延庆县人工植被的防风蚀效应研究

通过野外调查与实验观测,对延庆县两种类型人工植被在春季对风沙阻滞规律进行分析研究,结果表明农田防护林带风速在林带后7H处降低最大,防风效能最大,杨树片林风速在9H处最小,防风效能最大;杨树片林的粗糙度最大,农田防护林的粗糙度较小,片林的粗糙度比林内道路提高了1.65倍,比裸地提高了4.81倍;农田防护林带阻沙作用主要在林带背风面,占总阻沙量的82.3%,而杨树片林的阻沙作用主要在林内,占总阻沙量的87.1%.平均阻沙量片林＞林带防护林.     

康庄地区人工植被防风阻沙与土壤改良效益分析

通过对延庆县康庄地区3种人工植被（林带、片林、杏园）不同部位的风速、积沙量、积沙形态特征以及林地土壤养分的观测与分析,比较了不同植被类型防风、阻沙效益及土壤改良效益的差异;研究结果表明：在迎风面1H～10H范围内片林的防风效能最大为25.6%;在林内距迎风面1H～7H范围内杏园防风效能最大为70.0%;在背风面1H～20H范围内防护林带防风效能最大为32.3%。其阻沙量从小到大序列为：林带、片林、杏园;在植被的作用下其积沙形态呈现不同的分布规律。三种植被的土壤改良效果明显,杏园改良效益最佳。     

和田地区绿洲外围农田防护林带的防护效益

在和田地区新垦农地外围的流动沙地种植新疆杨乔木+沙拐枣灌木复合防护林,通过布设风速风向观测仪、沙尘通量梯度仪、温湿度和辐射等测定仪于林带前后,研究防护林网的防护效益,为营建绿洲外围防护林和合理开发利用荒漠区的土地资源提供理论依据。结果表明,防护林带的防风效能随着高度的增加而减弱,大于起沙风速(6m/s)时,新疆杨林带、沙拐枣林带在0.5m处的防风效能分别为67.2%和94.5%,在3m处的防风效能分别为31.3%和33.7%。随着风速的增大,沙拐枣林带和新疆杨林带的防风效能均减弱,新疆杨林带的减弱更为明显。防护林带有效地降低了地表风速,减轻地表风蚀。林带内的输沙量仅为外围的10%左右。此外,林带内的太阳辐射强度下降,温度降低,湿度显著增加。由此可见,防护林可以有效地起到防风固沙,改善区域小气候的作用。     

河北省坝上地区牧场防护林的防风效能研究

[目的]揭示河北省坝上地区御道口牧场防护林林带的防风效能,为牧场防护林建设提供理论依据。[方法]以樟子松防护林林带为研究对象,运用空间多点观测法观测。[结果]当旷野风速为3.84m/s时,在林后1(H为林带平均高度)H处,风速最小,同时防风效能最大,但随着水平距离的增加风速在逐渐升高而防风效能呈逐渐下降趋势。旷野风速越大,林带防风效能增大,有效防护距离变大。当旷野风速为5~6级时,在林内,1H,5H处的防风效能最好,防风效能范围为67.97%~94.27%。不同垂直高度上防风效能的变化趋势由大到小为:30,50,150,300cm,风速的分布规律变化趋势与防风效能正好相反,由大到小为:300,150,50,30cm。[结论]牧场防护林林带后的1~10H区域是林带的最佳保护区和作用范围,其中林后1H的防风效能最好,但会随着风速和垂直高度的变化而有一定的差异。     

干旱风沙区农田防护林网空间风速与地表风蚀特征

为准确了解和评价干旱风沙区在典型大风环境下农田防护林空间风速分布,以及林网内风蚀状况,分别利用三杯风速仪和诱捕法,对干旱风沙区盐池县农田防护林网空间风速与地表风蚀特征开展了林网内不同水平距离内的距地表50、200 cm高度风速分布与地表风蚀状况监测。研究表明:1)随着防护距离的逐渐增大,风蚀量呈先增加后减少的变化趋势,而风速变化规律正好相反;50和200 cm高度的风速变化规律均一致,均呈先逐渐降低后逐渐升高的变化,以12H处对风力减小作用最明显,50和200 cm高度的风速降幅分别达到了51%和46%;林带防风效益与距离呈先增加后减小趋势,以12H(12倍的防护林带树高,下同)处200 cm高度最佳,为53.65%;侵蚀模数由林带内的轻度、1H处的强度到3H、7H处的剧烈,12H处为极强度,以3H处最大,为21 944.62 t/km~2。2)沙粒粒径以73.99、87.99、104.6μm区间为主,其中82.53%~99.93%沙粒均集中在248.9μm以下,为细沙粒,而旷野对照组沙粒粒径主要集中在104.6~148μm,沙粒明显较粗。因此,干旱风沙区沙质农田防护林网在典型大风日内对风速的减缓非常有效。但由于林网内沙物质源丰富,风蚀现象依然严重,对当地沙尘暴发生影响较大。该研究对准确掌握当地林网风蚀,科学评价林网防护功能等有一定的借鉴作用。     

