stress through potassium nitrate fertilization. FEB, 26(12), 7218-7226

Ayman EL Sabagh, Akbar Hossain, Celaleddin Barutçular, Folake B Anjorin, Mohammad Sohidul Islam, Disna Ratnasekera, Ferhat Kizilgeçi,Gulab Singh Yadav, Mehmet Yıldırım, Hirofumi Saneoka, 2017. A review on various factors which affecting sustainable maize (Zea mays l.) production under drought stress. JEBAS, 5(6).

CelaleddinBarutcular,AymanElSabagh,MujdeKocandDisnaRatnasekera2017.Relationshipsbetweengrainyieldandphysiologicaltraitsofdurumwheatvarietiesunderdroughtandhightemperaturestressinmediterraneanenvironments.FreseniusEnvironmentalBullet26(6)4282-4291

MD.K.Hasan,A.ELSabagh,MD.S.I.Sikdar,MD.J.Alam,D.Ratnasekera,C.Barutcular,Kh.A.A.Abdelaal,M.S.Islam2017.Comparativeadaptableagronomictraitsofblackgramandmungbeanforsalinelands.PlantArchives17(1): 589-593

DisnaRatnasekera,2016.FactorscontributinginvasionofAlienInvasiveSpeciesprosopis juliflorainBundalaNationalParkinSriLanka.JournalofAgriSearch.3(3):170-174

ZouJun-Jie,Xi-DongLi,DisnaRatnasekera,Cun Wang,Wen-Xin Liu,Lian-FenSong,Wen-ZhengZhang,WuWei-Hua2015.ArabidopsisCPK8andCAT3functioninabscisicacid-mediatedsignalingandH2O2homeostasisinstomatalguardcellsunderdroughtstress. ThePLANTCell.(DOI10.1105/tpc.15.00144):1-16(SCI)

DisnaRatnasekeraandAPTSubhashi2015.Morpho-PhysiologicalResponseofSelectedMungbean(VignaradiataL.)SriLankanGenotypestoDroughtStress.JournalofAgriSearch.2(3):162-166

DisnaRatnasekera2015.Weedyrice:AthreattopaddyproductioninSriLanka(AReview)JournalofUniversityofRuhuna(JUR)1:4-13

DisnaRatnasekeraandAPTSubhashi2015.GeographicVariationofWildRice:Oryzanivara(S.D.SharmaandShastry)PopulationsinSriLanka.InternationalJournalofTropicalAgriculture33(4):3235-3238

DisnaRatnasekeraandKMASKRupasingha2015.Morpho-physiologicalseeddynamicsofweedyricecollectedfromtwocontrastingagro-ecologicalzonesinSri Lanka.JournalofTropicalForest&Environment5(2):67-75

DisnaRatnasekera,UIPPerera,APTSubhashi2015.Impactofsoilseedbankdynamicsonweedyricedistributionandfarmerinvolvementinmanagement:Casestudyin Maratadistrict,SriLanka.JournalofAgriSearch2(4):251-256

HeZhuoxian,JiangXiaoqi,DisnaRatnasekera,FabrizioGrassi,UdugahapattuwageIP Perera,Bao-RongLu2014.Seed-mediatedgeneflowpromoteswithin-populationgeneticvariationofweedyrice:Implicationsforweedmanagement.PLOSONE.9(12):1-21(SCI)

DisnaRatnasekera,UdugahapattuwageIPPerera,ZhuoxianHe,SenanayakageGJN Senanayake,GamageAWWijesekara,XiaoYangandBaoRongLu2014.Highlevelof variationamongSriLankanweedyricepopulations,asestimatedbymorphological characterizationWBM.14:68-75(SCI)

U.I.P.Perera,DisnaRatnasekera,S.G.J.NSenanayake,D.SumithdeZ.Abeysiriwardena 2014.GeneticParametersandCorrelationsofYieldAttributingCharacteristicsofWeedyRice inSriLanka.JNSF,SriLanka42(4):299-306(SCI)

SAPMadurangi,DisnaRatnasekera,SGJNSenanayake,WLGSamarasingheandPV Hemachandra.2013.AntibiosisandantixenosiseffectsofO.nivaraaccessionsharboring bph2geneonBrownplanthopper[Nilaparvatalugens(Stal)]JNSF,SriLanka41(2):147-154. (SCI)

