盐池沙地不同土壤水分条件下沙柳的光响应研究

在半干旱的盐池沙区,运用Li-6400便携式光合测定系统,测定了3 a生沙柳在不同水分条件下叶片光合和蒸腾作用的光响应特性.结果表明;0～2 000μmol/(m2·s)PAR范围内,沙柳在土壤水分为2%,4%,8%,12%时的光饱和点分别为1 340,1 520,1 550和1 633 μmol/(m2·s),随土壤含水量的增大而增大;Tr随PAR的增高不断增大;最大Pn分别为8.7,9.1,9.47和19.52 μmol/(m2·s);维持较高的Pn,即净光合速率达到最大的80%时,最低光照强度均在500μmol/(m2·s)以上;既保证较高的光能利用效率又维持较高的水分利用效率的光强600～1 500 μmol/(m2·s).沙柳平均Pn随着土壤含水量的增大而增大,而平均WUE在土壤含水量为8%时达到最大值,因此,沙柳的光能利用效率和水分利用效率都比较好的SWC应该为8%左右.     

延长通风时问与增施C02对温室生态因子及黄瓜光合特性的影响研究

研究延长通风时间 (4h/d)并增施CO2 对温室黄瓜光合作用的影响结果表明 ,与对照相比 ,延长通风时间使通风时段内平均CO2 浓度升高 4 3 80 μL/L ,平均温度和湿度分别降低 2 4 0℃和 35 0Pa ,黄瓜叶片露时约缩短 2 5h/d ;延长通风时间与增施CO2 使黄瓜平均光合速率分别提高 1 6 3μmol/m2 ·s和 3 33μmol/m2 ·s,促进光合产物积累。     

西安浐灞生态区光合有效辐射变化规律研究及气候学计算

使用西安浐灞生态区2011年4-10月(世园会期间)光合有效辐射PAR及邻近气象站观测资料,应用气候统计方法分析探讨了该地的PAR、光合有效辐射系数ηQ的基本变化特征及形成原因.主要结论有:4-10月西安世园会址的PAR为5 095.2 mol/m2,平均月、日总量分别为727.9 mol/m2,23.8 mol/(m2·d);PAR总量夏季大于春季,春季明显大于秋季,原因为罕见秋霖;PAR的日变化为中午大,早晚小,且春、夏季明显高于秋季,晴天日多为500～600 mol/m2,阴天日多为200～300 mol/m2.ηQ具有明显的月份和季节变化特征,拟合曲线呈双峰型,7月和10月为峰值月,5月和9月为谷值月;ηQ值夏季最大,秋季次之,春季最小;ηQ日变化特点为阴天日明显高于晴天日,二者平均相差0.47 mol/MJ.最后提出了适合西安的ηQ气候学经验计算公式.     

UV-B对人工气候室内黄瓜苗期生长、生理及抗氧化系统的影响

紫外线(UV-B)是植物生长发育的关键信号因子.过量或缺少UV-B都会影响作物的抗性、产量和品质.然而,目前植物工厂中适宜黄瓜生长的UV-B强度尚不明确.以黄瓜(Cucumis sativus L.)苗期植株为材料,研究不同强度UV-B对人工气候室内黄瓜苗期植株生长、生理和抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明:与对照相比,UV-B处理黄瓜植株高度降低4.2%~32.0%,叶片中可溶性蛋白含量降低14.2%~28.2%.3.33μmol/(m2·s)UV-B处理植株茎粗增加13.6%~22.3%,叶片中可溶性糖的含量增加22.7%~56.7%,同时激活抗氧化系统,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性分别提高16.9%~23.2%,23.8%~25.9%,34.1%~50.4%,抗坏血酸含量增加27.4%~36.4%.由此可知,3.33μmol/(m2·s)UV-B有利于人工气候室中黄瓜苗期植株的生长发育、抗氧化酶活性提高及抗氧化物质生成.     

