细河流域地下水中多环芳烃污染健康风险评价

为了保障细河流域沿岸居民的生活用水安全,采集细河流域9个地下水样品并分析了其中16种多环芳烃（PAHs）的含量,根据毒性当量因子方法和荷兰公共卫生和环境国家研究院提出的土壤地下水污染现场暴露评价模型（CSOIL模型）对多环芳烃的健康风险进行了初步评价。结果表明,细河流域各采样点地下水中∑PAHs含量为159.1～483.7 ng.L-1,低于生活饮用水卫生标准（GB 5749—2006）的浓度限值,表现出规模较大的城镇或乡镇处∑PAHs含量高于其他位置的规律性。作物食入、饮水等经口摄入途径是地下水环境健康风险评价中最主要的暴露途径,各采样点地下水中PAHs在作物食入、饮水、洗澡过程中呼吸吸入和皮肤接触等4种暴露途径产生的总的平均个人年健康风险值为1.19×10-6～3.10×10-5,其健康风险排序为翟家〉前庙〉富官〉前余〉双树〉土西〉大潘〉黄蜡坨〉大兀拉。虽然该风险值低于国际辐射防护委员会（ICRP）推荐的最大可接受值,基本属于可接受范围,但其健康危害已不容忽视。     

RBCA和Csoil模型在挥发性有机物污染场地健康风险评价中的应用比较

应用美国的RBCA模型和荷兰的Csoil模型对某挥发性有机物污染场地中的2种主要污染物1,2-二氯丙烷和1,2-二氯乙烷进行健康风险评价。结果表明,2种模型计算出的健康风险基本一致,除14号采样点存在潜在的健康风险外,其余各采样点的健康风险均在可接受的范围内。由土壤污染引起的各暴露途径中,直接经口摄入途径引起的健康风险最大,占65%以上;皮肤接触途径次之;呼吸摄入途径最小。在呼吸暴露途径中,室内挥发暴露明显比室外挥发暴露的健康风险大。Csoil模型计算出的所有采样点由地下水暴露途径引起的健康风险都超过土壤,说明由地下水暴露引起的健康风险不容忽视。RBCA模型在考虑地下水暴露途径时仅考虑了饮水摄入这一途径,与RBCA模型相比,Csoil模型在进行健康风险评价时特别考虑了洗澡暴露途径,对于地下水受到污染的场地来说,Csoil模型考虑得更全面,使用Csoil模型进行健康风险评价更具有针对性。     

北京官厅水库有机氯农药分布特征及健康风险评价

为了研究北京官厅水库中有机氯农药（OCPs）对人体产生的潜在健康危害风险,从位于官厅水库、洋河和妫水河的9个采样点采集了水样和沉积物样品,采用气相色谱法对其中的有机氯农药残留状况进行了测定。结果表明,水样中,17种有机氯化合物的总浓度范围为10．06～87．37ng·L^-1,其中六六六（HCHs,即：α—HCH、β-HCH、γ-HCH和δ-HCH）和滴滴涕（DDTs,即：o,p＇-DDT、p,p’-DDT、p,p＇-DDE和p,p＇-DDD）的含量范围分别为3．93～38．94ng·L^-1和3．71～16．03ng·L^-1,官厅水库及其支流水体受到有机氯农药轻度污染,其周边地区农田排放水是水库中农药的重要来源。沉积物中有机氯农药总含量范围为8．48～24．40ng·g^-1,其中HCHs和DDTs的含量高于其他OCPs的含量,其含量范围分别为1．11～7．73ng·L^-1和2．97～10．52ng·g^-1,沉积物中六六六异构体和滴滴涕类似物的含量组成表明这些农药来自环境中的早期残留。利用健康风险评价模型对官厅水库表层水体中的OCPs所致健康风险的评价结果表明,目前官厅水库中有机氯农药类污染物对人体健康的风险处于较低水平。     

鄱阳湖流域溶解态重金属行为特征及健康风险评价

通过测定鄱阳湖流域各断面及入湖口水体溶解态重金属Cu、Zn、Pb和Cr的含量水平,调查了重金属在季节和空间变化下的行为特征,并运用美国环保局推荐的健康风险对其引起的健康风险进行了初步评价。结果表明：鄱阳湖流域不同溶解态重金属季节行为特征差异显著,Cu和Cr主要由人为因素主导,而Zn和Pb受自然因素影响更多;其空间行为特征由开采的矿山分布和人为源释放主导,这在赣江和乐安江表现尤为明显;流域健康风险大小依次为湖区〉信江〉抚河〉赣江〉乐安江〉修河,由化学非致癌物Cu、Zn、Pb引起的健康危害的个人年均风险值远低于国家辐射防护委员会推荐的通过饮水途径最大可接受风险值5.00×10-5a-1,而化学致癌物Cr的健康危害的风险值超出可接受水平,比化学非致癌物高出5～6个数量级,是主要的健康风险污染物,需引起风险决策部门的重视。     

