ABSTRACT
Rhododendron arboreum subsp. zeylanicum is an endemic woody plant found in Sri Lanka. Although it is a vulnerable plant and has ornamental value. Rhododendron species naturally grow from seeds and regeneration rate is low. The vegetative propagation of most woody rhododendrons is slow. The investigation of seed germination is important for the conservation of this species. The first experiment was carried out to study the effect of growing media (Unsterilized native soil, native soil: coir dust (1:1), native soil: leaf mould (1:1), coir dust: sand (1:1), native soil: sand (1:1), and clay soil) and to compare the impact on two geographical locations (Peradeniya and Hakgala) for in vivo seed germination. The second experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different culture media (Anderson (ADW), autoclaved distilled water + agar, ½ strength Murashige and Skoog (MS), and full-strength MS) with two different sterilization methods (15% Clorox with few drops of Teepol for 15 minutes and 20% Clorox with few drops of Teepol for 10 minutes) on in vitro seed germination. The germination percentage was significantly affected by the location and growing media. The highest germination percentage was recorded in coir dust: sand medium (1:1). Hakgala is better than Peradeniya for in vivo seed germination. In the in vitro seed germination, the lowest germination and the highest contamination percentages were recorded in the full-strength MS medium. The highest root length was recorded in the seeds treated with ADW + agar. And the highest plant height was recorded in the seeds treated in ADW + agar with 20% Clorox and few drops of Teepol for 10 minutes

ABSTRACT
This study analyzed the factors influencing female empowerment and its benefits in community development in Imo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristic of the respondents, examine the constraints to female empowerment, and ascertain the ways of female empowerment and factors influencing female empowerment. Multi stage random sampling technique was used in selecting 120 respondents for the study. Data for the study obtained were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The study also revealed that an average of 51.3% of the respondents strongly agreed on the perceived effects of female empowerment on community development while 25.50% of them agreed on the perceived benefits as 12.1% strongly disagreed while 11.1% disagreed on the perceived effects of female empowerment in community development. Results of multiple regression revealed that female empowerment at 1% level of probability indicate that age at 5%, income at 10%, education at 5% level of probability were the determinants of female empowerment in the study area. Result showed that the major constraints to female empowerment were: poor assess to productive resources (x ̅=2.8), lack of quality education (x ̅=2.77) and poor political representation (x ̅=2.74) while the major ways of female empowerment were providing training (3.25), providing opportunities (3.02), mentoring (2.83) and decision making positions. The study concluded that female empowerment improves health care and well-being of families and communities. The study therefore recommends that communities should be mobilized to support victims of gender based violence provide platforms for female girls and women’s voice to be heard