UIPPerera,APBentota,DisnaRatnasekaraandGaminiSenanayake2013.Heterosisin F1generationsoftwoindicaricecrossesforgrowthandyieldcharacteristics.J SabaragamuwaUniversityofSriLanka.8(3):136-141

APTSubhashi,DisnaRatnasekera,UIP Perera2013.Morphological variabilitypatternof SriLankanweedyrice:Anecologicalappraisal.JournalofHillAgriculture4(1):8-15

DisnaRatnasekeraandSAPMadurangi2013.Droughtstressonyieldperformancesof threemungbean(Vignaradiate(L.)Wilczek)varietiesinSriLanka.JofHillAgriculture4(2):106-109

DisnaRatnasekara2013.ACalciumDependantProteinkinaseinvolvesH2O2mediatedguardcellsignalinginArabidopsis.TropicalAgriculturalResearch&Extension,SriLanka. 12(1)

UIPPerera,DisnaRatnasekera,SAPMadurangi,SGJNSenanayake,APBentotaandGAWWijesekara2012.GeneticDivergenceofSriLankanweedyricebasedon quantitativemorphologicaltraits.JofTropicalAgriculturist,SriLanka160:41-54.

RHSRajapakseandDisnaRatnasekera2012.Thepotentialuseofindigenousplant materialsagainstCallosobruchuschinensisL.andCallosobruchusmaculatusL.(Coleoptera, Bruchidae)instoredlegumesinSriLanka.JBiopest,5(Supplementary):88-94.

SAPMadurangi,WLGSamarasinghe,SGJNSenanayake,PVHemachandra,Disna Ratnasekera2011.ResistanceofOryzanivaraandOryzaeichingeriderivedlinestobrown planthopper Nilaparvatalugens(Stal).JNSF,SriLanka39(2):175-181(SCI).

SDPSrimalee,DisnaRatnasekera,APBentota,SGJNSenanayake2011.CallusInduction andPlantRegenerationofSelectedSriLankanIndicaGenotypesviaAntherCultureJofTropicalAgriculturist,SriLanka159:135-142

Zou, J.J, Wei, F.J., Wang, C., Wu, J.J., Ratnasekera, D., Liu, W.X., Wu, W.H. 2010. Arabidopsis calcium-dependent protein kinase CPK10 functions in abscisic acid- and Ca2+-mediated stomatal regulation in response to drought stress. P MID: 20805328 (J of Plant Physiology, online publication).

Nayanathara, KHG and Disna Ratnasekera 2010. Efficacy of Cinnamon and Citronella oil vapours in the control of Callosobruchus chinensis L. in bulk stored green gram. J. Ent. Res. 34(3):201-211.

Madurangi, S A P., Ratnasekera, D., Hemachandra, P V., Senanayake, S G J N. 2010. Evaluation of Brown planthopper: Nilaparvata lugens (stal) resistance in Oryza nivara (wild rice) accessions found in Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the 15th International Forestry and Environmental Symposium, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura. pp 172-175.

Madurangi, S A P., Ratnasekera, D., Hemachandra, P V., Senanayake, S G J N. 2010. Morphological characterization of Oryza nivara (wild rice) accessions collected from Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 1st International Symposium, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. pp 23.

S.A.P. Madurangi, W.L.G. Samarasinghe, S.G.J.N. Senanayake, P.V. Hemachandra, Disna Ratnasekera 2010. Brown Plant Hopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stal), resistance in Oryza nivara and Oryza eichingeri derived lines in Sri Lanka JNSF, Sri Lanka (Accepted as a research article).

UIP Perera, AP Bentota, Disna Ratnasekera and SGJN Senanayake 2010. Heterosis and Genetic effects of some yield related characteristics of rice. Tropical Agricultural Research & Extension, Sri Lanka (submitted).

Disna Ratnasekera and Rohan Rajapakse 2009. Repellent properties of plant oil vapours on pulse beetle (Callasobruchus maculatus L.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in stored Green gram (Vigna radiata Walp.) Tropical Agricultural Research & Extension, Sri Lanka,12(1).

S.D.P. Srimalee, Disna Ratnasekera, A.P. Bentota, S.G.J.N. Senanayake 2009. Callus induction ability of selected genotypes in indica rice through anther culture. Proceedings of the 6th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna.