干旱半干旱区落叶期农田防护林防风效果的风洞试验研究

探究落叶期不同结构乔灌木农田防护林带的空气动力学特征,合理配置林带结构对于减轻风季(10月-翌年5月)干旱、半干旱区农田土壤风蚀灾害具有重要意义。该研究利用风洞模拟技术,以"2行1带"式乔灌木林带为研究对象,按照1:100的缩尺比例,设计了不同疏透度、不同行距的林带模型,分析不同结构林带的风速廓线、防风效能和有效防护比,揭示落叶期不同结构林带空气流场特征和防风效果。结果表明:乔、灌木林带对空气流场垂直结构产生了不同影响,乔木林带对气流具有分层作用,风影区位于林带后5倍树高处(5H),灌木林带对气流具有抬升作用,风影区紧邻林带;疏透度较低的林带风速削弱作用更明显,疏透度45%、58%的乔木林带主要防风效能区间分别为20%～25%和15%～20%,疏透度36%、54%的灌木林带主要防风效能区间分别为10%～20%和5%～15%;在疏透度相近的条件下,行距对乔木林带防护效果的影响较小,在相同防风效能下不同行距乔木林带的累积有效防护比相差不到5个百分点,行距对灌木林带防护效果能产生较明显的影响,4cm行距灌木林带相比2.5cm行距林带在相同防风效能下的累积有效防护比高18～25个百分点;本研究中,乔木林带和灌木林带最优配置均为低疏透度(乔木45%、灌木35%)宽行距(乔木6 cm、灌木4 cm)模式。因此,在干旱、半干旱地区构建农田防护林带时,应当充分考虑林木落叶期的结构特征,针对乔木、灌木各自的特点有针对性地进行搭配,在合理的林带疏透度范围内,适当增大林带行距,以提高林带的防风能力,保障林木的健康生长。     

河北坝上农田防护林防风效能及类型配置研究——以河北省康保县为例

通过野外试验观测,对比分析了不同种类和林网结构农田防护林的防风效能,在此基础上提出了区域防护林优化配置建议。结果表明:综合防风效应和有效防护距离因素分析,对乔木农田防护林的综合防风效应进行评价:疏透型农田防护林 > 通风型农田防护林 > 紧密型农田防护林护林;在垂直方向上,三种疏透度的乔木农田防护林在不同高度上大体遵循随高度的增加防风效能逐渐下降的趋势。乔灌混交林、灌木防护林平均防风效能:榆树+柠条的乔灌混交林带21.5% > 灌木防护林带20.5%,风速降低20%的有效防护距离分别出现在林后25H和12H。防护林建设方面乔灌木混交林应为首选;灌木防护林可布设在沙漠化严重的坡耕地或风口地带的农田;乔木防护林不是最佳的选择。     

宁夏地区农田防护林结构与小气候效应

 为研究宁夏地区农田防护林体系的生态效益,于2002年和2003年8月,对宁夏地区农田防护林体系的疏透度、林网内风速、温度、湿度、农作物增产量等多项生态因子,进行了全面调查。采用综合疏透度和农作物增产量的综合权重指标分析表明:大林网、多林带、多树种混交,利于防护林体系综合效益的提高,应是今后防护林建设的重点。对该地区农田防护林体系的生态效益研究表明:农田防护林的防风效能在35%～45%时较高,偏高或偏低时,防护效能都将下降,农田防护林体系特征,决定了林网内风速变化规律;农田防护林体系通过对太阳辐射的再分配,在地面、树体、树叶及作物表面使温度下降40%～60%,这种温度效益在宁夏地区具有防止作物被灼伤的作用;农田防护林网具有增加空气相对湿度和土壤含水量的生态效益,其作用机制与林带的防风功能密切相关。     

植株高大的目标作物对防护林防风效应影响的风洞模拟试验

防护林对降低风害,促进农作物稳产高产具有重要作用,但目前防护林配置研究仅注意到防护林本身,忽视了果树等植株高大作物对风速的影响。该文选取1种果树（枣树）,3种疏透度林带（30.12%、25.01%和20.92%）,在3种风速下（8、10、和14 m/s）进行风洞模拟,研究种植枣树等植株高大目标作物时,防护林风场特征及防风效应。结果表明：不同风速和林带疏透度下,枣树对林带前后流场均具有显著影响,特别是林带后近地面风速削减程度较大。1）随风速增大,无枣树林带防风效应减小,有枣树林带变化较小,但增量增大,在8、10、和14m/s风速下分别增大16.40%、23.65%和29.05%;2）疏透度为30.12%时,有枣树林带综合防风效应最佳。随疏透度减小,无枣树林带防风效应增大,有枣树林带变化较小,但增量减小,在3种疏透度下分别增加22.72%、15.22%和1.28%。因此总结认为在集约化和精准农业要求下,进行枣树等植株高大作物防护林带配置时,应考虑目标作物的防风效应,如此可减少防护林面积,显著提高目标作物的经济效益。     

新疆托克逊县不同配置防护林的防风蚀效能

[目的] 对比分析不同配置防护林迎风林缘与背风林缘的防风蚀效能,为干旱区绿洲城市防护林建设、防沙治沙以及生态环境改善工作提供理论依据。[方法] 以新疆托克逊县城郊区不同配置防护林为研究对象,通过观测近地表风速、起沙风速、近地表粗糙度、输沙量、风沙流结构等指标,对比研究混交林1（胡杨68%+柽柳32%）、混交林2（柽柳65%+胡杨35%）、梭梭林迎背风林缘的防风蚀效能。[结果] 不同配置防护林的地表粗糙度、起沙风速、风速廓线、防风阻沙效能都有差异。不同配置防护林地面粗糙度从高到底依次为：混交林2（0.569 cm）>混交林1（0.378 cm）>梭梭林（0.123 cm）。起沙风速从高到低依次为：混交林2（6.17 m/s）>梭梭林（6.02 m/s）>混交林1（5.98 m/s）。防风效能从强到弱依次为：混交林2>混交林1>梭梭林。阻沙效能依次为：梭梭林（48.2%）>混交林2（45.6%）>混交林1（37.1%）,各林地0—10 cm,10—20 cm垂直高度上的集沙量所占比例较高。[结论] 混交林2有效降低不同垂直高度的风速及输沙量,混交林2的防风蚀效能较高。     

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