冬小麦农田尺度瞬态CO2通量与水分利用效率日变化及影响因素分析

以华北平原冬小麦农田尺度为研究对象,采用涡度相关技术,研究冬小麦灌浆期瞬态CO2通量日变化特征及其与农田热量平衡各分量的关系。结果表明,非水分胁迫下CO2通量日变化(负值表示通量指向冠层)为U型,群体净光合速率最高值为-1.2~-1.4mg/m2.s,夜间瞬态CO2通量呈非稳定变化,最高值达0.4~0.54mg/m2.s。白天时段内CO2通量与净辐射、潜热通量呈高度相关,8:00~15:30时段内CO2和水汽通量呈同步日变化趋势,水分利用效率处于稳定状态,瞬态水分利用效率基本维持在0.012~0.014g(CO2)/g(H2O)范围内;但早晨和傍晚时段内水分利用效率变化较大。     

我国4种主要苹果树形光合能力差异研究

光合作用是影响果树生长发育的重要因素,果实的产量和品质主要取决于树冠内叶片的光合作用分布。本研究主要目的是利用三维树冠光合耦合模型模拟比较我国4种主要苹果树形(小冠疏层形、疏散分层形、纺锤形和开心形)光合能力的三维分布和日变化。试验于2010—2012年在富士苹果(Malus domestica Borkh.cv."Fuji")园进行,通过实测确定三维树冠内叶片和辐射分布,根据不同辐射下叶片最大光合速率经验公式计算叶片净光合速率(Pn)在三维树冠空间内的分布。结果表明,Pn的三维分布和相对辐射相似,在树冠上部变化平缓,在树冠内随辐射的降低而急剧减少;光合总量的分布主要取决于叶面积密度。通过对4种主要苹果树形光合能力分析研究发现,当PAR=1 500μmol.m 2.s 1时,4种树形的Pn分别为:小冠疏层形6.72μmol.m 2.s 1、疏散分层形7.52μmol.m 2.s 1、纺锤形7.24μmol.m 2.s 1、开心形9.88μmol.m 2.s 1。不同树形日光合总量的差异主要与叶面积指数相关;在晴天,单位地面上4种树形的日光合总量分别为:小冠疏层形665.5 mmol.m 2.d 1、疏散分层形791.7 mmol.m 2.d 1、纺锤形752.6 mmol.m 2.d 1、开心形601.1 mmol.m 2.d 1。研究表明,4种苹果树形中开心形树冠Pn高,有利于提高果实品质;而其他3种树形的光合总量大,有利于提高果实产量。     

花期低温寡照对番茄开花坐果特性及果实品质的影响

以"金粉5号"番茄为试材,在人工气候箱内设置4个低温寡照处理,即14/4℃(日最高/最低温度)′400μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)(光合有效辐射PAR),14/4℃′200μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1),12/2℃′400μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1),12/2℃′200μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1),每个处理持续时间均分别为2、4、6、8、10d,以适宜生长条件25/18℃′800μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)为对照(CK),观察番茄开花、坐果特性,并测定果实产量及品质等指标。结果表明:(1)低温寡照胁迫使番茄现蕾和开花速度明显减慢,且胁迫程度越强增长速度越慢,12/2℃′200μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)处理不同天数后单株花蕾增长数均为0,开花数也最少,处理6d后才有新开花朵,为每株0.33朵。(2)番茄坐果数随处理时间呈"S"型变化,低温寡照处理4d以上番茄植株的坐果期明显延迟,其中12/2℃′400μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)处理10d的坐果时间最晚,较CK延迟了10.5d。(3)低温寡照胁迫下,番茄畸形果发生率随胁迫程度的加深而增加,单株产量与处理天数呈负相关关系,其中不同低温寡照处理2d对番茄产量无明显影响,而处理8d以上的番茄减产率则达到70%以上。(4)同一温度相同处理天数下,果实的维生素C、可溶性固形物含量和糖酸比随PAR的减弱而减小,而在相同PAR和相同处理天数下,维生素C、可溶性固形物含量和糖酸比随处理温度的降低而降低;有机酸含量则呈相反趋势。     

土壤水分光辐射对白榆生理因子影响的研究

在山西省方山县,采用人工控制土壤水分方法,利用模拟光源研究了白榆苗6个土壤水分水平的净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和瞬时水分利用率随光辐射(I)增强的变化规律。结果表明:白榆叶片的Pn、水分利用率在I较低时〔大约0~1500μmol/(m2.s)〕,随I的增强而增大,当I进一步增强,白榆的Pn和水分利用率呈下降趋势;而白榆叶片的Tr在无水分胁迫情况下,始终随I的增强而增大。通过6个土壤梯度水分的比较得出:随土壤水分增加,白榆Pn、Tr和水分利用率的变化趋势先增大后减小。在土壤含水量为5.34%~21.76%时,白榆的光饱和点为750~1542μmol/(m2.s),光补偿点为85~35μmol/(m2.s),由光饱和点对应最大净光合速率为1.28~12.80μmol(CO2)/(m2.s)。     