RHS Rajapakse and Disna Ratnasekera 2009. Pesticidal potential of some selected tropical plant extracts against Callosobruchus maculates (F) and Callosobruches chinensis (L) (Coleptera: Bruchidae). Tropical Agricultural Research and Extension, Sri Lanka,11.

W.A.C. Ruwan, Disna Ratnasekera, L. Hettiarachchi and S.D.P. Srimalee 2009. Suitable dormancy breaking method for selected rice varieties. Proceedings of the 2nd National Symposium, University of Ruhuna.

SAP Madurangi, G Samarasinghe, SGJN Senanayake, PV Hemachandra and Disna Ratnasekera, 2008. Investigation of Brown Plant Hopper resistance in Oryza nivara and Oryza eichinigeri derived lines. Proceedings of the 1st National Symposium, University of Ruhuna.

MGDK Warnakulasooriya, H Fonseka, SGJN Senanayake and Disna Ratnasekera, 2008. Effect of extended pollination time on fruit set and seed development and storage temperature on viability and storability of pollen of egg plant (Solanum melongena L.) Proceedings of the National Symposium, University of Ruhuna.

Rohan Rajapakse and Disna Ratnasekera, 2007. The management of the major insect pests Bactocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Aulacaphora spp. ( Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Cucurbits in Southern Sri Lanka under three intensive systems: Integrated, Chemical and Organic Agriculture. Proc. IIIrd IS on Cucurbits, Acta Hort. 731 ISHS, Australia.

Ratnasekera Disna, Amani Mannakkara, 2002. Effect of leaf pruning and bunch covering on yield and transport of calcium to the bunch of banana CV Mysore. (Embul banana- AAB) SLAAS 58th annual sessions.

R.H.S. Rajapakse, H.L. de Z. Rajapakse and Disna Ratnasekera 2002. Effect of Botanicals on Oviposition, Hatchability and Mortality of Callosobruchus maculatus L. (Bruchidae: Coleoptera) EntOmon, Kerala, India. 27 (1).

Kudagamage, C. Rajapakse, H.L. de Z, R.H.S. Rajapakse and Disna Ratnasekera, 2001. The population dynamics and insecticidal control of three hoppers Amritodus brevistylus, Idioscopus niveosparus and Idioscopus clypealis in mango. J. Ent. Res.25 (2): 121-125.

Fernando, G.A.W.N., Rajapakse R.H.S., and Disna Ratnasekera 2000. The oviposition habit and chemical control of root and stem borer Plocaederus ferrugineus L. (Coleoptera: cerambycidae) in cashew in Sri Lanka. J. Trop. Agric.Kerala, India.

Ratnasekara Disna, G.A.W.N. Fernando and Rohan H.S. Rajapakse 1999. Preliminary observations on identification and control of some important insect pests on cashew. SLAAS 55th annual sessions.

R.H.S. Rajapakse, H.K.C. Damayanthie, H.L. de Z Rajapakse and Disna Ratnaekera 1998. The effect of six powered botanicals on egg deposition, hatchability and adult mortality of Callosobruchus maculatus. 9th Inter Con. Of Pesticide Chemistry. London, UK. pp 3A-054.

R.H.S. Rajapakse, S.G.J.N. Senanayake and Disna Ratnasekera, 1998. The effects of five botanicals on oviposition adult emergence and mortality of Callosobruchus maculatus on cowpea J. Ent.Res. 22(2): 117-122.

R.H.S. Rajapakse and Disna Ratnasekera 1998. The effect of combining vegetable oils with pirimiphos methyl in the management of Callosobruchus maculatus in stored cowpea. Proc. 7th Inter. Conf. on Stored Product Protection. Beijing, China. Pp 809-811.

TKH Sahabandu, Rohan Rajapakse and Disna Ratnasekera 1998. The effect of three pesticides and pesticide interval of Cinnamomum veram galls in Southern Sri Lanka.The Madras Agric. J. India. 85(7) 9.

Kudagamage, C. R.S. Munasinghe, Rohan Rajapaksa and Disna Ratnasekera 1996. Potentials of Paciolomyces fumosorroseus in the control of cabgage caterpillars. Tropical Agriculturist.151:59-62.

Kudagamage, C. and Disna Ratnasekera 1997. Pests and diseases of cucurbitaceae and their control (Sinhala). University of Ruhuna .University of Reading Link Publication. pp 13.

R.H.S. Rajapakse and Disna Ratnasekera 1997. Studies on the distribution and control of galls in cinnamon caused by Trioza cinnamomi Boselli in Sri Lanka. Inter. J. Trop. Agric. Haryana, India. 15 (1-4): 53-56.

Peer reviewed Extended Abstracts

APT Subhashi, HLC Himanda,and Disna Ratnasekera 2016. Germination behavior of selected improved rice varieties under salt stress International Symposium (ISAE 2016), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna.

Disna Ratnasekera,APT Subhashi, T Eledchumysankar, K Jesuthasan, K.Thananjeyan,V Vairavanathan and Rohan Rajapakse2016. Morphological Diversity of wild rice (O. nivara S.D. Sharma & Shastry) accessions in Sri Lanka International Symposium (ISAE 2016), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. Accepted

PLPS Sandaruvini and Disna Ratnasekera2013. Callus induction ability of anthers in selected improved rice varieties in Sri Lanka. International Symposium (ISAE 2013), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. pp 525-527.

PLPS Sandaruvini and Disna Ratnasekera2013. Effect of cold pre treatment on callogenesis of selected indica rice genotypes via anther culture. International Symposium (ISAE 2013), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. pp 521-523

SA Nirukshi, AP Bentota, Disna Ratnasekera, APT Subhashi, Gamini Senanayake 2013.Evaluation of agronomic and yield characteristics of selected rice varieties grown under organic conditions. International Symposium (ISAE 2013), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. pp 529-532.

KMASK Rupasingha and Disna Ratnasekera2013.Germination behavior of weedy rice under field conditions at different sowing depths. International Symposium (ISAE 2013), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. pp 245-247.

KMASK Rupasingha, Disna Ratnasekera and Gamini Senanayake 2013.Variability of some morpho-physiological characteristics of weedy rice in Ampara District of Sri Lanka. International Symposium (ISAE 2013), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. pp 517-519.

PLPS Sandaruvini and Disna Ratnasekera 2013. Callus induction ability of selected Sri Lankan indica rice cultivas in compared to a japonica rice variety. Proceedings of YSF Symposium. pp166-168.

KMASK Rupasingha, D Ratnasekera, G Senanayake 2013. Variation of selected yield attributed traits of weedy rice populations in two different agro ecological zones in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of YSF Symposium. pp162-165

APTSubhashi, Disna Ratnasekera, KMASK Rupasingha, 2013.Comparison of Awn Variability of Weedy Rice Populations in Ampara and Matara District In Sri Lanka. Proceedings of YSF Symposium. pp175-176.

APTSubhashi and Disna Ratnasekera2013. Rice Seed Bank Dynamics in Matara District In Sri Lanka. Proceedings of YSF Symposium. pp 178-180.

KMASK Rupasingha, Disna Ratnasekera, APT Subhashiand Gamini Senanayake 2013.Morphological variability, Germination ability and Survival rate of Weedy rice seeds in Ampara and Matara districts of Sri Lanka. International Symposium, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. Pp47-51

SL Withana, Disna Ratnasekera, WLG Samarasinghe 2013. Morphological evaluation and Molecular screening for drought resistance for rice (Oryza sativa L.) International Symposium, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. Pp92-96

APTSubhashi and Disna Ratnasekera2013. Effect of simulated damage of Army worm, Mythimna separate (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on yield compensation of irrigated rice. International Symposium, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. Pp68-71

APTSubhashi, Disna Ratnasekera and Gamini Senanayake 2012.Morphological variation and ecological adaptation of weedy rice populations in Sri Lanka. International Symposium (ISAE 2012), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. pp 26-31.

Madurangi, SAP, Ratnasekera, D, Hemachandra, PV, Senanayake,SGJN 2010.Evaluation of Brown planthopper: Nilaparvata lugens (stal) resistance in Oryza nivara (wild rice) accessions found in Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the 15th International Forestry and Environmental Symposium, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura. pp 172-175.