黄河兰州段邻苯二甲酸酯类有机污染物健康风险评价

近年来黄河兰州段的邻苯二甲酸酯类污染日渐严重,为研究黄河兰州段水体中邻苯二甲酸酯类有机污染物对人体产生的潜在健康危害风险,根据黄河兰州段2005年5个采样点水质监测数据,应用美国环境保护局（USEPA）的健康风险评价方法对邻苯二甲酸酯类有机污染物通过饮水和皮肤接触2种途径进入人体的健康风险进行了初步评价。结果表明,黄河兰州段邻苯二甲酸酯类有机污染物的非致癌风险指数值均小于1,其中邻苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基）酯的非致癌风险指数值相对较高,在10-2数量级,偏高于邻苯二甲酸正丁酯。从位于兰州市饮用水水源地范围内的3号采样点（S3）采集的水样中邻苯二甲酸酯类有机污染物的非致癌风险指数值偏高,具有较高的健康风险。不同暴露途径健康风险的对比表明,饮水是水体中有毒有机污染物危害人体健康的最主要途径,其对人体健康总风险的贡献远大于洗浴皮肤暴露。常规的自来水处理工艺不能有效地去除源水中微量PAEs等有机污染物,因此地面水特别是饮用源水PAEs污染具有较大的健康风险。与国内其他地区相比,黄河兰州段邻苯二甲酸酯类有机污染物的非致癌风险亦较高。     

土壤苯污染引起的饮用地下水健康风险评价

由于污染场地所引起的生态环境、食品安全和人体健康问题,污染场地的环境风险评价受到广泛关注。以某水源地油和苯等有机污染调查为依据,利用多介质暴露评价模型(MMSOILS模型),以苯为评价的目标污染物,分析烯烃厂不同分区的土壤苯污染对A地区造成的饮用地下水健康风险。结果表明,研究区4个分区中,裂解装置区的苯污染物释放是A地区地下水污染的主要来源,产生的饮水健康风险值为9.82×10-5,占总风险值的98.8%;而其他三个分区的影响较小;不同分区苯污染对A地区产生的饮水健康总风险值为9.94×10-5,大于美国环境保护署人体健康风险建议值10-6,对人体健康已经产生影响;裂解装置区的土壤苯污染作为饮水健康风险的主要来源,当其浓度值降低至1.32mgkg-1时,才能使其造成的饮水健康风险降低为10-6。     

蔬菜大棚种植区土壤与地下水中典型有机污染物健康风险评价

在对石家庄某蔬菜大棚种植区进行采样测试分析的基础上,针对其表层土壤及地下水有机污染特征,依托美国环保局(U.S.EPA)所提健康风险评价四步法,以菜农为敏感人群,尝试开展蔬菜大棚种植区的健康风险评价工作。在评价过程中,主要考虑经口摄入土壤和饮用地下水两种暴露途径,而鉴于蔬菜大棚内表层土壤与大棚周围表层土壤中污染物种类和含量存在明显差异这一事实,又将经口摄入土壤途径细分为经口摄入大棚内表层土壤和经口摄入大棚外表层土壤。评价结果显示,菜农的非致癌风险和致癌风险目前均处于可接受风险水平;邻苯二甲酸二正丁酯是最主要的非致癌污染物,其非致癌风险贡献率高达84.2%,狄氏剂是最主要的致癌污染物,其致癌风险贡献率为51.35%;饮用地下水途径是最主要的非致癌风险贡献途径,其非致癌风险贡献率高达94.42%;经口摄入棚外表层土壤途径是最主要的致癌风险贡献途径,其致癌风险贡献率为47.14%。     

黄河兰州段多环芳烃类有机污染物健康风险评价

近年来黄河兰州段的多环芳烃污染日渐严重。为研究黄河兰州段水体中多环芳烃类有机污染物对人体产生的潜在健康危害风险,根据黄河兰州段2004年11个采样点水质监测数据,应用美国环境保护局（USEPA）的健康风险评价方法对黄河兰州段多环芳烃类有机污染物通过饮水和皮肤接触途径进入人体的健康风险进行了初步评价。结果表明：黄河兰州段多环芳烃类有机污染物的非致癌风险指数值均小于1,其中萘的非致癌风险指数值在10^-3数量级,偏高于其他污染物。苯并（a）芘的致癌风险指数值在10^-4数量级以下。从位于西固八盘峡的1号采样点（S1）采集的水样中萘的非致癌风险指数值偏高。在所有采样点中,西固八盘峡的1号采样点（S1）污染较重,具有较高的健康风险。与国内其他地区相比,黄河兰州段萘的非致癌风险亦较高。常规的自来水处理工艺不能有效地去除源水中微量PAHs等有机污染物,因此地面水特别是饮用源水PAHs污染具有较大的健康风险。     

