自然恢复序列梯度上退耕地土壤容重变化及其蓄水性能效应

为了探索黄土丘陵区退耕地植被自然恢复对土壤水分环境的影响,以延安市安塞区5个植被自然恢复阶段(10,20,30,40,50年)退耕地为研究对象,采用空间代替时间法研究不同演替阶段土壤理性特征的变化、土壤蓄水性能及其影响。结果表明:陕北黄土丘陵区弃耕地在植被自然恢复过程中,同一演替阶段不同土层,其表层(0—20cm)土壤容重均小于下层(20—40cm)土壤容重。不同演替阶段表层土壤容重总体表现为先减少后增加的趋势,其土壤容重在30年的植被自然恢复期降到最低值,说明植被恢复导致表层土壤容重变小,表层土壤总毛管孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度均呈现先增大后减小的趋势,且在30年自然恢复期达到峰值,而土壤毛管孔隙度变化趋势为先减小后增大再减小再增大。不同演替阶段表层土壤饱和蓄水量、滞留蓄水量均表现为先增大后减小的趋势,且在30年自然恢复期其蓄水量达到峰值。土壤物理特征的变化趋势为土壤容重大,土壤粗砂粒含量增加,毛管孔隙度增大,非毛管孔隙度减小,土壤蓄水量降低;土壤容重减小,土壤细砂粒、粉黏粒含量增加,毛管孔隙度减小,非毛管孔隙度增大,土壤蓄水量增大。     

湘中红壤丘陵区不同土地利用类型对土壤特性的影响

以湖南省衡阳县武水流域为例,对湘中红壤丘陵区5种土地利用类型的土壤物理性质和抗蚀性能进行了研究,结果表明,土地利用类型对土壤物理性质有显著影响,花岗岩红壤的结构随植被演退和人为耕作的干扰而退化。与林地相比,旱地和坡耕地等耕作土壤砂粒含量增加,黏粒含量相对减少,表土呈现砂化;与林地和疏林地相比,耕作土壤的大粒径水稳性团聚体减少,水稳性团聚体平均重量直径减小,结构稳定性下降;不同土地利用类型按土壤毛管孔隙度和持水性能大小排序为林地>疏林地>荒地>旱地>坡耕地。研究结果说明良好的植被条件与合理的土地利用能通过降低土壤容重、增加有机质以及细颗粒含量来改善土壤的团聚能力,并增加土壤蓄水量,从而提高土壤的抗蚀能力。     

红壤丘陵区不同植被类型土壤颗粒分形与水分物理特征

为探明红壤丘陵区不同植被对土壤分形结构及水分物理特征的改良作用与机制,运用土壤分形学和水文物理学原理与方法,以南方红壤丘陵区福建省长汀县为例,研究经济林、针阔混交林、乔灌混交林及针叶林4种植被类型土壤颗粒组成、分形维数、水分物理参数及其相关性。结果表明:1)红壤丘陵区不同植被类型土壤中以粗砂粒质量含量最高,细砂粒和石砾质量含量次之,粉黏粒质量含量较低,与裸地相比,不同植被类型具有显著提高土壤细砂砾和粉黏粒质量含量的作用,并且混交林作用程度高于纯林;2)红壤丘陵区不同植被类型具有降低土壤密度、增加土壤孔隙度的功能,针阔混交林、乔灌混交林、针叶林、经济林土壤的饱和蓄水量分别是裸地的1.20、1.16、1.14和1.10倍,表土层(0～20 cm)贮水能力好于表下土层(20～40 cm);3)土壤颗粒分形维数与土壤粉黏粒、总孔隙度、饱和蓄水量、孔隙比呈极显著正相关,与石砾质量含量、土壤密度呈极显著负相关,红壤丘陵区4种植被类型土壤均为不均匀性良好的土壤,以混交林土壤粒径分布结构较好,尤其是以针阔混交林的最好,其次是纯林的,针叶林好于经济林,表土层(0～20 cm)大于20～40 cm土层。     

黄河三角洲滩地不同植被类型的土壤贮水功能

以滩涂裸地为对照,对黄河三角洲滩地乔木林、灌木林、草地及农田等4种植被类型改良土壤的盐碱程度、容重和孔隙度状况、土壤入渗性能及蓄水能力进行对比研究.结果表明:不同植被类型均具有一定的压碱抑盐效应.且表土层盐碱含量多低于20-40 cm土层;同时降低土壤容重,增加土壤孔隙度的效应显著,并且对土壤表层的改良效果好于20-40 cm土层.不同植被类型均能改善土壤入渗性能.渗透性能由强到弱表现为乔木林>灌木林>农田>草地,其平均渗透速率分别是滩涂裸地的4.9,3.7,2.9,1.9倍.不同植被类型的土壤饱和蓄水量、毛管蓄水量、非毛管蓄水量均表现为乔木林>灌木林>草地>农田,其饱和蓄水量分别比滩涂裸地高18.3%,11.8%,3.7%和3.5%;土壤涵蓄降水量和有效涵蓄量大小均表现为乔木林>草地>灌木林>农田,且0-20 cm土层的贮水性能均好于20-40 cm.     

