煤矸石填充对沟道导排水性能和土壤肥力及重金属污染的影响

为探寻适合东北黑土区侵蚀沟复垦的技术方法,该文研究了一种基于复垦后导排水能力最大的侵蚀沟煤矸石填充复垦技术方法,通过模拟一定深度的沟道、应用响应曲面法探究覆土和煤矸石填充厚度的变化对于复垦沟道导排水性能的影响及最优厚度搭配组合预测。同时引入土工布并考察土工布对煤矸石淋溶过程中重金属的隔绝作用。选择一条用煤矸石填充复垦4 a后的侵蚀沟,在耕层(0～20 cm)进行土壤肥力以及重金属污染情况的调查研究。结果表明:1)土层厚度增加减弱沟道导排水能力,混合粒径、大粒径煤矸石层厚度增加增大沟道导排水能力,土层与大粒径煤矸石层组合存在交互作用。覆土、混合粒径及大粒径煤矸石层厚度分别为53.42、38.51、90 cm时,模拟2 m深沟道导排水能力最强。2)沟道复垦4 a后,容重增加、酸度改善、全磷含量持平于对照土壤,全氮、全钾及有机质含量显著低于对照土壤。综合肥力小于对照土壤,略高于黑龙江省第二积温带的土壤综合肥力。3)复垦土壤Pb含量持平于当地对照土壤及背景值,Cr、Cu含量高于当地对照土壤及背景值,但均未超过环境质量二级标准值,3种重金属存在轻度污染及富集现象。研究结果可为土地整理规划提供一定借鉴。     

黄土丘陵区小流域分布式水文和侵蚀模型建立和模拟

基于黄土丘陵区复杂地理环境和土壤侵蚀物理过程,建立了水文过程和侵蚀过程数学模型,水文过程包括降雨入渗和产汇流计算模型;侵蚀过程包括溅蚀-片蚀带侵蚀子模型、梁坡中上部细沟侵蚀带侵蚀子模型、梁坡中下部细沟-浅沟侵蚀带侵蚀子模型、切沟侵蚀带侵蚀子模型、沟道侵蚀带侵蚀子模型;选择黄土丘陵区黑矾沟小流域10场侵蚀性降雨事件作为参数率定,其径流量和侵蚀量模拟精度分别达到了81.8%和70.8%;纸坊沟小流域2场侵蚀性降雨事件用来对模型进行检验,其径流量和侵蚀量模拟精度分别达到了75%和69.3%,与实测结果基本符合,较好地反映了小流域的地表径流过程和侵蚀产沙过程。     

秸秆覆盖对黄土坡面矿质氮素径流流失的影响

利用室内模拟降雨试验，研究了秸秆覆盖对坡面土壤矿质氮素径流流失和入渗的影响。结果表明：秸秆覆盖可使侵蚀量显著减少，减沙效应十分明显。由于秸秆覆盖使坡面径流流速减弱，增加了表层土壤与地表径流的作用强度，使溶解和解吸于径流中的矿质氮素含量增加，但由径流显著减少，矿质氮流失总量仍减少。与裸地相比，秸秆覆盖可显著地增加土壤水分和硝态氮的入渗深度和入渗量。     

秸秆还田阻控黑土侵蚀机理及效应

东北黑土区土壤侵蚀强烈发育,导致黑土地严重退化,直接威胁区域生态安全和国家粮食安全。秸秆还田是黑土区广泛采用的保护性耕作措施,具有明显的阻控土壤侵蚀、抑制土壤退化、提升退化黑土地生态生产功能的作用。本文在系统分析秸秆还田阻控细沟间、细沟、浅沟与切沟侵蚀机理,综合评价秸秆还田水土保持效应的基础上,提出了未来研究亟待加强的重点内容。秸秆还田阻控侵蚀的机理与侵蚀类型直接相关。秸秆覆盖消减降雨动能、抑制土壤物理结皮发育、维持土壤入渗性能、增加地表随机糙率、降低坡面径流流速、减小径流挟沙力和剪切力,是秸秆还田阻控细沟间和细沟侵蚀的直接作用。秸秆分解改善土壤理化性质、促进团聚体发育并提升其稳定性,引起作物生长特性变化,导致细沟间土壤可蚀性和细沟土壤可蚀性降低,土壤临界剪切力增大,是秸秆还田阻控细沟间和细沟侵蚀的间接作用。尽管秸秆还田阻控浅沟和切沟侵蚀的作用不如细沟间和细沟侵蚀那样直接,但仍可通过减小集水区径流侵蚀动力来降低浅沟和切沟发育风险。秸秆还田具有显著的水土保持效应,减流和减沙效益分别为28.0%~95.1%和40.3%~99.7%。但受不同试验条件差异的影响,研究结果可比性较差。未来亟需加强秸秆还田增加地表糙率与径流阻力、降低径流挟沙力水力学机理,土壤抗蚀性能对秸秆还田驱动土壤理化性质变化的响应机制,秸秆还田水土保持效应受土壤类型与坡度的影响及主控因素,秸秆还田阻控侵蚀的长期效应与空间分异,以及秸秆还田技术影响土壤侵蚀过程与机理等研究,为遏制黑土地退化、维持黑土区生态安全、保障国家粮食安全提供理论和技术支撑。     

