Prof. Nalika Priyanwada Ranathunge

Professor

Department of Agricultural Biology,
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna,
Mapalana, Kamburupitiya,
Sri Lanka (81100).

Research Interests

Qualifications

PhD in Plant Pathology | Japan (University not specified)
MSc in Biotechnology | University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
BSc in Agriculture | University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

Biography

Prof. Nalika Priyanwada Ranathunge is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna. Her research specialises in plant pathology and microbiology, with a particular focus on the biological control of fungal plant diseases. She has extensively studied anthracnose-causing Colletotrichum species affecting economically important crops including chilli, banana, and papaya, and has investigated the efficacy of bacterial antagonists—principally Burkholderia and Pseudomonas strains isolated from spent mushroom substrate and standard compost—as biocontrol agents. Her more recent work includes seed biopriming strategies for enhancing plant disease tolerance and managing phytopathogens.

Journal Publications

Total: 9

Sandani, H. B. P., Ranathunge, N. P., Lakshman, P. L. N., Jayasinghe, J. A. A. C., & Jayasekara, J. M. P. K. (2019). Biocontrol potential of five Burkholderia and Pseudomonas strains against Colletotrichum truncatum infecting chilli pepper. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 29(7), 670–686.

De Silva, D. D., Crous, P. W., Ades, P. K., Hyde, K. D., & Taylor, P. W. J. (2019). Identification, prevalence and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum species causing anthracnose of Capsicum annuum in Asia. IMA Fungus, 10(1), 8.

Sandani, H. B. P., Ranathunge, N. P., Lakshman, P. L. N., & Jayasinghe, J. A. A. C. (2017). Efficacy of selected bacterial antagonists (Burkholderia sp.) in managing Colletotrichum truncatum infection of chilli fruits. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience.

Ranathunge, N. P., & 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), 122–127.

Ranathunge, N. P., Rajapaksha, R. J. K., Sandani, H. B. P., & Lakshman, P. L. N. (2016). Isolation, screening and in vitro evaluation of bacterial antagonists from spent mushroom substrate against Colletotrichum musae. Tropical Agricultural Research and Extension, 18(2).

Yogarajah, K., Ranathunge, N. P., Sandani, H. B. P., & Weerasooriya, M. K. B. (2014). In vitro evaluation of antifungal potential of some plant extracts against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing papaya anthracnose disease. Plant Science and Technology.

Yogarajah, K., Ranathunge, N. P., & 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.

Nandani, M. G. T., Yogarajah, K., & Ranathunge, N. P. (2014). Evaluation of the fungicidal potential of some selected herbal extracts on Colletotrichum musae under in vitro conditions.

Sandani, H. B. P., Ranathunge, N. P., & Lakshman, P. L. N. (2014). Isolation and screening of potential antagonists from standard compost against Colletotrichum truncatum, causing anthracnose disease in chilli (Capsicum annuum).

Books / Book Chapters

Total: 1

Ranathunge, N. P. (2022). Biopriming of seeds for plant disease tolerance and phytopathogen management. In: Murthy, N., Jogaiah, S. (eds) Microbial Biocontrol: Sustainable Agriculture and Phytobiome, Vol. 1. Springer, Cham.

View DOI

Conference Publications

Total: 1

Sandani, H.B.P., Ranathunge, N.P.,, Lakshman, P.L.N. Efficacy of five selected bacterial antagonists in suppressing foliar colonisation of Colletotrichum. [National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka]