土壤秸秆注孔对土壤含水量及作物生长的影响

[目的] 研究土壤秸秆注孔对土壤含水量及作物生长的影响,为旱作农田增加雨水蓄集能力及提高水分利用效率提供理论依据。[方法] 开展玉米-小麦轮作田间试验,设置常规种植(CK)、土壤秸秆注孔2孔/m²(T₁),4孔/m²(T₂),8孔/m²(T₃)4个处理。[结果] 秸秆注孔所有处理均提高了整个试验期表层土壤含水量。T₂,T₃处理提高了收获期深层土壤含水量,试验结束时两者底层土壤(60-80 cm)含水量较CK分别提高了29.19 %和28.18 %。秸秆注孔处理提高了作物株高、经济产量和生物量,以及降水利用效率和水分利用效率,T₂,T₃处理的提高效果最明显,且彼此差异不显著。[结论] 秸秆注孔具有保水性能和增产能力,根据成本和效果综合考虑,推荐秸秆注孔4孔/m²(T₂)作为优选处理。     

SO42-和Cl-对稻田土壤养分及其吸附解吸特性的影响

利用长期定位试验 ,比较了长期施用含SO₄^2-和Cl^- 化肥 22年后稻田土壤的 pH值、养分状况及其吸附解吸特性。结果表明 ,长期施用含SO₄^2-化肥 ,土壤有机质、速效氮和速效钾的含量较高 ,但全量氮磷钾的含量较低 ;长期施用含Cl^- 化肥 ,土壤全量氮磷钾和速效磷的含量较高 ,但pH值相对较低。长期施用含上述二种阴离子的化肥后 ,土壤对H₂PO₄^-的最大吸附量均较大 ,且在Cl^- 处理下土壤对H₂PO₄^-吸附的结合能较大 ,而SO₄^2-处理下土壤在同等吸附量时对H₂PO₄^-的解吸量相应较多。长期施用含SO₄^2-的化肥亦使土壤对钾素的供应强度较大 (ΔK0的绝对值较大 )、缓冲能力增强 (AR0值较高 ) ,而长期施用含Cl^- 的化肥时则与SO₄^2-相反     

溶质类型与矿化度对半干旱盐渍化地区果园土壤水分有效性的影响

盐渍化土壤水分有效性是制约土地生产能力的关键因素之一。研究不同盐分类型及矿化度的盐溶液对土壤水分有效性的影响, 可为微咸水合理灌溉以及促进土壤生产潜力的发挥提供科学依据。本研究采用离心法在室内研究了脱水过程中灌溉水的溶质类型(NaCl和Na₂SO₄)与矿化度(0、1 g·L^-1、3 g·L^-1、5 g·L^-1、10 g·L^-1)对半干旱盐渍化地区果园土壤水分有效性的影响。结果表明: 不同矿化度的NaCl和Na2SO4处理均可使田间持水量、暂时萎蔫系数、永久萎蔫系数、迟效水和无效水较对照有所降低。不同矿化度的NaCl处理以及1 g·L^-1的Na₂SO₄处理土壤全有效水和速效水都较对照增加, 3 g·L^-1、5 g·L^-1和10 g·L^-1的Na₂SO₄处理土壤全有效水和速效水都较对照减小。不同矿化度的NaCl和Na₂SO₄处理均可使土壤通气孔隙和毛管孔隙相对减少, 非活性孔隙增大, 其中矿化度为5 g·L^-1的NaCl和Na₂SO₄处理对其影响最为明显, 通气孔隙分别较对照减小16.8%和14.8%, 毛管孔隙分别较对照减小5.2%和6.5%, 非活性孔隙分别较对照增加15.7%和14.4%。NaCl对于土壤比水容量和毛管断裂的延迟效果比NaSO₄明显。且土壤溶液盐分含量增加, 土壤持水能力下降、供水性能增加而土壤抗旱性降低。     

缓释肥对紫色土油菜生长和养分吸收利用的影响

分析缓释专用配方肥与当地常用肥对油菜生物量、氮磷钾养分吸收利用及其在土壤中累积的影响，为油菜节肥高效生产提供依据。通过大田试验，以油菜品种三峡油5号为试验材料，设置6种施肥处理：以不施肥（F₀）和常规施肥(F_c)为对照处理，缓释专用配方肥设置4种施肥水平(F₃₇₅: 375 kg·hm^-2，F₅₂₅: 525 kg·hm^-2，F₆₇₅: 675 kg·hm^-2，F₈₂₅: 825 kg·hm^-2)。结果表明，不同施用量的缓释专用肥料对油菜产量、单株有效角果数以F₆₇₅处理最大，F₈₂₅处理次之，F₃₇₅处理最小，其分别较F_c 处理增产43.54%、36.82%、13.88%；施用缓释专用配方肥油菜氮养分损失率从F_c处理的78.30%降低至53.97% ~ 73.66%；磷养分损失率从F_c处理的56.65%降低至20.53% ~ 46.13%；施用缓释专用肥料油菜收获期根区土壤全氮、全磷与全钾含量从F_c处理的0.651 0 g·kg^-1、0.404 4 g·kg^-1与20.74 g·kg^-1上升至0.661 7 ~0.691 4 g·kg^-1、0.407 2~0.496 0 g·kg^-1与28.96~29.50 g·kg^-1。施肥大幅增加油菜生物量，缓释专用配方肥的施用不仅利于提升肥料利用率，同时使得根区土壤养分含量变化较小，结合农业可持续发展，实际生产应该施用缓释专用肥。     

施磷对玉米吸磷量、产量和土壤磷含量的影响及其相关性

为了给玉米磷高效利用提供理论依据, 在低磷土壤(Olsen-P 4.9 mg·kg^-1)上, 通过田间试验, 研究了施磷0(T₀)、50 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2(T₁)、100 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2(T₂)、200 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2(T₃)、1 000 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2(T₄)对两个玉米品种"鲁单9002" (LD9002)、"先玉335"(XY335)的产量、磷素吸收利用及根际磷动态变化的影响。结果表明: 两玉米品种根际土、非根际土速效磷含量在不同生育时期都表现为T12O₅)·hm^-2的T₃处理非根际土转化为根际土土壤磷的量最大, 同时玉米生物量、产量、磷转移量也达到最高, 而施磷1 000 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2处理玉米生物量、产量与中磷水平相比没有显著增加, 但植株吸磷量较高。XY335的花后磷转移量小于LD9002。相关分析表明, LD9002根际土、非根际土速效磷含量与茎、叶吸磷量之间显著相关, 以播种后79 d与茎、叶磷浓度、吸磷量、生物量、产量之间的相关系数最高; 而XY335根际土、非根际土速效磷含量与茎、叶磷浓度之间显著相关, 在播种后47 d期间与茎、叶磷浓度、吸磷量、生物量、产量之间的相关性最好。因此, 在低磷土壤上, LD9002和XY335分别在播种后79 d和47 d时是植株对磷的敏感期, 可以通过测试根际土、非根际土速效磷含量来反映土壤的供磷状况; LD9002在79 d时最大吸磷量需要的根际土、非根际土速效磷含量分别为54.95 mg·kg^-1、32.99 mg·kg^-1, XY335品种在47 d时最大吸磷量需要的根际土、非根际土速效磷含量分别为51.24 mg·kg^-1、35.35 mg·kg^-1; 施磷量1 000 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2处理两品种玉米产量、生物量、磷积累量与施磷量100~200 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2处理没有显著差异。     

畜禽舍粪便污水及废气净化的研究

猪场污水经文中所述工艺系统处理以后,污水中的化学耗氧量(COD_Cr)达到98.4mg/L;生物需氧量(BOD₅)达到49.6mg/L;悬浮物(SS)达到51.49mg/L以下;硫化物达1.0mg/L以下:铜和铜化物达到0.6mg/L以下。畜舍中的废气净化,选择挥发性的药材制成“姜满净化剂”,能使畜舍的氨(NH₃)降解率达到73.9％,舍内含氟量为15.0mL/m³;硫化氢(H₂S)降解率达到85.8％,舍内的硫化氢浓度为2.8mL/m³;细菌降低率达到70.7％。     

超声波结合嫩化剂对虾干嫩化效果的影响

该文在超声波处理虾干的基础上，采用L₉(3⁴)试验对虾处理条件进行优化，以探讨超声波与嫩化剂对虾干嫩化效果的影响。结果表明：在超声波单因子试验中，超声波能显著改善虾干的组织结构，但同时降低氨基酸含量；加深虾干的色泽；L₉(3⁴)正交试验结果表明，超声波结合嫩化剂处理虾干，不但能显著改善虾干的嫩度，而且较好地保持了虾干的营养成分，各因素对虾干剪切力的影响主次顺序为超声波＞木瓜蛋白酶＞氯化钙＞复合磷酸盐；最佳组合为300 W超声波7 min、0.2%CaCl₂、0.008%木瓜蛋白酶、不添加复合磷酸盐，可达到较好的嫩化效果。此时虾干的剪切力为136 kg/cm²，游离氨基酸含量为19.3 mg/g。方差分析表明，超声波结合木瓜蛋白酶对虾干嫩化效果显著，而CaCl₂和复合磷酸盐嫩化效果不显著。     

长期施肥对塿土硝态氮分布、累积和移动的影响

利用 18年长期定位试验研究了冬小麦 夏玉米轮作制度下 ,有机 无机肥配合施用对土剖面NO₃-N的分布累积和阶段性移动的影响。结果表明 ,土壤剖面中NO₃-N的总量与氮肥施用量直接相关 ,而作物对化肥氮的利用率与施肥量呈相反趋势。低氮处理 (75kg/hm²)及其与有机肥配合施用 ,NO₃-N主要累积在 0～100cm土层内 ;高氮处理 (120kg/km²)及其与有机肥配合施用 ,NO₃-N在剖面出现 2个累积峰 ,且在400cm土层处NO₃-N的含量接近或超过 10mg/kg。适宜的氮肥用量、施用有机肥及合理的有机 无机肥料配比是减少NO₃-N在土壤剖面中的累积和淋失的有效措施     

生物炭对冻融期盐渍化土壤水热肥效应的影响

为探究施加生物炭对冻融期盐渍化土壤蓄水保墒、保温、保肥的作用,以盐渍化土壤为研究对象,连续2年在河套灌区开展田间小区原位冻融试验,设置生物炭用量为15 t/hm²(D15),30 t/hm²(D30),不施加生物炭(CK)3种处理。结果表明:在冻融条件下,0—40 cm土层较40—100 cm土层水分垂直分布规律明显、储水能力强;除在试验第1年的初冻期施加生物炭使0—40 cm土层储水量有所降低外,随生物炭施加时间的增长,生物炭的持水作用逐渐显现,其中与CK相比D30处理更有利于土壤水分保持。施加生物炭可以平抑冻融期土壤温度的变幅、降低融解期土壤温度变化的离散程度,较对照比,2年冻融期0—40 cm土层平均温度生物炭处理提高0.8~1.6 ℃,经过2年冻融过程各处理土壤冻结指数为CK＞D15＞D30,融解指数为D30＞D15＞CK。连续2年冻融期,生物炭的施入均丰富了土壤养分含量,不同程度地减少冻融各阶段0—40 cm土层养分流失,使冻融期土壤速效钾、碱解氮、速效磷含量增幅范围分别达到3.1%~38.1%,1.3%~44.6%,5.4%~80.4%,有机碳密度增加了2.0%~22.4%,其中以D30处理提升效果最为明显。施用生物炭改善了冻融期盐渍化土壤的水热肥状况,可为来年作物的生长繁殖提供良好的环境,生物炭用量30 t/hm²时施用效果较优。     

不同溶岩微生物菌剂与保水剂配比对土壤养分和酶活性的影响

[目的] 探究保水剂和微生物菌剂混合添加对土壤特性的影响,为促进矿山植被恢复提供理论依据。[方法] 在刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)盆栽土壤中加入保水剂和溶岩微生物菌剂,保水剂浓度分别为B₀(0%),B₁(0.3%),B₂(0.5%)。微生物处理为J₀(不添加微生物),J₁〔添加NL₁₁(苏云金芽孢杆菌,细菌〕,J₂〔添加NL₁₁+NL₁(嗜热一氧化碳链霉菌,放线菌)〕,J₃〔添加NL₁₁+NL₁+NL₁₅(卵形孢球托霉,真菌)〕。通过分析刺槐生长、土壤养分、有机碳和土壤酶活性等,探究保水剂和微生物混合添加对刺槐土壤养分和酶活性的影响。[结果] ①溶岩微生物添加提高了土壤速效养分含量和土壤酶活性,其中以J₂微生物处理效果最好。②土壤速效养分随着保水剂浓度增加呈现先增加后降低的趋势,以0.3%保水剂浓度对土壤养分和酶活性促进效果最好。③以J₂B₁,J₃B₀,J₂B₂组合效果对土壤养分和酶活性促进作用较好。[结论] 土壤菌剂和保水剂添加提高了土壤养分和酶活性,其中以J₂B₁,J₃B₀,J₂B₂的组合效果较好。     

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