Contact Details

Intercropping and Betel Research Station (IBRS)
Department of Export Agriculture,
Dampalassa, Narammala, Sri Lanka.

TP No: 037-2248879
Fax No: 037-2249377
Email: ibrs@yahoo.com

Overview

The Intercropping and Betel Research Station (IBRS) was established in 1993 at Narammala as a pioneer research station dedicated to intercropping Export Agriculture Crops (EACs) under coconut cultivation. The primary mission of the station is to plan and implement research and development programs to promote betel cultivation and to assess the feasibility of intercropping export agricultural crops under coconut plantations.

The research station covers a total land extent of 64 acres, including office complexes, research fields, and farm areas. In addition to research and development activities, IBRS provides extension services such as training programs and dissemination of export agriculture–related information, contributing to the sustainable development of the EAC sector in Sri Lanka.

Divisions

Ongoing Research

Breeding Division

1. Evaluation of ginger (Zingiber officinale) germplasm under coconut.
2. Collection, establishment, and evaluation of turmeric (Curcuma domestica L.) germplasm under coconut.
3. Collection, establishment, evaluation, and conservation of betel (Piper betle) germplasm in Sri Lanka.
4. Hybridization of selected black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) cultivars for the low-country intermediate zone.
5. Evaluation of selected coffee cultivars (Coffea sp.) under coconut in the low-country intermediate zone.
6. Evaluation of selected cocoa (Theobroma cacao) lines for intercropping with coconut.

Agronomy Division

1. Studies on soil moisture conservation and agronomic practices to improve black pepper productivity as climate change adaptation strategies.
2. Determination of optimum shade levels for producing export-quality betel leaves (Piper betle L.).
3. Effects of irrigation and fertilizer application on flower initiation and year-round yield of bush pepper.
4. Impact of shelter belts on microclimate, growth, yield, and leaf quality of betel.
5. Productivity improvement of cocoa under coconut cultivation in Kurunegala District.

Soil, Post-Harvest Technology and Plant Protection Division

1. Assessment of coconut trees as live support systems for pepper (Piper nigrum).
2. Development of value-added products using waste betel leaves (NARP).
3. Characterization of soil fertility status in betel cultivation areas.
4. Fertilizer studies in betel (Piper betle L.) cultivation.
5. GIS-based investigation of Betel Leaf Blight (BLB) prevalence in Kurunegala District.
6. Identification of BLB causative organisms and development of an in-house PCR detection method.
7. Effects of pruning levels on canopy development and yield of pepper.
8. Evaluation of indigenous techniques for controlling bacterial leaf blight in betel.
9. Identification and management of pests affecting export-quality betel leaves.
10. Evaluation of departmental fertilizer mixtures for single-support betel systems.
11. Evaluation of ginger (Zingiber officinale) accessions for drought tolerance.
12. Comparison of nursery media using coconut husk and coir dust for betel cutting production.