腐解秸秆和脱硫石膏添加对苏打盐渍土淋洗脱盐效率的影响

苏打盐渍化土壤胶体吸附大量交换性Na~+,造成土壤团聚体崩解,粘粒分散,阻塞土壤孔隙。改良苏打盐渍土需两步:一是提供钙源替换交换性Na~+,二是排出盐分。本文研究了腐解玉米秸秆和脱硫石膏不同改良组合对苏打盐渍土淋洗脱盐效率影响。结果表明,所有改良处理均能改善土壤入渗,入渗速率大小为:脱硫石膏脱硫石膏+腐解秸秆腐解秸秆对照;含脱硫石膏处理显著提高土壤饱和导水率(Ks),在短时间内腐解秸秆处理不能改善土壤导水性,在70 d后才有效果;腐解秸秆处理土壤含水率最高,材料保水性好;淋出液化学性质显示,各改良处理均能促进钠离子的淋洗;土壤化学性质显示,淋洗后各处理土壤盐分均显著下降;脱硫石膏和脱硫石膏+腐解秸秆处理与对照相比,土壤pH降低更显著;各改良处理土壤可溶性钠离子含量显著低于对照,并且土壤中可溶性钙镁等二价阳离子显著高于对照;各改良处理土壤钠吸附比(SAR)均显著低于对照组。     

西柳沟流域拦沙坝沟道冲刷减蚀能力模拟

为探讨风水交错侵蚀区拦沙坝建设对流域沟道侵蚀动力过程及沟道冲刷侵蚀能力的影响,通过分布式水文模型MIKE SHE以及一维水动力模型MIKE 11耦合模拟了西柳沟流域洪水过程,分析了新建拦沙坝建设前后流域沟道侵蚀动力变化,通过建立流域次暴雨水沙响应模型估算了新建拦沙坝工程运行期内的沟道冲刷减蚀能力。结果表明:(1)拦沙坝建成后,流域出口处洪峰流量减少40.90%,洪水总量减小35.85%,显著改变了西柳沟流域洪水过程,洪水过程线明显坦化;(2)流域主沟道平均最大流速、最大径流剪切力和最大径流功率分别减小21.66%,22.02%和34.31%,有效降低了沟道侵蚀动力;(3)在多年平均降水情况下,预计流域新建拦沙坝工程在25年工程运行期内的冲刷减蚀能力可达到3 309.49万t。研究结果可为风水交错侵蚀区拦沙坝减蚀能力评估提供理论支撑。     

秸秆生态复合式谷坊结构及其施工技术

秸秆生态复合式谷坊是利用秸秆填埋侵蚀沟的治理方法，该方法的优点是：在生态袋谷坊的上游填埋秸秆，可以直接将侵蚀基准面提高2 m左右；在填埋秸秆后，沟坡上部再按照1∶1.5的坡比削坡，侵蚀沟两侧在垂直水流方向可减少占地；施工期相对灵活，无须在秋收后冰冻前进行；秸秆具有很好的保水性能，灌木柳的成活率和长势高于在实土上；迎水面布设大量秸秆变相加厚了谷坊的厚度，利用混凝土柱拦挡和锚固加大了生态袋谷坊和填沟秸秆捆的稳定性、牢固性。具体介绍了秸秆生态复合式谷坊的结构和施工技术。     

降雨和径流条件下红壤坡面细沟侵蚀过程

为明确第四纪黏土发育红壤坡面侵蚀过程特征,采用人工模拟降雨和径流冲刷相结合试验,研究坡度、流量和降雨因素对坡面细沟侵蚀过程影响。结果表明:1)坡面侵蚀过程呈现明显阶段性,试验条件下侵蚀前3 min为层状面蚀为主的初始阶段,细沟出现后转变为细沟侵蚀为主的细沟发育阶段。降雨以及增加坡度和流量能加快细沟发育速度和侵蚀速率;2)各侵蚀阶段平均侵蚀速率关系为初始阶段细沟发育阶段细沟稳定阶段。初始阶段侵蚀速率对各水动力学参数响应关系为水流功率坡度水流剪切力单位水流功率=流速流量。细沟发育阶段平均侵蚀速率与水流功率、水流剪切力和坡度关系密切,而细沟稳定阶段侵蚀速率只与坡度和流量相关;3)水流功率是与初始阶段和细沟发育阶段关系最密切的水动力学参数,侵蚀初始阶段的层状面蚀、单独径流冲刷和降雨-径流作用下细沟侵蚀发生的临界水流功率分别为0.091、0.121、?1.691 N/(m·s)。试验在小尺度条件下初步揭示了红壤坡面细沟侵蚀过程特征,为南方红壤丘陵区土壤侵蚀预报模型和侵蚀防治提供理论参考。     

黄土高原典型小流域侵蚀沟形态和稳定性监测初探

[目的]在黄土高原地区选择6条典型小流域,开展侵蚀沟形状特征、发育程度、形态变化等监测,对侵蚀沟稳定性进行分析,初步构建侵蚀沟稳定性评价指标体系。[方法]在雨季前后2次对6条典型小流域主沟道代表性断面、支毛沟代表性断面、支毛沟的沟头进行亚米级精度测量。[结果]获得了6条典型小流域各等级侵蚀沟数量和各流域沟道主断面、支毛沟沟道断面、支毛沟沟头变化数据,并对其进行了分析。初步构建了侵蚀沟稳定性评价指标体系。[结论]影响沟道形态变化的因素基本总结为:降水因素、水保措施、植被覆盖因素、汇水面积、坡度、地表组成物质等。     

植物篱对坡耕地侵蚀沟发育的影响研究

侵蚀沟严重影响黑土区坡耕地的质量和数量,植物篱为无间断式或接近连续的狭窄带状植物群,具有分散地表径流、降低流速、增加入渗和拦截泥沙等多种功能。是坡耕地治理的优良水土保持措施。通过试验表明,植物篱在保持水土的同时,增加了土壤有机质,改善土壤结构和理化性质,提高了土壤抗冲抗蚀性能,蓄水能力的增强,减少了地表径流,减轻了坡耕地较大侵蚀沟发生的可能性。     

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