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<p>This study was conducted in the <i>Bibile</i> region of <i>Monaragala</i> District, Sri Lanka to assess the domestication potential of <i>Diospyros melanoxylon</i> Roxb., a wild species valued for its leaves in the traditional cigarette (<i>beedi</i> or hand-rolled cigarette) industry. Native to Sri Lanka and India, <i>D. melanoxylon</i> is confined to savanna ecosystems and remains underutilized despite its economic relevance. An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to document traditional knowledge and map the existing value chain. The findings revealed well-established, yet largely informal, systems of use and trade. To support future commercialization, ecological niche modeling was performed to predict the species’ potential distribution using occurrence data and environmental variables. The model identified the most suitable habitats predominantly within the <i>Uva</i> Province, covering approximately 3800 km<sup>2</sup>, which accounts for about 5% of the total land area of Sri Lanka. In parallel, vegetative propagation trials were conducted using stem cuttings and air layering techniques. The treatments involved varying concentrations of Indole-3-butyric acid and different dipping durations, which successfully induced callus formation in 33% of stem cuttings, demonstrating the feasibility of clonal propagation. Physical parameters of the leaves were measured and compared between Indian and Sri Lankan samples. Indian leaves showed superior qualities, with significantly higher mean (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05) and median values across most parameters (leaf area (106 cm<sup>2</sup>), leaf length (0.27&#xa0;mm), leaf width (8.9), leaf weight (1.2), except for leaf thickness (0.27&#xa0;mm) and burning time (254.6&#xa0;s), which did not follow a normal distribution. Overall, the results provide essential baseline data for the domestication and commercial-scale cultivation of <i>D. melanoxylon</i> in Sri Lanka. The study further highlights the species’ propagation potential and economic value, supporting its integration into sustainable livelihood development initiatives.</p>

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Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb. as a future-ready crop: a case study in Sri Lanka

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月30日

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  • Nimesha Weheragoda,
  • Ranil Rajapaksha,
  • Kumudu Kopiyawattage,
  • Suranjan Fernando,
  • Gamini Pushpakumara,
  • Sameera Aberathna,
  • Thakshila Dissanayake,
  • Lalith Suriyagoda,
  • Janaki Eeswara

摘要

This study was conducted in the Bibile region of Monaragala District, Sri Lanka to assess the domestication potential of Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb., a wild species valued for its leaves in the traditional cigarette (beedi or hand-rolled cigarette) industry. Native to Sri Lanka and India, D. melanoxylon is confined to savanna ecosystems and remains underutilized despite its economic relevance. An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to document traditional knowledge and map the existing value chain. The findings revealed well-established, yet largely informal, systems of use and trade. To support future commercialization, ecological niche modeling was performed to predict the species’ potential distribution using occurrence data and environmental variables. The model identified the most suitable habitats predominantly within the Uva Province, covering approximately 3800 km2, which accounts for about 5% of the total land area of Sri Lanka. In parallel, vegetative propagation trials were conducted using stem cuttings and air layering techniques. The treatments involved varying concentrations of Indole-3-butyric acid and different dipping durations, which successfully induced callus formation in 33% of stem cuttings, demonstrating the feasibility of clonal propagation. Physical parameters of the leaves were measured and compared between Indian and Sri Lankan samples. Indian leaves showed superior qualities, with significantly higher mean (p > 0.05) and median values across most parameters (leaf area (106 cm2), leaf length (0.27 mm), leaf width (8.9), leaf weight (1.2), except for leaf thickness (0.27 mm) and burning time (254.6 s), which did not follow a normal distribution. Overall, the results provide essential baseline data for the domestication and commercial-scale cultivation of D. melanoxylon in Sri Lanka. The study further highlights the species’ propagation potential and economic value, supporting its integration into sustainable livelihood development initiatives.