间作条件下超积累和非超积累植物对重金属镉的积累研究

通过温室盆栽试验,研究了超积累植物龙葵、非超积累植物黑麦草、苋菜分别与玉米间作条件下对重金属Cd的积累特性。结果表明,几种间作作物中地上部生物量最大的是龙葵,其次是苋菜,最小的是黑麦草,其中土壤Cd浓度为1.59 mg/kg时,龙葵地上部生物量分别是苋菜、黑麦草的2.41、10.6倍;土壤Cd浓度为1.92 mg/kg时,龙葵地上部生物量分别是苋菜、黑麦草的2.42、9.06倍,3种富集植物地上部生物量的差异达到显著水平。玉米间作条件下超积累植物龙葵各器官中Cd含量表现为叶茎籽粒根,即地上部大于根部;而苋菜中Cd含量表现为根茎叶,黑麦草中Cd含量表现为根部地上部,即非超积累植物Cd含量为根部大于地上部。土壤中Cd含量为1.59 mg/kg时,龙葵地上部Cd累积量分别为苋菜、黑麦草的28.0、59.9倍;龙葵的富集系数是苋菜、黑麦草的28.2、59.3倍,转运系数分别是苋菜、黑麦草的8.08、55.9倍。土壤中Cd含量为1.92 mg/kg时,龙葵地上部Cd累积量分别为苋菜、黑麦草的30.8、43.5倍;龙葵的富集系数分别是苋菜、黑麦草的29.4、41.4倍,转运系数分别是苋菜、黑麦草的7.98、53.6倍。综上可知,超积累植物龙葵对土壤中Cd的吸收与转运能力远远大于非超积累植物苋菜、黑麦草,龙葵是最理想的与玉米间作的Cd污染土壤修复的植物修复材料。     

印度芥菜对土壤Cd,Pb的吸收富集效应及修复潜力研究

通过盆栽试验对比研究了印度芥菜(Brassica juncea)和油菜对复合污染土壤Cd,Pb的吸收富集效应及修复效率.初步探讨印度芥菜品种Wild Garden Pungent Mix净化重金属污染土壤的应用潜力.结果表明:Cd,Pb复合污染条件下,与油菜相比,印度芥菜对重金属Cd,Pb的抗耐性较强,地上部生物量较大,是同处理油菜的1.1～2.0倍.印度芥菜和油菜对重金属Cd,Pb的吸收富集表现出较为一致的特点,并且对土壤中重金属的吸收能力顺序均为Cd＞Pb,对土壤中Cd的吸收达到了100 mg/kg以上.表现出了超富集植物的特性.但相比之下,印度芥菜对土壤中Cd,Pb的吸收富集能力强于油菜.同时通过多元回归分析表明,两种植物对Cd,Pb的吸收不存在复合效应.本研究中,印度芥菜对Cd的净化率为0.35%～9.22%,是同处理下油菜的2.1～3.5倍;印度芥菜对Pb的净化率只有0.015%～0.356%,虽然是同处理下油菜的1.4～5.5倍,但远小于对Cd的净化率.研究表明,该品种印度芥菜具备应用于修复Cd污染土壤的潜力.     

重金属污染土壤的植物修复研究Ⅰ.金属富集植物Brassica juncea对铜、锌、镉、铅污染的响应

用来修复污染土壤的理想植物应具有高的生物量并能忍耐和积累污染物.印度芥菜(Brassica juncea)能富集多种重金属且生物量较大.本文研究了Zn、Cd、Cu、Pb 4种重金属对印度芥菜生长的影响,特别是重金属对印度芥菜地上部生物量的影响.结果表明,在含Cu 250 mg/kg、Pb 500mg/kg或Zn 500mg/kg的污染土壤上,印度芥菜能够忍耐,正常生长.印度芥菜在含Cd 200 mg/kg的土壤上发生镉毒而出现失绿黄化症状,Cd与中等浓度的Zn、Cu、Pb共存时毒害更为严重.这种植物适合Cu、Zn、Pb中等污染土壤的修复.     

重金属污染土壤的植物修复研究Ⅰ.金属富集植物Brassica juncea对铜、锌、镉、铅污染的响应

用来修复污染土壤的理想植物应具有高的生物量并能忍耐和积累污染物。印度芥菜(Brassica juncea)能富集多种重金属且生物量较大。本文研究了Zn、Cd、Cu、Pb 4种重金属对印度芥菜生长的影响,特别是重金属对印度芥菜地上部生物量的影响。结果表明,在含Cu 250 mg/kg、Pb 500mg/kg或Zn 500mg/kg的污染土壤上,印度芥菜能够忍耐,正常生长。印度芥菜在含Cd 200 mg/kg的土壤上发生镉毒而出现失绿黄化症状,Cd与中等浓度的Zn、Cu、Pb共存时毒害更为严重。这种植物适合Cu、Zn、Pb中等污染土壤的修复。     

培养基质对印度芥菜Cd、Pb、Zn富集效果的研究

通过温室土培和砂培盆栽对比试验,研究了外源Cd、Pb、Zn复合污染对印度芥菜富集重金属的效果。结果表明,印度芥菜Cd、Pb和Zn的富集量分别与土培和砂培Cd、Pb、Zn的添加量呈极显著正相关。砂培印度芥菜Cd、Pb和Zn的富集量分别远大于土培,前者印度芥菜地上部Cd、Pb、Zn的最高富集量分别达311.3,248.0,2760mg/kg,分别为土培的10.4,12.9,4.67倍;砂培条件下印度芥菜地上部Cd、Pb、Zn的提取量均大于土培,分别为土培的1.29～8.96倍、1.02～8.58倍和1.68～5.62倍;印度芥菜Cd、Pb、Zn的富集系数砂培较土培明显增大,其中富集系数的变化为CdZnPb,对Pb的富集系数除个别处理外均小于1,说明印度芥菜对Cd、Zn具有很强的富集能力,对Pb的富集能力较弱。研究表明,土培条件下Cd、Pb、Zn的生物有效性较低,直接制约着印度芥菜对土壤重金属污染的修复效果。     

3种植物对红壤中镉的富集特性研究

重金属超富集植物是重金属污染土壤植物修复的基础,研究了3种重金属富集植物羽叶鬼针草、美洲商陆和紫叶芥菜对重金属Cd的吸收积累规律,为植物修复Cd污染的农田和生态环境建设提供科学依据。采用盆栽方法,在不同浓度（0、20、35、50、65、80mg·kg^-1）Cd处理下,分别测定3种植物地上部与根部Cd的含量,计算了地上部Cd迁移量、根系耐性指数、富集系数,研究了土壤中Cd添加量与植物富集Cd量的相关性。结果表明,随着土壤中Cd离子浓度的升高,3种植物地上部和根系中的Cd含量也在增加,相关系数都大于0．99;综合地上部与根部Cd含量,地上部Cd迁移量,根系耐性指数和富集系数,3种植物对Cd的富集能力的相对顺序为：羽叶鬼针草〉美洲商陆〉紫叶芥菜。羽叶鬼针草、美洲商陆种植在Cd处理浓度为65mg·kg^-1的土壤中和紫叶芥菜种植在Cd处理浓度为80mg·kg^-1的土壤中栽培时,3种植物地上部与根部的Cd含量均超过了100mg·kg^-1,达到了Cd超富集量的标准。羽叶鬼针草、美洲商陆和紫叶芥菜对Cd有很强的耐受性和富集性,可以作为先锋植物去修复被Cd污染的土壤。     

Cd,Pb复合污染对印度芥菜抗氧化酶活性的影响

运用二因素(Cd、Pb)五水平回归正交设计,采用盆栽试验法,对比研究了Cd、Pb复合污染胁迫对印度芥菜和油菜MDA含量,以及SOD、POD和CAT活性的影响。结果表明:在Cd、Pb复合污染胁迫下,印度芥菜和油菜MDA含量显著上升,升幅分别为13.89%～118.47%,24.22%～231.22%。油菜MDA含量上升幅度显著高于同处理印度芥菜,重金属毒害症状明显。Cd、Pb复合污染对印度芥菜和油菜体内3种抗氧化酶活性的影响效应明显不同。随着Cd、Pb复合浓度的增加,Cd、Pb协同使印度芥菜SOD活性总体上呈显著上升趋势,SOD活性最大值与对照相比上升了20.12%,而POD和CAT活性则呈先显著上升后下降的变化趋势,但POD和CAT活性最小值与对照差异不显著,且Cd、Pb之间未产生复合效应;对于油菜来说,随着Cd、Pb复合浓度的增加,SOD和POD活性总体呈显著下降趋势,最小值与对照相比分别降低了21.58%,19.06%。Cd、Pb对SOD和POD活性产生了复合效应,但主要表现为Cd的极显著抑制作用。CAT活性则呈先上升后下降的变化趋势,CAT活性最大值与对照相比上升了26.24%,最小值与对照相比降低了10.96%。因此,综合分析可知,与普通植物相比,印度芥菜能够通过调节体内的抗氧化酶活性,主要是SOD活性来提高对镉铅复合污染的生态适应性,因而表现出较高的耐受性。     

微生物对土壤Cd Pb和Zn生物有效性的影响研究

采用土壤盆栽模拟试验方法,研究了接种不同微生物对重金属富集植物——印度芥菜修复土壤中Cd、Pb、Zn的作用效果。结果表明,接入菌株JA27、JC55、JC40不仅显著促进植物的生长,提高印度芥菜的生物量,降低了土壤pH,并且对土壤Cd、Pb、Zn产生活化作用,使土壤Cd、Pb、Zn有效态含量显著增加,增强印度芥菜对土壤Cd、Pb、Zn吸收量,显著提高了富集植物的修复效果。以上3个处理使印度芥菜地上部Cd、Pb、Zn吸收量分别提高了117%～137%、37%～62%、9%～15.1%。接种JB37对土壤Cd、Pb、Zn产生钝化作用,并且抑制印度芥菜对土壤Cd、Pb、Zn的吸收。JB37处理印度芥菜地上部Pb、Zn吸收量分别降低了72.5%、27%,对Cd吸收量无显著影响。     

印度芥菜(Brassica juncea L.)重金属耐性机理研究进展

印度芥菜可富集/忍耐Cd、Zn 等多种重金属, 是研究植物修复技术的一种模式植物。高浓度的重金属离子会改变植物的基因表达、细胞形态、细胞结构, 最终使植物生长受抑, 甚至死亡。印度芥菜高效的抗氧化系统、损伤修复系统以及对重金属的螯合、区域化可部分解除重金属的毒性, 缓解重金属离子的毒害作用。利用基因工程技术在印度芥菜中导入重金属耐性及运输相关基因可大幅度提高其重金属富集能力, 在重金属污染修复方面具有广阔的应用前景。     

两种基因型龙葵对镉胁迫的生理响应及镉吸收差异

采用盆栽试验,通过研究不同浓度镉（0、5、25、50、100μg·g-1）胁迫下红果龙葵和少花龙葵幼苗根、茎和叶的生物量变化、镉吸收量、镉转移率、镉富集系数和叶片抗氧化酶（SOD、POD）活性、叶片可溶性蛋白和游离脯氨酸含量等指标的变化,比较2种基因型龙葵富集镉的差异。结果表明,2种基因型龙葵富集重金属镉存在明显差异。与对照相比,在Cd胁迫浓度≥25μg·g-1时,2种龙葵的生物量显著下降（P〈0.05）,而少花龙葵的下降趋势较红果龙葵小;随着Cd胁迫浓度的增加,2种龙葵根、茎和叶的Cd吸收量显著上升（P〈0.05）,且根部Cd含量高于茎和叶,而少花龙葵的根、茎和叶中的Cd含量均高于红果龙葵,2种龙葵的镉转移率和富集系数除5μg·g-1Cd胁迫外,均小于1,且少花龙葵对镉转移率和镉富集系数均大于红果龙葵。2种龙葵叶片可溶性蛋白、游离脯氨酸含量以及抗氧化酶（SOD、POD）活性均表现为先上升后下降,均表现为少花龙葵上升幅度大而下降幅度较小。综合各项指标表明,2种龙葵均不是Cd的超积累植物,少花龙葵的耐Cd胁迫能力较红果龙葵强。     