黄土丘陵区植被次生演替灌木初期土壤物理性质特征

研究了黄土丘陵区植被次生演替草灌过渡灌木初期的土壤物理性质特征.结果表明:当植被次生演替进展到草灌过渡灌木初期,除土壤含水量外,土壤容重、孔隙度、稳定入渗和水稳性团聚体都好于对照白羊草地,表明灌木树种定居的土壤物理条件一般要高于草本群落.植被演替的过程是植被与土壤相互作用复杂变化的过程,它们的相互反馈也是生态恢复的重要标志.随着植物群落的变化土壤也发生着不同程度变化.其中,土壤物理性质各个因子之间的变化是相互影响和相互联系的.土壤稳定入渗速率与土壤容重、土壤总孔隙度、土壤毛管孔隙度和土壤团聚体之间有显著的相关关系;土壤毛管孔隙度与土壤非毛管孔隙度线性显著负相关;土壤容重与土壤总孔隙度极显著负相关.     

不同植被修复年限对喀斯特地区飞机草入侵生境土壤蓄水能力的影响

飞机草是我国西南地区的主要外来有害入侵杂草,植被替代修复技术是控制飞机草入侵的主要方式之一,目前对于不同植被修复年限下的土壤蓄水能力变化鲜有研究。以"空间代替时间"的方法,分析了不同植被修复年限的生境中土壤物理性质和蓄水能力的变化,探讨不同植被修复年限对广西喀斯特地区飞机草入侵生境土壤蓄水能力的影响。结果表明:在喀斯特地区飞机草入侵生境下土壤物理性质在植被修复过程中得到明显改善,主要表现为随植被修复年限的增加,土壤容重逐渐降低,土壤孔隙度逐渐升高,其中土壤非毛管孔隙度受植被修复年限的影响显著,而毛管孔隙度受植被修复年限的影响相对较小;土壤蓄水能力在植被修复过程中得到明显提高,土壤滞留蓄水量和饱和蓄水量随着植被修复年限的增加逐渐升高,修复10a后分别比未修复生境增加了174.9%和11.6%,而土壤吸持蓄水量受植被修复年限影响较小,在修复过程中无显著变化。因此,植被修复能够显著提高喀斯特地区飞机草入侵生境的土壤蓄水和涵养水源的能力,降低水土流失,促进入侵地的植被恢复,为外来植物入侵生态系统修复提供重要的技术理论依据。     

科尔沁沙地小叶锦鸡儿群落保育土壤作用的研究

以流动沙丘和不同恢复年限的人工和天然小叶锦鸡儿群落为研究对象,从植被重建前后土壤理化性质变化方面分析了小叶锦鸡儿群落保育土壤的作用.结果表明,6 a生、11 a生和22 a生人工小叶锦鸡儿群落对土壤理化性质均有明显的改善作用,且总体上土壤改良效果与恢复年限成正相关.建立人工植被后,土壤中微沙(0.05～0.1 mm)和黏粒(<0.05 mm)的含量增加,表层(0～10 cm)土壤容重减小,孔隙度和饱和含水率增大,土壤持水能力提高;土壤有机碳、全氮、碱解氮、全磷、有效磷和有效钾含量均有不同程度增加,尤以表层增加幅度最大,并且灌丛对养分有明显的富集效应.     

龙须草对土壤理化性状的影响研究

通过定位试验方法,从定量的角度研究与探讨种植龙须草对土壤理化性状的影响。研究结果表明,龙须草能降低土壤容重,提高土壤总孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度和毛管孔隙度,适当增加土壤中粘粒、粉粒含量、减少砂粒含量,改善土壤通气透水性能,提高土壤肥力,改善土壤化学性状,从而达到改良土壤耕性的效果。     