宁波土壤中多环芳烃的健康风险评价

以宁波地区土壤中多环芳烃的含量调查结果为基础,采用美国能源部风险评估信息系统的暴露量化方法和美国环保局健康风险评估手册的风险表征方法,评估了土壤中16种多环芳烃对户外劳作者的健康风险。结果表明,宁波户外劳作者由于土壤中多环芳烃引起的平均非致癌危害指数为1.09×10-5,平均致癌风险值为3.17×10-7,可判定对人体健康的危害较小。宁波地区致癌多环芳烃含量最高暴露点致癌风险值为1.45×10-6,没有超过致癌风险水平上限（10-4）,说明致癌风险尚在可接受范围内。多环芳烃中苯并（a）芘对综合致癌风险贡献最大,贡献率高达65.6%,应注意防范土壤中该污染物引起的健康危害。宁波户外劳作者受到的非致癌危害和致癌风险主要由直接摄入途径和皮肤接触途径贡献,两种途径对非致癌危害和致癌风险贡献率分别达到89%和100%,呼吸摄入引起的非致癌危害和致癌风险则相对较小。     

典型地区多介质环境中多氯联苯、镉致癌风险评估

对典型地区多种环境介质土壤(n=151)、地下水(n=9)、大气(可吸入颗粒物(PM10)和气态污染物,n=4)及农作物(蔬菜(n=38)和大米(n=95))进行采样,分析其中多氯联苯(PCBs)和镉(Cd)含量,利用美国EPA致癌风险评估模型评估研究区居民经多种途径接触多种介质引起的PCBs和Cd的致癌暴露剂量和致癌风险.进行致癌风险贡献率分析,筛选出主要的致癌污染物、暴露途径及对致癌风险贡献最大的环境介质.研究结果表明,所调查的环境介质中均存在严重的PCBs、Cd污染,蔬菜和大米中Cd的平均含量分别为我国食品中污染物限量标准的130倍和17倍,地下水中PCBs和Cd超标率均很高,大气中气态PCBs及PM10颗粒态PCBs、Cd含量均高于国内外其他地区的调查结果.致癌暴露剂量评估结果表明PCBs、Cd的总致癌暴露剂量分别为允许摄入量的6.8倍和6.1倍,总致癌风险为1.1×10-3,远高于国内外所规定的可接受致癌风险水平;致癌贡献率分析结果表明经口摄入是研究区居民致癌风险的最主要暴露途径,蔬菜、大米和地下水是该地区最主要的PCBs、Cd致癌风险来源.     

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.     

“绿色革命”以来大气CO2浓度升高对C3作物营养品质的影响

自20世纪60年代"绿色革命"以来,育种技术和农耕技术的发展促进了农作物产量的大幅提升,然而作物的营养品质出现下降趋势。在相似的遗传背景下,大气CO_2浓度升高会使单位体积农作物产品的营养元素含量下降,因此"绿色革命"至今,农作物产品的营养元素下降可能受大气CO_2浓度升高影响。通过植物生长箱模拟"绿色革命"初期和目前的大气CO_2浓度水平(310μmol/mol和400μmol/mol),针对主要C_3作物水稻、小麦和大豆,研究"绿色革命"以来大气CO_2浓度升高对其籽粒的C、N、Fe、Zn元素含量的影响,结果表明:CO_2浓度升高对3种作物籽粒的C元素含量几乎没有影响,变化幅度在±1.5%之间;籽粒的N、Fe、Zn元素含量普遍呈现下降趋势,但均未达到显著水平。     

Potential of wild species for genetic enhancement of some semi-arid food crops

Discovery and incorporation of genes from wild species provide means to sustain crop improvement, particularly when levels of resistance in the cultigens are low and virulent strains of pests and pathogens overcome the host plant resistance. The extent of utilization and the potential of the wild genepool for genetic enhancement were reviewed in five important food crops viz. sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut grown in the semi-arid tropics. Introgression from compatible wild germplasm in the primary gene pool resulted in transfer of new cytoplasmic male sterility systems in pearl millet and pigeonpea, development of high protein, cleistogamous flower and dwarf pigeonpea lines and foliar disease resistant groundnut cultivars. Utilization of wild species in secondary and tertiary gene pools has been generally limited due to sterility, restricted recombination or cross incompatibility. Nevertheless, these species are extremely important as they contain high levels of resistance to several important biotic and abiotic stresses. Several of them, like those belonging to the Parasorghum section and the rhizomatous Arachis species are sources of multiple resistances and hold great promise to sustain crop productivity.     

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.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications     

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.