高效除氨氮异养硝化细菌的分离鉴定及其脱氮条件优化

为去除畜禽粪便好养堆肥过程中产生的氨气,筛选具有高效除氮功能的微生物,该文通过摇瓶连续富集驯化,从垃圾渗滤液处理厂的活性污泥中筛选到1株高效除氨氮菌株Z53,通过形态特征及16Sr RNA基因序列鉴定,确定其为脱氮副球菌(Paracoccus denitrificans),并通过正交试验对其脱氮条件进行优化。试验表明该菌株最适碳源为丁二酸钠,最佳C/N为15;最佳氨氮去除条件为摇床转速160 r/min、250 mL三角瓶装液量为40 mL、温度30℃、pH值为7.0。在此条件下接种1%的菌液,该菌株在11h内将(191.4±0.7)mg/L的氨氮完全去除,平均去除速率为17.4mg/(L·h)。通过氮素形态测定显示该菌株不仅具有异养硝化作用,可将氨态氮氧化为硝态氮,且无亚硝态氮积累;还具有反硝化作用,在好氧条件下消耗硝态氮生成亚硝态氮,硝氮平均去除率为16.8mg/(L·h),在厌氧条件下反硝化作用产生N2,硝氮平均去除率为9.8 mg/(L·h)。该研究体现了菌株Z53有望用于堆肥厂中的生物滴滤装置并高效去除氨氮,从而达到降低氨气污染的目的,具有良好的开发应用前景。     

鸡粪好氧发酵氮转化与相应细菌数量变化规律的研究

为明确鸡粪好氧发酵过程各类氮转化细菌变化及其与氮素转化间的关系,本研究全程测定了氨化、异养亚硝化、异养硝化和好氧反硝化4类细菌数量、有机态氮、氨态氮、硝态氮等含量变化。结果证明,该过程各类氮转化细菌以中温菌居多,最适生长温度35℃。其中,升温段35℃之后,菌数随温度上升而下降;降温段35℃之前,菌数随温度下降而上升。研究的各类氮转化细菌中,氨化细菌最耐热,是高温期发挥作用的主要类群。发酵全程各类氮转化菌数与相应氮素转化量的关系为:升温段,氨化细菌、亚硝化和硝化菌数增加时,氨态氮和硝态氮的增幅较快;此3类菌数降低时,氨态氮和硝态氮的增幅较缓;降温段,氨化细菌数量与氨态氮含量变化之间无相关表现;发酵全程硝态氮含量变化与亚硝化、硝化细菌数量变化呈正偏相关,与反硝化细菌数量变化呈负偏相关。     

人工湿地高效好氧反硝化菌的分离鉴定及反硝化特性研究

从增氧型复合垂直流人工湿地中采集样品,利用间歇曝气法富集好氧反硝化菌,并进行分离纯化,共得到10株好氧反硝化菌。其中编号为B13的菌株在初始硝态氮含量为277.23mg·L-1、碳氮比为5的条件下,24h的硝态氮去除率达92.80%,亚硝态氮积累只有12.57mg·L-1,脱氮速率达到20.58mg·L-·1h-1。16S rDNA序列分析表明,该菌与Pseudomonas stutzeri同源性达100%。选用四因素三水平L（934）正交试验表设计实验,通过测定对硝态氮去除能力和亚硝态氮的积累量,研究碳源、碳氮比（C/N）、pH以及溶解氧含量（DO）4种不同因素对B13号菌株好氧反硝化性能的影响。结果表明,该菌株对硝态氮的去除率最大可达99.88%,几乎没有亚硝态氮积累。对硝态氮去除率影响最大的因素为碳氮比,其次为pH,溶解氧含量和碳源。对应的最优条件是碳源为葡萄糖,碳氮比为10,pH为9,溶解氧含量为1.84～3.57mg·L-1。     

