Homegarden ecosystems are considered to be resilient to climatic changes partly due to the use of efficient and effective adaptation strategies by the homegardeners. This study documented the strategies adopted by homegardeners in Sri Lanka and investigated the determinants of the choice of such strategies. Data gathered from household surveys conducted in three selected locations were analysed to achieve the study objectives. About 52% of the homegardeners in all locations were found to be small-scale farmers (<0.5 ha) engaged in semi-subsistence farming over a long period of time. The majority (85%) of them have had their education only up to the primary level. Among the homegardeners, more than 63% in Keeriyagaswewa, 54% in Pethiyagoda and 90% in Siwalakulama have not made any significant changes to the plant, tree and animal composition of homegardens over the past 20 years. A number of adaptation strategies have been used by the homegardeners enabling them to maintain the diversity in the homegarden ecosystem. The changes in planting dates (37%), agronomic practices (39%), use of soil and water conservation measures (41%) and technology (55%) such as use of new varieties and irrigation equipments were the most commonly used adaptation strategies. A considerable variation in the type of adaptation strategies across the households was noted. The results of the probit analysis indicated that the type of employment, age, sex, education level of household head, experience in farming, homegarden size, diversity of homegardens measured by the Shannon Weiner Index (SWI), and perceptions towards climate change significantly influence the decision to adopt a given strategy. The development programs to promote adaptation to climate changes in homegardens should hence be designed taking the above determinants into consideration.
Tag: annona muricata
Morphological characterization of Soursop (Annona muricata L.) germplasm in Sri Lanka
Annona muricata L. is an underutilized fruit tree species in Sri Lanka, which is mostly confined to homegardens. Despite the importance of A. muricata, collection, characterization and improvement of its germplasm is limited in Sri Lanka, hence hindered its effective conservation and utilization. Therefore, the objective of this research was to identify morphological variation of A. muricata populations in Sri Lanka. Multistage Sampling Survey was conducted in homegardens of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Hambantota dictricts in the Dry zone, Puttalama and Kurunagala districts in the AIntermediate zone, and Kalutara and Gampaha districts in the Wet zone. Random representative samples were also collected from existing germplasm collections at three national research centers. Morphological variation of A. muricata were observed on total of 315 samples collected from seven districts of three climatic zones and 133 samples collected from germplasm collections at three national research centers. Forty five morphological characters were recorded from 448 accesions and subjected to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Factor Analysis (FA), followed by Cluster Analysis. A dendrogram of evaluated characters showed nine distinguished clusters. Implications of findings are discussed in relation to utilization and conservation.