Chathura Perera: I'm enthusiastic to gain knowledge and hands-on experience

After finishing his postgraduate degree, Peliyagodage Chathura Dineth Perera was looking for a PhD program in weed science. He was searching for a suitable PhD topic, when he found an article written by Professor Magdalena Szymura from the Institute of Agroecology and Plant Production at Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, and became interested in the doctoral school’s offer.

– I found the article very interesting, so I first wrote to Joanna Walczak-Łakomy, the secretary of the Institute of Agroecology and Plant Production at Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, requesting an opportunity for a PhD. I then received a quick response from Prof. Magdalena Szymura, who informed me that the UPWr Doctoral School was open to internationals. During that time, I also got a couple of PhD opportunities from two countries in Asia. However, I chose the PhD program at UPWr Doctoral School as it had been my dream to study in Europe – says Perera, a second year student of the doctoral school, whose doctoral thesis is carried out as part of the POWER 3.5 and NAWA projects.

His main supervisor is Prof. Magdalena Szymura, who Perera had first met in November of 2019, when he first came to Wrocław. – I’m usually quite anxious about approaching professors, but she made things very simple for me. She created a positive learning environment and I’m really enjoying my PhD education at UPWr Doctoral School. She is passionate about finding research opportunities and collaborations for me, and she gives me honest feedback to help me improve – says Chathura about his main supervisor, pointing out that his second supervisor was also introduced to him by Prof. Magdalena Szymura: – He is Prof. Vilém Pavlů from the Department of Ecology at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague. Soon, I’m going to join his laboratory at his university for an internship. I would like to join the research group that studies sustainable management of grasslands to support biodiversity. As part of my internship, I am also planning to visit Prof. Franck E Dayan, who was introduced to me by Prof. Józef Sowiński, at the Weed Research Laboratory at Colorado State University in the USA – Chathura explains.

Perera became interested in weed science at a young age, as he says he’s always been extremely passionate about alien invasive plants, plant tissue culture, agricultural biotechnology, and biodiversity conservation. – During my undergraduate studies, I was eager to explore plant adaptation and mutations. That is why I selected the Department of Agricultural Biology at the University of Ruhuna in Sri Lanka, where I studied, to continue my final year research project on “Response of some selected rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars to drought and salinity stresses and induced polyploidy rice by colchicine” and got a Bachelor of Science (BSc) of Agriculture Special Degree. After my graduation, I had an opportunity to directly join a research project on “Conservation of Exacum ritigalensis (Binara) through in vitro and in vivo techniques” and obtained a degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in the discipline of Agricultural Biology at the same department while working as a probationary lecturer.

Biological invasions are a worldwide phenomenon which alter biodiversity, landscape structures, ecosystem services, local economy, as well as human health and wellbeing.  Increased understanding of the invasion process enables biodiversity to be more effectively protected on different levels, as well as enables insight into the interactions between organisms.

– I'm enthusiastic to gain knowledge and hands-on experience on how the same plant can change morphologically and genetically in different geographical and ecological areas, as well as different climate conditions, and how it acts as an invasive plant. For example, the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is used as an ornamental plant in many countries. However, the water hyacinth is considered an aquatic weed in Sri Lanka, as it causes degradation of drinking water sources, and negatively impacts the biodiversity of inland water sources. Similarly, many mangrove ecosystems are being invaded by alien plant species and have become vulnerable to climate change and anthropogenic activities – explains Perera. 

His PhD research mainly deals with goldenrods (Solidago spp.) of American origin, such as the giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea Aiton) and canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.), which are some of the most common invasive plants in Europe. Considering the impact of biological invasions on the environment, the European Union Member States are obligated to prevent, control or eradicate the invasive alien species according to EU law regulations.

– Currently, I’m working on a research project on the “Effectiveness of the methods used in meadow restoration on a site which was invaded by alien Solidago species”. The main aim of this research is to determine the best environmentally friendly methods of eradicating the invasive goldenrod species to reclaim land and establish seminatural meadows. In my research, I’m using different cutting regimes and methods of seed application that have different effects for grassland/meadow restoration after a goldenrod invasion – says Perera, adding that as part of his PhD, he is also studying the allelopathic chemicals of the Solidago species that affect seed germination of meadow plant species. The research will have practical use in the form of his findings on suitable compositions of plant species which are able to compete with invasive Solidago species in a particular management regime.

 – I want to study how the invasive goldenrod responds to climate changes, such as summer droughts and increasing salinity. The evaluation of the Solidago species’ resistance to drought and salinity will be used to model the potential range of this particular species in Europe and to indicate the most endangered regions susceptible to invasion – explains Perera.

The results of which will define the drivers of the goldenrod invasion in Central Europe. The findings can be used by local authorities and land managers in the future for modelling or predicting the hazards of invasion, developing landscape-level systems of goldenrod control and prioritizing sites for special conservation status. 

The second-year doctoral student also received a grant from the “Innovative Doctorate” competition in 2021 for a project titled “Rhizosphere changes during the process of reclamation of sites invaded by Solidago”. – For this project, I want to study the changes in the aboveground ratio of Solidago to meadow plants reflecting the changes in the rhizosphere, during the progress of the land reclamation process, and changes in plant root density and quality which influence the soil mesofauna and microbiota. – Perera explains. 

Chathura Perera is also collaborating on some other projects conducted at the Institute of Agroecology and Plant Production, such as modeling grassland productivity to analyze the possibility of using seeds collected from grasslands to establish city greenery, under the supervision of Prof. Magdalena Szymura. He has also contributed to the research on “Evaluation of the allelopathic potential of willow biomass during the composting process (Salix viminalis L.)” under the supervision of Prof. Józef Sowiński and Dr. Anna Jama-Rodzeńska.

After finishing his studies, he would like to join the University of Ruhuna in Sri Lanka and continue his research related to alien invasive species and integrated weed management, as well as work towards increasing sustainability and protection of biodiversity in tropical climates.

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UPWr 2.0: International and interdisciplinary development programme at Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences.