花生播种机内侧充种式排种器的性能试验

摘要：为了将内充种式排种器应用到花生播种机上,该文对内侧充种式排种器进行试验研究。试验基于JPS-12型排种器试验台,采用单因素试验和多因素多水平试验相结合的方法,分别研究排种轴转速、投种高度和种子尺寸对排种器性能的影响。性能指标选定穴距合格率、双粒率、单粒率、重播率、漏播率、破损率。对试验结果进行方差分析,确定排种盘转速在30 r/min,投种高度在25 cm,花生品种为丰花5号时,排种性能达到最优值（穴距合格率为96.12%,双粒率为96.36%,单粒率为0.91%,重播率为1.82%,漏播率为0.91%,破损率为0.35%）。该研究为高效花生播种机的设计提供依据。     

辅助充种种盘玉米气吸式高速精量排种器设计

针对气吸式玉米精密排种器工作速度提高时充种效果不佳,从而导致作业漏播严重、风压需求量大等问题,设计了一种具有辅助充种作用种盘的玉米气吸式高速精量排种器。该排种器在充种区能够利用型孔凸台扰动种群和托持种子,起到辅助充种作用;在卸种区种子能够在型孔凸台推动力和卸种轮顶出力的作用下均匀排种。分析了排种器的工作区域,计算了排种器关键结构参数。运用EDEM(engineering discrete element method)软件仿真分析了不同种盘对种群的扰动情况,选取种群颗粒距种盘的平均距离、种群的平均速度、不同角速度下平均速度均值3个指标,得出所设计种盘能够有效增强种群离散程度,起到扰种的作用。加工试制了仿真所用的4种种盘,以速度、风压、种盘为因素,进行了3因素正交试验,通过极差分析和方差分析,确定了影响合格指数、重播指数、漏播指数的关键因素,并选取效果较好的种盘进行回归分析,通过回归方程得出所设计排种器在8、10、12、14 km/h作业速度下的最佳作业参数,并进行了试验验证。结果表明:所设计的排种器能够有效提高合格指数,降低高速作业漏播指数,在作业速度8～14 km/h时,风压为-3.21～-3.71 kPa之间时,合格指数均能达到91.3%以上,漏播指数均小于5.1%,重播指数均小于3.6%,各项指标优于国标要求,能实现有效排种。     

蔬菜气吸轮式精量排种器设计与试验

蔬菜类型多,种子尺寸差异大,为扩大排种器的适用范围,该研究提出一种基于扰种条辅助充种的蔬菜气吸轮式精量排种器。通过理论分析确定了排种器的关键结构参数,设计了一种带有坡度的扰种条结构,最薄处厚度为0.5 mm、最厚处厚度为1.0mm,并对充种阶段种子在扰种条上和清种阶段的受力情况分别进行分析,确定了扰种条和清种装置结构。选取菜心、萝卜和辣椒种子为试验对象,利用台架试验获得扰种条倾角和厚度的较优值;开展较优结构参数下的排种器充种性能试验,以工作负压、排种转速和清种距离为试验因素,进行三因素三水平正交试验。试验结果表明,对于菜心种子,工作负压为0.92 kPa,排种转速为13.3 r/min,清种距离为0.70 mm时,充种合格率为99.20%,漏吸率为0.13%;对于萝卜种子,工作负压为4.47 kPa,排种转速为25.5r/min,清种距离为1.20mm时,充种合格率为97.34%,漏吸率0.53%;对于辣椒种子,工作负压为1.49 kPa,排种转速为16.9 r/min,清种距离为0.69 mm时,充种合格率为88.27%,漏吸率为2.67%,满足菜心、萝卜、辣椒的种植农艺要求,研究结...     

基于离散单元法的水平圆盘式精量排种器排种仿真试验

为了优化水平圆盘式精量排种器的最佳排种性能参数(动排种盘转速、动排种盘厚度、型孔圆角半径),达到提高粒距合格指数、降低漏播和重播指数指标,并降低大田试验强度。该文基于离散单元法对根据全膜双垄沟播技术所设计的水平圆盘式精量排种器进行了排种数值模拟,并得到玉米籽粒模型排种、重播、漏播的形成过程;为提高其排种性能,进行了排种仿真试验。仿真结果表明:以合格指数较高为重点、兼顾重播指数和漏播指数较低的原则,确定了动排种盘转速为17 r/min、动排种盘厚度为6 mm、型孔上边倒圆角半径为1 mm时为较优组合,此时粒距合格指数S=97.05%、重播指数D=1.83%、漏播指数M=1.12%。田间验证试验表明:在上述条件下,测得粒距合格指数为S=95.13%,重播指数D=2.34%,漏播指数M=2.53%,重点指标粒距合格指数误差2.02%(5%)。因此,基于离散单元法的排种器仿真试验为排种器性能参数的确定提供参考。     

侧正压玉米排种器的设计与试验

为了实现玉米精量播种,该文设计了一套侧正压排种器,分析了排种器的工作原理,并对排种过程动力学进行了研究;对影响排种器性能的基本因素进行了均匀设计试验,并且分别对排种性能3个指标建立了回归数学模型。试验结果表明,排种盘转速对播种合格指数和漏播指数影响最显著,充种型孔尺寸对重播指数影响最显著,风机压力对排种指标有影响但影响不显著,风机压力达到1.2 kPa,排种盘转速18 r/min,充种型孔宽度11 mm时,既能够满足播种要求。通过种子分级试验,分级后排种性能指标显著改善,合格指数达到了89.36%,漏播指数降至4.26%。本文所设计的侧正压排种器为气力式精量播种机提供了一种新的参考。     

侧正压玉米排种器的设计与试验

为了实现玉米精量播种,该文设计了一套侧正压排种器,分析了排种器的工作原理,并对排种过程动力学进行了研究;对影响排种器性能的基本因素进行了均匀设计试验,并且分别对排种性能3个指标建立了回归数学模型。试验结果表明,排种盘转速对播种合格指数和漏播指数影响最显著,充种型孔尺寸对重播指数影响最显著,风机压力对排种指标有影响但影响不显著,风机压力达到1.2 k Pa,排种盘转速18 r/min,充种型孔宽度11 mm时,既能够满足播种要求。通过种子分级试验,分级后排种性能指标显著改善,合格指数达到了89.36%,漏播指数降至4.26%。本文所设计的侧正压排种器为气力式精量播种机提供了一种新的参考。     

油菜小麦兼用排种盘的排种器充种性能

油菜、小麦籽粒物理机械特性差异大,该文针对前期研究中油菜小麦气力式精量排种器结构中,需对不同类型种子更换排种盘的缺陷,研制了一种兼用型内嵌入导种条式排种盘及其型孔结构,以实现油菜小麦气力式精量排种器兼用。开展了其充种阶段内嵌入导种条上强制带动层种子的运动轨迹及充种区种子充填角的解析,构建了充种区强制带动层种子的力学模型;并结合高速摄像技术,分析阐明了充种区种子层的流动特性,试验研究了充种区油菜、小麦充填角与充种性能、内嵌入导种条对种子机械损伤。研究结果表明:转速范围为10~45 r/min时,排种器充种区种子充填角与转速线性相关,内嵌入导种条时的油菜、小麦充种角随转速的变化率值分别为1.6635、1.9929,相对无导种条式排种器,充填角平均增量分别为10.1°、13.45°,充填弧长平均增量分别为12.29、16.48 mm,充种性能明显提高;发芽率试验表明,排种盘内嵌入导种条对种子无机械损伤。排种器性能试验结果表明:吸种负压为-2 900 Pa、排种盘内嵌入导种条可使小麦排种的平均合格指数相对提高30.76%,漏播指数相对降低38.61%;吸种负压为-900 Pa、投种正压为500 Pa时,排种盘内嵌入导种条可使油菜排种的平均合格指数相对提高3.72%,漏播指数相对降低8.58%;在转速为20~30 r/min时,排种性能均能满足油菜小麦兼用精量播种的要求。该研究可为兼用型精量排种器结构改进及性能优化提供研究依据。     

气吸式杂交稻单粒排种器研制

针对气力式水稻精量排种器充种不稳定、单粒播种精度不高和播种量大的问题,该研究设计了一种具有矩形吸种孔和辅助充种装置的气吸式杂交稻单粒排种器。根据“吉田优”型杂交稻的长短轴重力分布情况,确定排种盘吸种孔形状;基于CFD-DEM(Computational fluid dynamics, Discrete element method)流固耦合理论,以吸附力为指标,进行5类具有相同面积的吸种孔单因素仿真试验,确定吸附力最大的吸种孔规格为0.8 mm×2.25 mm;以该型吸种孔为基础,选取辅助充种角、工作转速和工作负压为试验因素,以单粒率S、多粒率M和漏播率L为试验指标,开展Box-Bhnken台架试验,对试验结果进行响应曲面分析和多目标优化,得到排种盘辅助充种角为80.90°、工作转速为42.65 r/min、工作负压为621 Pa时,排种器的单粒率为86.91%,漏播率为3.63%。验证试验结果的排种器单粒率为86.36%、漏播率为3.41%,与优化结果吻合。研究结果可为后续气吸式杂交稻单粒排种器的优化设计和直播机整机作业精度的提高提供指导。     

气吸滚筒式花生穴播器投种性能分析与试验

针对气吸滚筒式花生穴播器投种过程中种子不能准确落入导种机构而造成漏播、重播的问题,该研究提出了一种通过调整穴播器盖边缘开口位置和导种机构安装角度的方法寻求最佳投种轨迹,对种子脱离穴播器盖进入导种机构阶段建立动力学模型,明确了投种轨迹变化机理,确定了穴播器盖和导种机构的安装参数。借助EDEM仿真软件研究了穴播器盖和导种机构在不同安装角度下的投种性能,得出种子在与分种盘挡片接触状态下脱离穴播器盖边缘的投种性能最佳。选取穴播器盖安装角度、导种机构安装角度和机具前进速度为试验因素,以排种粒距合格率、漏播率、重播率为试验指标,在排种试验台上进行三因素三水平组合试验。结果表明：在穴播器盖安装角为17.10°、导种机构安装角为11.18°、机具前进速度为3.85 km/h的条件下投种性能最优,此时排种粒距合格率为95.37%。田间试验结果表明,调节穴播器盖安装角为17.10°、导种机构安装角11.18°,机具前进速度在3.05～4.65 km/h范围内,试验结果与台架试验结果基本相符,排种粒距合格率大于89%、漏播率小于7%,重播率小于5%,满足花生单粒精量播种要求。     

勺夹式花生小区单粒精量播种单体设计与试验

针对花生小区播种机播种尺寸差异较大种子时存在适应性差、单粒精播粒距合格率低等问题,该研究设计了一种基于STM32单片机控制的勺夹式花生小区单粒精量播种单体。采用先充种后投种的模式,利用夹持空间可调节的勺夹式排种器向双格盘播种总成内单粒排种,由STM32单片机控制光电传感器、增量式编码器以及步进电机等元件,实现有序充种和投种。根据播种时花生种子的运动轨迹,确定影响机具作业性能的主要参数为机具作业速度和投种口离地高度。以提高单粒精播粒距合格率,降低播种漏播率、重播率、破损率为目标,对机具作业参数进行单因素与双因素数值模拟分析,探究了机具作业速度、投种口离地高度以及二者交互作用对播种性能的影响。试验结果表明,机具作业速度0.9 m/s、投种口离地高度15 cm时的播种效果最佳：粒距合格率为96.20%、重播率为2.97%、破损率为0.50%、漏播率为0.33%,整机通过性和适用性良好,能够满足小区育种试验要求。该研究可为花生小区精量播种技术研发提供参考。     

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