黄土丘陵区典型植被土壤物理性质差异及其对导水特性影响

选取黄土丘陵区12种典型植被样地,通过测定各样地不同土层植物残体生物量、土壤容重、毛管孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度及饱和导水率,研究各指标随土层深度和植被类型的变化规律及其对土壤饱和导水率的影响。结果表明:(1)除容重随土层深度增加外,植物残体、毛管孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度和饱和导水率均随土层深度减少,其中植物残体大多集中于表层土壤(0—10 cm),占总残体生物量的51.4%～85.7%。(2)不同植被类型其植物残体及土壤物理性质存在显著差异,乔木林地植物残体、农耕地土壤容重、灌木林地非毛管孔隙度及饱和导水率均最大,而毛管孔隙度与不同土地利用类型间无显著差异。(3)饱和导水率随植物残体生物量密度(0—10 cm)和土壤容重呈幂函数减小,随毛管孔隙度和非毛管孔隙度呈幂函数增大;土壤容重(BD)和非毛管孔隙度(NCP)是影响土壤饱和导水率(K_s)的主要因素,且土壤饱和导水率可表示为两者的综合非线性方程(K_s=0.6BD~(-4.717)NCP~(0.203),P0.01,R~2=0.63,NSE=0.50)。此外,沙棘灌木林地平均饱和导水率最大,有利于降雨过程中土壤水分入渗,具有较强的水土保持功能。本研究结果可为黄土高原植被恢复生态水文效益评价提供理论依据。     

湘中紫色丘陵区不同植被类型根际与非根际土壤理化特征

[目的]探索湘中紫色丘陵区不同植被类型根际与非根际土壤的理化特征,为湘中地区生态修复提供理论依据。[方法]以典型抽样方法调查湘中丘陵区草丛(G)、草灌(GS)、灌木(S)和乔灌(AS)4种典型植被,研究其根际与非根际土壤理化性质的差异,通过典型相关分析揭示根际与非根际土壤理化指标间的耦合关系。[结果]研究区草丛和灌木根际土壤中细砂粒(0.25~0.05mm)含量分别显著(p0.05)低于乔灌63.84%和76.97%;粉粒(0.02~0.002mm)含量表现为草和灌木分别显著高于乔灌的38.48%和37.66%。根际土壤0.25~0.05mm微团聚体含量均表现为乔灌高于其他植被,0.02~0.002mm微团聚体含量均表现为灌木高于其他植被。草灌与灌木非根际土壤有机质含量显著(p0.05)低于根际土壤148.05%和121.92%,灌木和草灌根际土壤有机质含量显著(p0.05)高于乔灌土壤84.28%和92.08%;草灌根际土壤全氮含量显著(p0.05)高于非根际土壤83.33%,草灌根际土壤碱解氮含量显著(p0.05)高于乔灌土壤200.83%;不同植被类型根际/非根际土壤磷含量差异不明显,总体来看,同一植被根际土壤全磷含量低于非根际土壤,而有效磷表现为乔灌最低;乔灌根际土壤速效钾含量分别显著(p0.05)低于草丛和草灌土壤125.15%和137.71%,除草灌外,其余植被类型根际土壤全钾含量均低于非根际土壤。典范相关分析表明土壤有机质和全量养分含量,2~1,1~0.5,0.25~0.05mm土粒含量,2~1,1~0.5mm团聚体3组理化性状间相互关系密切。[结论]改善土壤理化性质,促进湘中丘陵地区生态恢复,应注重协调土壤养分、颗粒组成及团聚体之间的耦合关系。     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Potential of wild species for genetic enhancement of some semi-arid food crops

Discovery and incorporation of genes from wild species provide means to sustain crop improvement, particularly when levels of resistance in the cultigens are low and virulent strains of pests and pathogens overcome the host plant resistance. The extent of utilization and the potential of the wild genepool for genetic enhancement were reviewed in five important food crops viz. sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut grown in the semi-arid tropics. Introgression from compatible wild germplasm in the primary gene pool resulted in transfer of new cytoplasmic male sterility systems in pearl millet and pigeonpea, development of high protein, cleistogamous flower and dwarf pigeonpea lines and foliar disease resistant groundnut cultivars. Utilization of wild species in secondary and tertiary gene pools has been generally limited due to sterility, restricted recombination or cross incompatibility. Nevertheless, these species are extremely important as they contain high levels of resistance to several important biotic and abiotic stresses. Several of them, like those belonging to the Parasorghum section and the rhizomatous Arachis species are sources of multiple resistances and hold great promise to sustain crop productivity.     

“绿色革命”以来大气CO2浓度升高对C3作物营养品质的影响

自20世纪60年代"绿色革命"以来,育种技术和农耕技术的发展促进了农作物产量的大幅提升,然而作物的营养品质出现下降趋势。在相似的遗传背景下,大气CO_2浓度升高会使单位体积农作物产品的营养元素含量下降,因此"绿色革命"至今,农作物产品的营养元素下降可能受大气CO_2浓度升高影响。通过植物生长箱模拟"绿色革命"初期和目前的大气CO_2浓度水平(310μmol/mol和400μmol/mol),针对主要C_3作物水稻、小麦和大豆,研究"绿色革命"以来大气CO_2浓度升高对其籽粒的C、N、Fe、Zn元素含量的影响,结果表明:CO_2浓度升高对3种作物籽粒的C元素含量几乎没有影响,变化幅度在±1.5%之间;籽粒的N、Fe、Zn元素含量普遍呈现下降趋势,但均未达到显著水平。     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

Effect of some fungicide seed treatments on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybean [Glycine max. (L) Merr.]