条带间作下矮秆作物行间辐射差异的模拟与分析

间作是未来中国解决粮食安全的一种重要途径,提高间作内光合有效辐射(photosynthetically active radiation,PAR)的利用效率对于提高作物单产具有重要意义。该文针对Munz模型中对于窄条带间作下模拟精度降低的问题,引入了玉米叶面积密度随冠层深度的分布函数,并基于试验测量的辐射重新获取了散射辐射消光系数,实现了窄条带间作系统中不同行矮秆作物冠顶瞬时PAR的模拟。试验设置了3∶6和2∶3两种玉米/大豆间作处理,并进行不同天气条件下各行大豆冠顶PAR模拟值与测量值的比较。结果显示:两者之间具有较好的一致性,决定系数(R2)的范围为0.76~0.99,3∶6间作大豆中行的均方根误差(root mean square error,RMSE)范围为59.1~76.4μmol/(m2·s),内行为76.8~99.7μmol/(m2·s),边行为97.2~157.8μmol/(m2·s);2∶3间作大豆中行RMSE的范围94.9~129.5μmol/(m2·s),边行为125.8~181.0μmol/(m2·s)。结果表明:模型能够较好模拟一天中各行大豆冠顶PAR的变化规律,并能基本反映各行全天累积PAR的差异,且3∶6间作的模拟精度优于2∶3间作,内行优于边行。研究可为条带间作系统内不同行矮秆作物的生长及产量差异提供理论基础和依据。     

茂兰喀斯特森林亚优势种短萼海桐树干液流特征及其环境因子响应

使用热扩散液流探针,于2012年2月—2014年3月连续测定茂兰喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶林的亚优势种短萼海桐的树干液流,同步测定气温、太阳辐射、降水量和土壤含水量等环境因子,分析海桐树干液流速率和整树蒸腾量在日、季节时间尺度和天气类型下的变化特征,以及液流速率与环境因子的关系。结果表明:海桐单株日均液流速率为(3.14±0.10)g H2O/m2·s中白天和夜间的液流速率分别为(5.20±0.17)g H2O/m2·s和(0.55±0.02)g H2O/m2·s,相差9.45倍。不同天气类型的液流速率表现为:晴天(5.71±0.15)g H2O/m2·s阴天(1.95±0.10)g H2O/m2·s雨天(1.65±0.10)g H2O/m2·s。海桐样树单株日均蒸腾量为(2.10±0.07)kg,范围为(0.09~8.05)kg,其中白天蒸腾量(1.94±0.06)kg和夜间补水耗水量(0.16±0.01)kg分别占日耗水量的92.38%和7.62%。各季节的单株日蒸腾量依次为:夏季(3.32±0.14)kg/d秋季(2.18±0.12)kg/d春季(2.14±0.12)kg/d冬季(0.76±0.05)kg/d。相关分析表明:在不同天气类型的各时段,液流速率均与气温、水汽压亏缺和风速呈极显著正相关(P0.01),与空气相对湿度呈极显著负相关;太阳辐射在白天时段和全天尺度与液流速率呈极显著正相关;液流速率与降水量在雨天夜间呈极显著正相关,与土壤体积含水量在晴天、阴天的夜间及雨天所有时段呈极显著正相关。在相关分析的基础上,分时间尺度和天气类型建立了单株日均液流速率与环境因子的逐步回归方程。逐步回归结果表明:白天和夜间,影响海桐液流最主要的环境因子分别是太阳辐射和20cm层土壤体积含水量。晴天和阴天,气温对液流的影响高于其它环境因子,在雨天,太阳辐射则是主要影响因子。春季、秋季和冬季,海桐液流主要受太阳辐射控制,夏季则主要受VPD控制。太阳辐射、气温、VPD是影响海桐液流速率的主要环境因子,土壤水分是夜间补水液流的驱动因子。     

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