UIP Perera, Disna Ratnasekera, SGJN Senanayake 2010. Morphological Diversity of Weedy Rice accessions Collected in Ampara. Proceedings of the 15th International Forestry and Environmental Symposium, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Sri Lanka

Rohan Rajapakse and Disna Ratnasekera, 2007. The management of the major insect pests Bactocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Aulacaphora spp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Cucurbits in Southern Sri Lanka under three intensive systems: Integrated, Chemical and Organic Agriculture. Proc. IIIrd IS on Cucurbits, Acta Hort. 731 ISHS, Australia.

RHS Rajapakse and Disna Ratnasekera1998. The effect of combining vegetable oils with pirimiphos methyl in the management of Callosobruchus maculatus in stored cowpea. Proc. 7th Inter. Conf. on Stored Product Protection. Beijing, China. Pp 809-811.

Disna Ratnasekera and R.H.S. Rajapakse 1996. Preliminary observations on identification and life biology of some important insect pests of cashew (Anacardium occidentale).Cashew Bulletin,vol.02 No.01.

Selected Abstracts & Conferences/Symposia Presentations

Sandamal Salinda,Tennakoon Asanka; D.A.B.N. Amarasekera; Ratnasekera Disna2018.Habitat fragmentation and isolation-by-distance driven population divergence of Oryza rufipogon in Sri Lanka,23rd International Forestry and Environment Symposium

Sandamal Salinda,Tennakoon Asanka; D.A.B.N. Amarasekera; Ratnasekera Disna2018. Among and within population diversity of Oryza nivara in Sri Lanka revealed by phenotypic characterization, ICDA 2018, 4th Internatinal Conference Dry Zone Agriculture, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Sandamal Salinda,Tennakoon Asanka; D.A.B.N. Amarasekera; Ratnasekera Disna2018.Genetic diversity and conservation of common wild rice (Oryza nivara) in Sri Lanka,4th International Research Symposium – RUSL 2018

Sandamal Salinda, Ratnasekera Disna, Tennakoon Asanka 2018. Variation in leaf physiological and anatomical characteristics of wild rice species in Sri Lanka, WinC – 2018, Wayamba International Conference

PLPS Sandaruvini and Disna Ratnasekera2014. Effect of medium and genotype on callus induction ability in some selected indica and japonica rice cultivars. . Proceedings of 69th Annual Sessions, Sri Lanka Association for the advancement of Science.(SLAAS).(P225)

PLPS Sandaruvini and Disna Ratnasekera2014. Callus Induction and Plant Regeneration of selected Indica and Japonica rice cultivars via Anther culture. Proceedings of the 11th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna.

KMASK Rupasingha and Disna Ratnasekera2014. Effect of weedy rice density on tillering and plant height of direct-seeded and transplanted rice. Proceedings of the 11th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna.

Himanda, H.L.C., Dilrukshi, M.K.S. and Ratnasekera, D. 2014. Correlation of Morpho-physiological Traits at Germination Stage of Vigna radiata (Mung bean) with Vigor of the Plant. Wayamba International Conference (WinC 2014), Sri Lanka. (Pp 256)

Dilrukshi M.K.S, Himanda H.L.C, Ratnasekera D2014. Impact of weeds on some yield components of cultivated and weedy rice under transplanted and direct seeded conditions. Wayamba International Conference (WinC 2014), Sri Lanka. (Pp252)

VS Jayamanne, Zhuo Chai, GSN Fernando, AAM Subodinee, WGU Kumari, SGJN Senanayake, Disna Ratnasekera 2014. Baseline Study on the Nutritional Status of Rural Population in Ambagahakanda Village adjacent to the Sinharaja Forest. Proceedings of the 11th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna.

K.M.A.S.K. Rupasingha, Disna Ratnasekera2014. Competitive ability of Weedy rice at early stages compared to Cultivated rice. Proceedings of the 11th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna.

KMASK Rupasingha, Disna Ratnasekera, APT Subhashiand Gamini Senanayake 2013.Morphological variability, Germination ability and Survival rate of Weedy rice seeds in Ampara and Matara districts of Sri Lanka. International Symposium, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. Pp47-51

D. Ratnasekera and IDP Gangodawatta 2013. Phylogenetic relationship among weedy, wild and cultivated species of Sri Lankan rice based on morphological traits. Proceedings of 7th International Rice Genetics Symposium, Manila, Philippines. P126

AP Bentota, D. Ratnasekera, SGJN Senanayake, UIP Perera 2013. Genetic variability, genetic advance and correlation for yield, yield componenets and some agronomic traits in weedy rice (Oryza sativa L. f spontanea) in Sri Lanka Proceedings of 7th International Rice Genetics Symposium, Manila, Philippines. P451

Disna Ratnasekera2013.Drought inducedfunction of ArabidopsisCPK8 in down regulating AtCAT3in guard cells. International Conference on Biotechnology for Better Tomorrow, Mauritius.

