Abiotic stresses are one of the key limitations to global crop production and food security. Among the abiotic stresses, drought is one of the most vital factors that causes change in morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics in plants, and consequently affects the growth and productivity of crops. The main purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of drought on morphological [Plant height, root length (cm), shoot length (cm), number of branches, yield attributing traits], physiological ratio of root/shoot length, leaf area (cm 2 ), relative water content (%), and electrolyte leakage (% conductivity) and biochemical traits [ascorbic acid content (mg/100g), total carotenoids (mg/100g), total chlorophyll content, proline, sugar content] in 15 tomato genotypes and to identify drought stress tolerant genotypes. The results confirmed that there are significant variations in agronomic, physiological and biochemical parameters among 15 tomato genotypes under drought and irrigated conditions. Among the 15 genotypes, EC-317-6-1 and WIR-4360 were found highly tolerant to drought in comparison to others while Kashi Amrit and Kashi Sharad were found susceptible to drought conditions. The performance of tomato genotypes used in the study showed significant differences in all studied traits, suggesting that they could be taken into account when selecting for drought tolerance. EC-317-6-171 and WIR-4360 had good yield performance under deficit irrigation treatment. Moreover, results indicate that biochemical and physiological parameters are more useful for the screening of drought tolerant tomato genotypes.

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Turmeric is mainly grown as monocrop or intercrop in wet and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka. However, promoting the dry zone turmeric cultivation under intensive irrigation and proper shade conditions could address the increased demand for locally produced Turmeric and create an extra potential for exportation. Therefore, it is essential and urgent need to find out the feasibility of growing Turmeric in dry and semi-arid areas. Thus, this study focus evaluate the effect of different plant spacing, growing media, and shade on growth and yield performances of Turmeric in Hambantota district,belong to semi-arid zones. The split-plot design was used. The main plot consisted of two shade levels (30% shade and without shade), and subplots were assigned three spacing (30 x 20 cm, 30 x 30 cm, 30 x 40 cm) and two different potting media (Cow dung: Topsoil -1:1, Cow dung: Topsoil: Sand -1: 1: 0.5 replicated by three times. Results revealed no significant interaction of shade, planting spacing and planting media on plant height, leaf length and yield. However, the interaction effects were found between shade and planting media on plant height and shade and planting spacing on rhizome yield. The significant improvement of yield and plant height in plants established in cow dung: topsoil; 1:1 media under shade and plant grown in 30 x 30 cm plant spacing. The significantly highest leaf length was recorded from the plant established under 30% shade compared to without shade and the highest number of sprouts was recorded from the plants in cow dung: topsoil; 1:1 media. The significantly highest yield were recorded from the plants established in both 30 x 30 cm and 30 x 40 cm spacing under shade. Thus, the results could be concluded that plants are grown in cow dung: topsoil: 1:1 media with 30 x 40 cm spacing under 30% shade condition are suitable for turmeric cultivation under dry/semi-arid areas of Sri Lanka.

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