Several commercial fungicide seed treatments were evaluated for their possible effect on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on seeds and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans in a greenhouse and a field experiment. quinolate Pro (carbendazim and oxine copper), Vitavax 200FF (carboxin and thiram), and Monceren (pencycuron) had a small effect or no effect on the survival of B. japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans. They can thus be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation. Germipro UFB (carbendazim and iprodione), Apron 35J (metalaxyl), and Tachigaren (hymexazol) decreased B. japonicum survival and the nodulation and yield of soybeans and thus cannot be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation.     

Einfluss der düngungsmethoden auf die entwicklung von zuckerrübenkrankheiten

Während neunjähriger (1994-2002) Untersuchungen in der Versuchsanstalt Ba?cyny (Fahlerde, Fall-Gleyboden, ausgebildet aus leichtem Lehmboden) wurde der Befall mit Krankheiten an der Zuckerrübe in Abhängigkeit von der Düngungsmethode bewertet. Folgende Methoden wurden angewendet: A - Mineraldünger, B - Stalldung und Mineraldünger, C - Stroh-, Gründung und Mineraldünger, D - Kompostdünger und Biopräparate (ökologische Düngung). Auf den Objekten A, B, C wurden bei konstanter Phosphor-Kalium-Düngung die Stickstoffgaben von 0 bis 180 kg.ha^?1 differenziert. Auf dem ökologischen Objekt D ohne Mineraldünger wurden statt Stickstoff die Biopräparate P₅₀₀ und P₅₀₁ verabreicht. Der geringste Befall von Krankheiten wurde an der Zuckerrübe auf jenem Objekt festgestellt, das mit Kompost und den Biopräparaten gedüngt worden war. Im Rahmen der konventionellen Düngungsmethoden wurde allgemein die höchste Intensität der Krankheiten an der mit Stroh, Gründung und Mineraldünger gedüngten Zuckerrübe beobachtet. Ausnahmen von dieser Regel bildete das Vorkommen von echtem Mehltau und Keimlingsfäule. Auf den Objekten A, B, C nahm die Intensität der Krankheiten mit der Steigerung der Stickstoffgabe zu. Auch die auf Objekt D verabreichten Biopräparate stimulierten die Entwicklung der Krankheiten. The effect of various fertilization methods on the diseases of sugar beet was estimated on the basis of nine-year studies (1994-2002) conducted in the Experimental Production Farm in Ba?cyny on loess-based, sedimentary-gley, light-clay soil. The following fertilization methods were applied: A - mineral fertilization, B - mineral and manure fertilization, C - straw, green manure and mineral fertilization, D - ecological compost and biodynamic preparations fertilization. In the objects A, B and C fertilized with phosphorus and potassium, various doses of nitrogen ranging from 0 to 180 kg/ha^?1 were used. In the ecological object D, where mineral fertilization was not used, biodynamic preparations P₅₀₀ and P₅₀₁ were applied instead of nitrogen. The lowest ratio of the diseases of sugar beet was observed in the object fertilized with the compost and biodynamic preparations. In view of the conventional fertilization methods, generally the highest incidence of diseases was noted in the sugar beet fertilized with straw, green manure and mineral fertilizers. The exception was the occurrence of powdery mildew and the black leg. In objects A, B and C the incidence of the diseases increased with the increase in nitrogen doses. The applied biodynamical preparations in the object D stimulated the development of diseases too.     

Prospects for control of Pythium damping-off of lettuce with Trichoderma,Gliocladium and Enterobacter spp.

Summary Damping-off of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) caused by Pythium ultimum was studied in pots containing a non-sterile potting mix in the glasshouse. Fifty P. ultimum sporangia g^-1 compost reduced the plant stand to 15% and shoot dry weight to 18%, but this reduction was totally prevented by applying Trichoderma harzianum at 2×10⁵ viable propagules g^-1 potting mix. Gliocladium virens and Enterobacter cloacae also alleviated the damping-off. E. cloacae did not adversely affect the action of the fungal antagonists. The co-existence of the bacterial and fungal antagonists was revealed on the root surface and inner surface of the testa by scanning electron microscopy, indicating the compatibility of the biocontrol agents.