Disna Ratnasekera, Dilrukshi MKS, Himanda HLC, APTSubhashi, 2013. Comparison of competitive ability of cultivated rice and weedy rice with existing weeds at seedling stage. International Forestry and Environment Symposium, Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.(P25)

APTSubhashi and Disna Ratnasekera2013. Variability in Weedy Rice Infestation among Selected Locations in Matara District. Proceedings of 69th Annual Sessions, Sri Lanka Association for the advancement of Science.(SLAAS).(P224)

MKS Dilrukshi, HLC Himanda and Disna Ratnasekera2013. Impact of weeds on cultivated and weedy rice under transplanted and direct seeded conditions. Proceedings of the student session, International Symposium (ISAE 2013), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. pp 08.

HLC Himanda, MKS Dilrukshi and Disna Ratnasekera2013. Suitable vigour index for the fitness test of selected Mung Bean varieties under Sri Lankan Conditions. Proceedings of the student session, International Symposium (ISAE 2013), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. pp 14.

KMASK Rupasingha and Disna Ratnasekera 2013. Germination behavior of weedy and cultivated rice under field conditions. Proceedings of 69th Annual Sessions, Sri Lanka Association for the advancement of Science.(SLAAS).(P27)

KMASK Rupasingha, Disna Ratnasekera, APTSubhashi and Gamini Senanayake, 2013. Variability in some Yield Related Traits of Weedy Rice Populations in Matara and Ampara Districts in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 10th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna.

Disna Ratnasekera and PLPS Sandaruvini 2013. Potential use of Sri Lankan Traditional Rice Cultivars for Anther Culture, ITTFS, India

NSD.Sooriarachchi, Disna Ratnasekera, PLPS.Sandaruvini and Gamini Senanayake, 2013. Anther culture response of selected traditional rice varieties in Sri Lanka, Proceedings of the 10th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna.

APTSubhashi, Disna Ratnasekera, KMASK Rupasingha and Gamini Senanayake 2013.Diversity of awn characteristics of weedy rice populations in Matara and Ampara in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 10th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna.

U.I.P.Perera, Disna Ratnasekera, S.G.J.N Senanayake 2013. Distribution variation, cultural practices and farmer involvement in weedy rice management in Matara district. Proceedings of the 10th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna.

Madurangi, SAP, Disna Ratnasekera, Senanayake, SGJN, Samarasinghe WLG, Hemachandra PV, 2012. Evaluation of resistance of wild rice; Oryza nivara for feeding by brown plant hopper hopper Nilaparvata lugens(stal) populations. Proceedings of the International Forestry and Environmental Symposium 2012, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Sri Lanka. pp 3.

Perera, UIP, Disna Ratnasekera and SAPMadurangi 2012. Diversity and in-situ morphological characterization of weedy rice in selected locations of Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the International Forestry and Environmental Symposium 2012, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Sri Lanka. pp 35.

Perera U.I.P., Bentota A.P., Ratnasekara D. and Senanayake SGJN 2012. F1 heterosis and genetic effects for agronomic characteristics related to yield in two indica rice crosses. Proceedings of Sri Lanka- India conference on Agro Biotechnology for Sustainable Development (ABSD), Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Wijewickrama,TUP, Ratnasekera.D, Senanayake SGJN, Samarasinghe, G, and Madurangi, SAP 2012. Morphological screening of Oryza eichingeri derived rice lines against Brown plant hopper Nilaparvata lugens(stal) resistance, Proceedings of the 9th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna

Rupasingha KMASK, Ratnasekera.D, Abeysiriwardana.S and Senanayake SGJN 2012. Inheritance of stem colour and photoperiod sensitivity in winged bean, Proceedings of the 9th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna.