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.     

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.     

细菌、真菌及植物氮营养信号研究进展

氮素吸收代谢是所有生物生命活动的核心部分,因此,各种生物对氮的吸收与同化过程都有精细的调节。这种调节依赖于生物对体内氮素状况信号及体外（生长介质中）氮素信号的感受。过去几十年中,在细菌、真菌中已经对氮素营养信号有了较好的研究,而植物中则相对缓慢,但也有了一定的认识。本文重点比较细菌、真菌及植物中氮信号系统的组成,以期为进一步认识植物中的氮信号接受与转导系统提供启示。     

Aircraft operations near concentrations of birds in Antarctica: The development of practical guidelines

Aircraft operations have the potential to disturb and to impact negatively on bird life. A gradient of increasing behavioural response is evident in birds when exposed to increasing aircraft stimulus. The most major disturbance is likely to lead to impacts on the health, breeding performance and survival of individual birds, and perhaps bird colonies. A process of revision to policies on aircraft operations contained in management plans for a number of specially protected areas in Antarctica by the United Kingdom, accompanied by consultations made within the scientific community through the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and with operational interests through the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) resulted in new guidelines being adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties in June 2004. The principal recommendations of the guidelines are that bird colonies should not be overflown below 2000 ft (∼610 m) above ground level and landings within 1/2 nautical mile (∼930 m) of bird colonies should be avoided wherever possible. These guidelines are less stringent and less specific than those that were recommended by the SCAR specialist group on birds, and represent a compromise to accommodate operational needs. While the adoption of clear and consistent guidelines for the operation of aircraft in Antarctica is welcome in that this provides practical advice that is likely to reduce incidences of close aircraft/bird encounters, there remains insufficient knowledge of the interactions between aircraft and birds in Antarctica, and the consequent impacts on individual birds and on bird populations. It is important, therefore, that the guidelines adopted are considered interim, and should be kept under scrutiny with revisions made as new and improved research results appear.     

The abundance of heterocystous blue-green algae in rice soils and inocula used for application in rice fields

Summary Algal populations were quantified (as colony-forming units [CFU] per square centimetre) in 102 samples of rice soils from the Philippines, India, Malaysia and Portugal, and in 22 samples of soil-based inocula from four countries. Heterocystous blue-green algae (BGA) were present in all samples. Nostoc was the dominant genus in most samples, followed by Anabaena and Calothrix. In soils, heterocystous BGA occurred at densities ranging from 1.0 × 10² to 8.0 × 10⁶ CFU/cm² (median 6.4 × 10⁴) and comprised, on average, 9% of the total CFU of algae. Their abundance was positively correlated with the pH and the available P content of the soils. In soil-based inocula, heterocystous BGA occurred at densities ranging from 4.6 × 10⁴ to 2.8 × 10⁷ CFU/g dw (dry weight), comprising only a moderate fraction (average 13%) of the total algae. In most soils, the density of indigenous N₂-fixing BGA was usually higher than that attained by applying recommended rates of soil-based inoculum. Whereas research on the practical utilization of BGA has been mostly directed towards inoculation with foreign strains, our results suggest that attention should also be given to agricultural practices that enhance the growth of indigenous strains already adapted to local environmental conditions.Maître de Recherches ORSTOM (France), Visiting Scientist at IRRI