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Plant Pathology, Crop Protection
Plant pathology, Crop protection, Biological control of phytopathogens
Current position:
Lecturer (Probationary)
Previous appointments:
Temporary demonstrator, Department of Botany, University of Ruhuna (2013)
Graduate research assistant, National Research Council, Sri Lanka (2013- 2017)
Temporary demonstrator, Department of Botany, The Open University of Sri Lanka (2017-2018)
B.Sc. Degree programme-
BYU 3500-Diversity of Plants
Diploma programme –
Laboratory Techniques in Microbiology
Ongoing research:
Faculty research grant 2021
Preliminary study on the potential of biological control of tomato anthracnose causal agent C. truncatum using native bioagents
- Sandani, H.B.P., Ranathunge, N.P., Lakshman, P.L.N. and Weerakoon, W.M.W. (2019). Biocontrol potential of five Burkholderia and Pseudomonas strains against Colletotrichum truncatum infecting chilli pepper. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 29(8); 727-745.
- Sandani, H.B.P. and Weerahewa, H.L.D. (2018). Wilt diseases of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) and chilli (Capsicum annuum) and their management strategies: emphasis on the strategies employed in Sri Lanka: a review. Sri Lankan Journal of Biology. 3(2): 24-43.
- Ranathunge, N.P. and Sandani, H.B.P. (2016). Deceptive behaviour of Colletotrichum truncatum strategic survival as an asymptomatic endophyte on non-host species. Journal of Plant Protection Research. 56 (2), 157-162.
- Sandani, H.B.P., Ranasinghe, C., Kumari, W.G.S.M., Dissanayake, N.P., Ekanayake, R.T., Gunasekara, D.M.K.W. and Priyadarshani, S. (2013). Prevalence of diseases on Carica papaya L. in Western and Southern provinces. Proceedings of the ISAE 2013, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. ISBN: 978-955-1507-25-1.452-455.
- Jayasinghe, S.K., Jayasinghe, J.A.U.I., Nusra, A.A.F., Sandani, H.B.P., Abeysinghe, P.D. and Pathirana, R.N. (2014). Phytochemical screening and bacteriological assay of tea samples from upcountry and low country Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the RISTCON 2014, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. 25.
- Sandani, H.B.P., Ranathunge, N.P., Lakshman, P.L.N. and Weerakoon, W.M.W. (2014). Isolation and screening of potential antagonists from standard compost against Colletotrichum truncatum causing anthracnose disease in chilli (Capsicum annuum). Proceedings of the ISAE 2014, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. ISBN: 978-955-1507-25-1. 39-43.
- Sandani, H.B.P., Ranathunge, N.P. and Lakshman, P.L.N. (2014). Evaluation of the antagonistic nature of extracellular compounds secreted by some selected bacterial antagonists against, Colletotrichum truncatum, the causal agent of anthracnose disease in chilli. Proceedings of 4th Young Scientists Forum symposium 2014, National Science and Technology Commission, Sri Lanka. ISBN: 978-955-8630-07-5. 171-174.
- Yogarajah, K., Ranathunge, N.P. and Sandani, H.B.P. (2014). Screening of bacterial antagonists present in spent mushroom substrate (SMS) for the control of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, causal agent of papaya anthracnose. Proceedings of the ISAE 2014, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. ISBN: 978-955-1507-25-1. 63-66.
- Sandani, H.B.P., Ranathunge, N.P., Lakshman, P.L.N. and Weerakoon, W.M.W. (2015). Isolation and screening of potential bacterial antagonists from forest floor soils against Colletotrichum truncatum causing anthracnose disease in chilli (Capsicum annuum). Proceedings of the RISTCON 2015, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. 83.
- Sandani, H.B.P., Ranathunge, N.P., Lakshman, P.L.N. and Weerakoon, W.M.W. (2016). Evaluation of the biocontrol activity of eight bacterial antagonists in managing seed borne infection of Colletotrichum truncatum in chili. Proceedings of the 13th Academic sessions, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. ISSN 2362-0412.
- Abeywickrama, G.D.P.D., Ranathunge, N.P., Kumara, K.L.W., Sandani, H.B.P. (2016). Cross infection potential of Colletotrichum species causing anthracnose in Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum species. Proceedings of the ISAE 2016- Students’ session, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.
- Atapattu, A.G.K.M.W.S., Ranathunge, N.P., Weerasooriya, M.K.B., Sandani, H.B.P. (2016). Evaluation of volatile antifungal properties of some selected plant species on post-harvest disease control in Banana. Proceedings of the ISAE 2016- Students’ session, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.
- Sandani, H.B.P., Ranathunge, N.P., Lakshman, P.L.N. and Weerakoon, W.M.W. (2016). Efficacy of five selected bacterial antagonists in suppressing foliar colonization of Colletotrichum truncatum on Capsicum annuum. Proceedings of the ISAE 2016, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.ISBN: 978-955-1507-25-1.40-43.
- Madushanka, B.G.R., Ranathunge, N.P., Kumarasinghe, H.K.M.S., Sandani H.B.P. (2016). Screening and evaluation of the potential use of Fusarium spp. for effective stimulation of resin production in Gyrinops Walla. Proceedings of the ISAE 2016, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. ISBN: 978-955-1507-25-1. 49-53.
- Dilhani, M.I., Sandani, H.B.P. and Ranathunge, N.P. (2016). Evaluation of two bacterial antagonists in controlling tomat damping off pathogen, Rhizoctonia solani under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Proceedings of the ISAE 2016, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. ISBN: 978-955-1507-25-1. 73-76.
- Roshini, U.H.R.R., Ranathunge, N.P. and Sandani, H.B.P. (2017). Evaluation of alternative culture media for Burkholderia multivorans: strain F2; an antagonist of chilli anthracnose pathogen, Colletotrichum truncatum. PROCEEDINGS of the 1st International Symposium on Agriculture-2017 EUSL. 130-134.
- Sandani, H.B.P., Ranathunge, N.P., Lakshman, P.L.N. and Weerakoon, W.M.W. (2017). Efficacy of selected bacterial antagonists (Burkholderia sp.) in managing Colletotrichum truncatum infection of chilli fruits. Proceedings of the ISAE 2017, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. ISBN: 1800-4830. 252-255.
- Sandani, H.B.P., Ranathunge, N.P., Degrassi, G., Lakshman, P.L.N. and Weerakoon, W.M.W. (2018). Host defense induction and growth promotion by antagonists of chilli anthracnose pathogen Colletotrichum truncatum. Proceedings of the 15th Academic sessions, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. ISSN 2362-0412. 33-34.
- Sandani, H.B.P., Ranathunge, N.P., Ranasinghe, P., Lakshman, P.L.N. and Weerakoon, W.M.W. (2018). Properties of extracellular antifungal metabolites secreted by four antagonistic Burkholderia strains for biocontrol activities on Colletotrichum truncatum. Proceedings of the 15th Academic sessions, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. ISSN 2362-0412. 35-36.
– Resource person of the Toxins free farming national exhibition held in 2016 at BMICH
– Designed and distributed two leaflets on plant disease biological control at Toxins free farming exhibition
Scholarships
– PhD scholarship from NRC, Sri Lanka
– Overseas Special Training Program scholarship, NSF, Sri Lanka
– Conference traveling scholarship, NSF, Sri Lanka
Memberships:
– Young scientists forum, Sri Lanka
Fellowships:
– Research fellowship at ICGEB laboratory, Buenos Aires, Argentina
