Introduction
Sri Lanka has a prestigious history of hydraulic-based civilization
running back to 5th century BC. Rice cultivation began
around 900 BC and has developed in an organized way since 300 BC (Cook,
1950; Vandermeersch and Deraniyagala, 1988; Senanayake, 2006). Until the
Green Revolution in the mid-1960s introduced modern farming techniques,
inorganic fertilizers and other agro-chemicals (Farmer, 1986; Wilson,
2000), the cultivation of paddy in Sri Lanka was entirely based on
indigenous techniques. These were developed based on the extensive
experience and knowledge of the local community and tested over two
thousand years of implementation (Vandermeersch and Deraniyagala, 1988).
The indigenous knowledge of local farmers about rice farming techniques
includes land preparation and soil fertility management, seed selection
and pre-planting, water management, method of rice planting, weed
control and pest and disease control techniques (Senanayake, 2006). The
indigenous knowledge system of local farmers is a broad area to discuss.
Mee tree (Madhuca longifolia ) considered as the fertiliser tree
of the nation in ancient Sri Lankan aera. According to the ancient
literature available in Sri Lanka there were rules imposed of
prohibiting of cutting Madhuca longifolia tree by of King Mihindu
IV. The nectar in the flowers and the fruits of the Madhuca
longifolia attracts the fruit bats. Bat guano is a very rich
fertilizer, due to its high content of carbon and the three vital
primary macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K) as
well as important secondary minerals such as calcium and magnesium that
help control soil pH(Buliga, 2010; Shetty, Sreepada, and Bhat, 2013).
When bats visit the Madhuca longifolia trees during flowing and
fruit seasons it automatically provide guano in return to the ground.
The ancient Sri Lankans used these natural combinations to provide
fertiliser to their paddy fields. This article focuses on how ancient
Sri Lankan farmers used the Mee tree (Madhuca longifolia ) and its
products in paddy cultivation.