Madurangi, SAP, Disna Ratnasekera, Senanayake, SGJN, Samarasinghe WLG, Hemachandra PV and Rajapakse RHS 2012.Wild rice (Oryza nivara) as a potential source for brown plant hopper resistance. Proceedings of Sri Lanka- India conference on Agro Biotechnology for Sustainable Development (ABSD), Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Madurangi, SAP, Ratnasekera, D, UIP Perera and SGJN Senanayake 2011. Resistance of weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) to Brown planthopper: Nilaparvata lugens (stal) in Sri Lanka. International Symposium (ISAE 2011), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. pp 127.

Rohan Rajapakse and Disna Ratnasekera2011. Current Status and Future Prospects of Biotechnology in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the International Conference on “Biotechnology for Better Tomorrow”, Dr. BAM University, Aurangabad, India.

Disna Ratnasekera and Rohan Rajapakse 2011. Pesticidal Activity of Indigenous plant materials against Callosobruchus chinensis L. and Callosobruchus maculatus L. (Coleoptera, Bruchidae) in stored legumes in Sri Lanka. BIOCICON (3rd Biopesticide international conference, kerala, India), A0160.

Disna Ratnasekera, SGJN Senanayake and GAW wijesekara 2010. Weedy Rice: A threat to wild rice conservation in Sri Lanka? Conservation and Utilization of Crop wild Relatives of Sri Lanka, Book of Abstracts, Joint publication of Department Agriculture and Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Sri Lanka. 37-38

Madurangi, S A P., Ratnasekera, D., Hemachandra, P V., Senanayake, S G J N. 2010.Morphological characterization of Oryza nivara (wild rice) accessions collected from Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 1stInternational Symposium, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. pp 23.

W.A.C. Ruwan, Disna Ratnasekera, L. Hettiarachchi and S.D.P. Srimalee 2009. Suitable dormancy breaking method for selected rice varieties. Proceedings of the 2nd National Symposium, University of Ruhuna

S.D.P. Srimalee, Disna Ratnasekera, A.P. Bentota, S.G.J.N. Senanayake 2009. Callus induction ability of selected genotypes in indica rice through anther culture. Proceedings of the 6th Academic Sessions of the University of Ruhuna.

SAP Madurangi, G Samarasinghe, SGJN Senanayake, PV Hemachandra and Disna Ratnasekera, 2008. Investigation of Brown Plant Hopper resistance in Oryza nivara and Oryza eichinigeri derived lines. Proceedings of the 1st National Symposium, University of Ruhuna.

BOOKS, BOOK CHAPTERS EDITED AND WRITTEN

RHSRajapakse,DisnaRatnasekera,andSAbeysinghe2016.Chapter13:Bio-pesticidesResearch:CurrentStatusandFutureTrendsinSriLanka219-234inAgriculturally ImportantMicroorganisms,SpringerPublication,ISBN978-981-10-2575-4ISBN978-981- 10-2576-1(eBook)DOI10.1007/978-981-10-2576-1

R.H.S.Rajapakse,DisnaRatnasekera,AmaniMannakkaraandD.M.Gamage2014.PestandDiseasesofCinnamon(Sinhala)

R.H.S.Rajapakse,DisnaRatnasekera,AmaniMannakkaraandD.M.Gamage2014.PestandDiseasesofRambutan(Sinhala)

R.H.S. Rajapakse and Disna Ratnasekera 2001.Seminar on Pest Control in the Next Millennium. ISBN: 955- 8566-00-4.

R.H.S. Rajapakse, Disna Ratnasekera and Saman Abeysinghe 2002. Control of pests and diseases in Low Country Vegitables (Sinhala). ISBN: 955-8187-02-X.

R.H.S. Rajapakse and Disna Ratnasekera 2002. Cashew Cultivation (Sinhala). ISBN: 955-97975-0-6.

R.H.S. Rajapakse and Disna Ratnasekera 2002. Pest control for eco-friendly Agriculture (Sinhala) (Book chapter) ISBN: 955-8869-00-7.

New Paper Articles

Identification of wild rice in Sri Lanka “ශ්‍රීලංකාවේවනවීදර්ශහදුනාගනිමු”(Vidusara, Wednesday 10thOctober 2018).

Impact of weedy rice on rice “ගොයමටවිනකරනවල්වී” (Vidusara, Wednesday 22nd August 2018).