小兴安岭森林沼泽湿地土地利用变化对土壤活性碳组分的影响

[目的]以小兴安岭森林沼泽为研究对象,研究湿地经过人类活动开垦为农田,和排水造林,以及弃耕地的土壤活性碳组分,为深入了解土壤活性碳组分动态变化及其可能影响全球变暖的机制研究提供科学依据。[方法]选择小兴安岭森林沼泽湿地4种土地利用方式(天然沼泽、排水湿地、弃耕地、农田)为研究对象,在野外调查和室内分析的基础上,对比分析土壤有机碳(SOC)、溶解性有机碳(DOC)、微生物碳(MBC)、易氧化碳(EOC)、轻组有机碳(LFOC)、颗粒有机碳(POC)的含量变化和比例关系,并用相关分析法分析土壤有机碳各活性组分之间的关系。[结果]不同土地利用方式土壤有机碳含量随土层深度增加而降低,总体上,在土壤剖面上,天然沼泽的SOC含量大于其他土地利用方式,其他3种土地利用方式之间差异不显著(p0.05)。不同土地利用方式下土壤活性碳组分(DOC,MBC,EOC,POC,LFOC)含量在垂直分布上均呈现出随土壤深度的增加而降低的趋势,土壤活性碳组分含量顺序总体上呈:天然沼泽排水湿地弃耕地农田。4种土地利用类型土壤DOC占SOC的比例,在垂直剖面上,无明显规律变化。土壤SOC含量与DOC,MBC,EOC,POC,LFOC之间的相关性均达到显著水平(p0.05)。土壤DOC和MBC之间呈显著性正相关(p0.05),LFOC和POC之间呈极显著性正相关(p0.05),EOC与其他活性碳组分相关性均不显著(p0.05)。[结论]土地利用变化会对小兴安岭森林沼泽土壤活性碳组分产生影响,应该合理开发小兴安岭森林沼泽湿地。     

我国东北寒温带湿地土壤碳氮分布及相关性

以东北寒温带不同纬度典型湿地土壤碳氮分布关系为研究对象,遴选漠河湿地、洪河湿地及七星河湿地进行土壤样品的调查采集并进行土壤碳氮分布相关分析,通过构建不同纬度沼泽湿地土壤碳氮含量垂直分布结构,考察不同湿地不同植被类型土壤碳氮分布规律及土壤对植被生长状况的影响。结果表明:土壤氨氮及硝态氮在土壤垂直分布中有明显的表聚现象,含量随土壤深度的增加呈明显下降趋势;七星河湿地及洪河湿地土壤碳氮含量呈显著的线性相关关系,而漠河湿地土壤碳氮含量相关性不显著。本研究通过对东北寒温带不同纬度沼泽湿地土壤碳氮含量分布的研究,旨在对全球沼泽湿地氮循环的研究提供一定的参考作用。     

基于GIS技术的佳木斯地区农田开垦对表层土壤有机碳储量的影响

基于GIS技术,利用1980年和2010年佳木斯表层(0—30cm)土壤有机碳数据,研究不同农田开垦方式对表层土壤有机碳储量和空间分布的影响。结果表明:30年来佳木斯地区表层土壤有机碳储量呈现减少趋势,从1980年土壤有机碳库350.68Tg C减少到2010年的299.58Tg C,主要减少分布在东北地区和南部地区。30年来耕地面积增加了6 790.44km2,农田开垦(沼泽湿地、林地、草地)是影响土壤有机碳储量和时空变化的主要原因,而沼泽湿地的开垦导致储量变化最大,沼泽湿地开垦土壤有机碳年变化率为107.21tC/(km2·a)。农田开垦成旱田要比水田对土壤有机碳损失影响大,农田开垦是造成有机碳储量下降的原因。     

沼泽湿地开垦对土壤水热条件和性质的影响

湿地具有重要的生态和环境功能.三江平原沼泽湿地的大面积垦殖,已对区域生态平衡及气候环境产生了一定的影响.湿地开垦后,土壤水、热条件发生较大变化,土壤温度的增高及氧化-还原条件的改变,促进了土壤有机质的分解和土壤呼吸通量的增大.土壤有机碳、氮素含量随湿地开垦及开垦年限的增加而不断降低.沼泽湿地开垦初期5～7年,土壤有机碳及其它营养元素的含量变化幅度较大,持续耕作15～20年后,土壤有机碳损失曲线趋于平缓.湿地开垦后,土壤有机质输入量的减少及分解作用加强导致土壤容重和比重的增大,其变化趋势与土壤有机碳损失趋势相一致.     

三江平原不同土地利用方式下土壤有机碳的动态变化

以三江平原不同开垦年限的水田及旱地为研究对象,并以沼泽化草甸和天然林地为对照,分层采集土样,测定其土壤有机C含量、pH值及全N含量。在此基础上借助SPSS软件和统计分析技术,探讨了不同土地利用类型各层土壤中有机C含量的垂直分布特征及其与pH值、N素的相关关系。结果表明:土壤有机C的垂直分布随土壤深度和土地利用类型的变化而变化;与沼泽化草甸相比,开垦10年和25年的水田表层土壤有机C含量分别减少49.3%(P<0.01)和14.3%(P<0.05),开垦5年和18年的旱地表层土壤总有机C量比对照分别减少81.9%(P<0.01)和68.3%(P<0.01);林地及开垦18年的旱地土壤pH值均与土壤有机C含量呈显著负相关,相关系数分别为-0.578(P<0.05)和-0.965(P<0.01);农田开垦前后,土壤有机C含量与全N含量呈显著正相关,相关系数均在0.580(P<0.05)以上。     

华北土石山区油松和元宝枫人工林土壤有机碳特征

森林生态系统土壤有机碳的储量及时空变化是制定森林生态系统可持续经营管理措施的重要依据,对全球碳循环与碳平衡的研究具有十分重要的理论价值.以华北土石山区不同密度油松和元宝枫人工林为研究对象,对不同林地类型的土壤密度、pH值以及全氮、速效钾、有机碳的质量分数等参数进行测定,对比分析不同林地类型土壤有机碳的质量分数、土壤有机碳密度、储量及垂直分布特征,探讨土壤有机碳质量分数与土壤理化性状的相关关系.结果表明:元宝枫林的平均土壤有机碳质量分数和有机碳密度均大于油松林的;土壤有机碳质量分数和有机碳密度在土壤表层(0 ～ 10 cm)为最高值并随土壤深度的增加而降低;土壤有机碳质量分数表现为2种林分密度下的元宝枫林无显著差异,而有机碳密度则表现为高密度元宝枫林＞低密度元宝枫林;在油松林中土壤有机碳质量分数、有机碳密度均表现为中密度油松林＞高密度油松林和低密度油松林.油松林和元宝枫林土壤有机碳质量分数与土壤密度均呈显著负相关,而全氮、速效钾与其呈显著正相关,油松林土壤有机碳质量分数与pH值呈显著相关,而元宝枫林土壤有机碳质量分数与pH值不相关.综上所述,华北土石山区元宝枫林较油松林具有更大的固碳潜力,而且土壤的有机碳质量分数及有机碳密度受树种和林分密度影响较大.     

毛乌素退化湿地土壤生源要素垂直分布特征

以毛乌素退化湿地为研究对象,采集芦苇滩地、灌草地、沙地3个不同退化时期9个土壤剖面样本,研究土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷垂直分布,并进行有机碳-全磷、有机碳-全氮Pearson相关性分析和Spearman秩相关分析。结果表明:不同类型退化湿地土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷含量差异明显,随土层深度增加含量减少,并呈现分层特征。研究发现,在土壤剖面深度100cm左右且有黑色泥炭层存在情况下,有机碳、全氮、全磷含量增加。样地土壤有机碳与全氮呈显性线性相关(R=0.989),Spearman秩相关系数为0.944。样地土壤有机碳与全磷呈显性线性相关(R=0.938),Spearman秩相关系数为0.698。     

不同土地利用方式对三江平原湿地土壤酶分布特征及相关肥力因子的影响

以中国科学院三江平原湿地生态试验站为对象,研究了不同利用方式(湿地草甸、旱田系统、退耕成草、退耕成林)对土壤酶分布特征及相关肥力因子的影响.结果表明:土壤利用方式不同,土壤酶活性(转化酶、脲酶、磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶)、有机碳含量和土壤养分含量有较大差异.未开垦的湿地草甸,土壤酶活性、有机碳和土壤养分含量均为最高,开垦20年后,上述各种指标含量均有较大幅度降低;由耕地恢复为湿地后,土壤酶活性、有机碳和土壤养分含量有较大幅度的回升,而耕地恢复为林地后,上述各种成分也有不同程度地增加.因此,要保持三江平原湿地较高的土壤肥力和生物学特性,维持三江平原湿地土壤有机碳库稳定,对已开垦湿地进行部分退耕还湿势在必行.     

土地利用对沼泽湿地土壤碳影响的研究

以三江平原分布最广泛的两种自然沼泽湿地(毛果苔草沼泽和小叶章草甸)以及不同利用类型土地为研究对象,探讨了土地利用变化对三江平原沼泽湿地土壤碳含量的影响.结果表明,沼泽湿地土壤中碳含量主要受地表积水环境的控制.表现为常年积水的毛果苔草沼泽高于季节性积水的小叶章草甸,毛果苔草沼泽土壤总碳(TC)、有机碳(SOC)、无机碳(SIC)及可溶性有机碳(DOC)含量分别为(258.4±81.9)g/kg.(203.7±62.4)g/kg,(54.7±19.4)g/kg和(4.8±0.85)g/kg.小叶章草甸土壤则分别为(99.4±24.2)g/kg,(81.4±24.5)g/kg,(17.9±9.8)g/kg和(2.4±0.27)g/kg.垦殖导致沼泽湿地土壤碳含量显著降低,土壤TC及SOC含量随开垦年限的增加而递减,并与垦殖年限呈极显著负相关关系.沼泽湿地退化后,土壤碳含量降低.小叶章草甸退化为小叶章一杂类草草甸后土壤TC,SOC,SIC及DOC分别减少了71%,72%,67%和76%,毛果苔草沼泽退化为灌丛-杂类草草甸后则分别减少了69%,65%,83%和60%."退耕还湿"能提高土壤中的碳含量,但增加速率较慢.土壤pH值是影响土壤碳含量的一个重要因素.     

小兴安岭不同土地利用方式下的土壤DOC化学光谱特性

在小兴安岭地区选取天然沼泽(兴安落叶松沼泽)、排水造林40a的人工林湿地、由湿地开垦40a的农田、湿地垦殖后弃耕地(弃耕40a)4种样地,研究小兴安岭不同土地利用方式土壤溶解性有机碳(DOC)化学光谱特性。结果表明,在垂直剖面上,排水造林湿地、农田、弃耕地以及天然沼泽的土壤DOC含量均从表层向下逐渐减少,在土壤表层0—10cm,DOC含量关系为:天然沼泽排水造林湿地弃耕地农田(p0.05),在其他深度上,差异不显著(p0.05)。DOC化学光谱特性表现为DOC中芳香族类化合物(SUVA254)、DOC中腐殖质所占比列(C/C)、DOC中腐殖酸与富里酸比例(E4/E6),在垂直剖面上逐渐递增。总体上,DOC化学光谱特性大小关系为:天然沼泽弃耕地排水造林湿地农田。4种土地利用类型土壤SOC的含量均随着土壤深度的增加而出现逐渐递减的规律,在垂直剖面上,天然沼泽SOC的含量大于其他土地利用方式。4种类型土壤DOC占SOC的比例(DOC/SOC)在垂直剖面上无明显变化规律。天然沼泽湿地DOC/SOC只在土壤表层大于其他土地利用方式(p0.05)。     

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