水稻土和菜田添加碳氮后的气态产物排放动态

【目的】动态连续监测添加碳氮底物后各气体产物—O2、 NO、 N2O、 CH4和N2的排放,对土壤碳氮转化过程和气体产生过程做更深入的理解,揭示不同土地利用方式典型红壤的温室气体产生机制。【方法】采集长江中游金井小流域不同土地利用方式稻田和菜地土壤为研究对象,利用全自动连续在线培养检测体系(Robot系统),通过两组试验分别研究土壤碳氮转化过程中各气体产物的动态变化。试验1采用菜地和稻田土壤进行好气培养,设置不施氮对照、 添加40 mg/kg铵态氮、 添加40 mg/kg铵态氮+1%硝化抑制剂、 添加40 mg/kg硝态氮、 添加40 mg/kg硝态氮+1%葡萄糖、 缺氧条件下添加40 mg/kg硝态氮+1%葡萄糖6个处理。试验2采用稻田土壤进行淹水培养,设不施氮对照、 添加40 mg/kg铵态氮、 添加40 mg/kg铵态氮+1%硝化抑制剂、 添加40 mg/kg铵态氮+1%秸秆、 缺氧条件下添加40 mg/kg铵态氮+1%的葡萄糖、 添加40 mg/kg硝态氮、 添加40 mg/kg硝态氮+1%葡萄糖、 缺氧条件下添加40 mg/kg硝态氮+1%葡萄糖8个处理。培养温度均为20℃,土壤水分含量为70% WFPS (土壤孔隙含水量),培养周期为15天。【结果】从菜地和稻田土壤不同碳氮添加处理气态产物及无机氮的动态变化可看出: 1)菜地土壤好气培养初期硝化作用产生了大量N2O; 受低碳和低含水量的限制,反硝化作用较弱。当提供充足碳源和厌氧条件,出现N2O和NO的大量排放。2)在好气稻田和淹水稻田培养过程中,反硝化作用是N2O产生的主要途径。3)稻田土壤中,提供充足碳源和厌氧条件,各气态产物出现的顺序依次是NO、 N2O和N2,与三种气体在反硝化链式反应过程中的生成顺序一致。淹水稻田加铵态氮和碳源处理N2为主要产物,添加硝态氮处理后,N2O成为主要气态产物。当土壤碳源充足时,反硝化过程进行彻底,反硝化产物以终产物(N2)为主。4)在稻田土壤出现厌氧或添加碳源条件下,均检测到大量CH4产生; 且在甲烷产生的同时,NO-3几乎消耗殆尽。【结论】金井小流域典型红壤菜地N2O主要来自于硝化作用,好气和淹水稻田N2O主要来源于反硝化作用; 当碳源充足和厌氧时,菜地及稻田反硝化作用增强; 反硝化产物组成、 产物累积量及出峰顺序与碳源和氧气浓度有关。     

土壤N2O和NO产生机制研究进展

N2O和NO是大气中两种重要的活性氮气体,强烈影响着全球变化和生态环境。土壤是N2O和NO的重要排放源,生物和非生物途径均可产生N2O和NO。本文详细论述了自养硝化、异养硝化、生物反硝化、化学反硝化、硝化细菌反硝化和硝态氮异化还原成铵作用产生N2O和（或）NO的机制,并对研究中存在的一些问题进行了探讨。     

固体碳源填充床反应器反硝化性能的研究

为了优化固体碳源填充床反应器的运行条件,以PLA/PHBV颗粒为碳源和生物膜载体,研究了水力负荷与硝态氮负荷对反应器反硝化性能的影响,并用扫描电镜观察碳源表面生物膜的形态。结果表明,在进水硝态氮浓度为100 mg·L-1,水力负荷为1.71~8.39 m3·m-2·d-1时,反硝化速率呈现先增加后降低的趋势,最大值为40.53 mg·L-1·h-1;随着水力负荷的提高,出水硝态氮浓度逐渐增加,而COD浓度逐渐降低;维持水力负荷在3.54 m3·m-2·d-1以下,可保证反应器的出水满足我国饮用水标准对硝态氮与亚硝态氮浓度的要求;维持水力负荷为5.30 m3·m-2·d-1,反应器的反硝化速率与进水硝态氮负荷线性相关（R2=0.937）,而硝态氮负荷对出水的COD浓度未发生明显影响;维持进水硝态氮负荷不高于0.16 kg·m-2·d-1,可保证反应器出水的硝态氮与亚硝态氮浓度满足国家标准。通过扫描电镜照片可以看出,PLA/PHBV颗粒表面的生物膜以球菌和杆菌为主,成簇定植在碳源颗粒表面。     

利用上流式双层厌氧滤器启动厌氧氨氧化研究

厌氧氨氧化是一种高效的脱氮处理工艺,但其启动和运行过程困难,高效反应器是解决此问题的有效手段。本文利用改进的上流式双层厌氧滤器开展厌氧氨氧化启动反应的试验研究。在反应器填料上分别接种反硝化污泥、厌氧污泥、混合污泥,通过模拟废水提供自养反硝化条件,并逐步提高基质浓度和水力负荷,促使菌群向厌氧氨氧化反应转变。试验发现,反硝化污泥、厌氧污泥、混合污泥均可启动厌氧氨氧化反应,启动时间分别为42、54 d和45 d。以反硝化污泥为接种物的启动效果最好,启动时间较短且废水氮素去除率高,总氮去除率最高达到82.2%。双层填料的反应器有效提高了厌氧氨氧化的稳定性,该反应器中厌氧氨氧化菌对氨氮、亚硝氮的适宜浓度负荷为270、360 mg·L~(-1),废水中COD浓度不宜超过150 mg·L~(-1),系统中存在厌氧氨氧化和甲烷化共存的效应。     

氮素形态对中后期小麦根际土壤氮转化微生物及酶活性的影响

采用盆栽方法研究了硝态氮、铵态氮和酰胺态氮对豫麦34不同生育期根际土壤氮素转化相关微生物及酶活性的影响。结果表明,土壤氮素转化不同微生物生理类群活性及酶活性差异显著,其活性大小顺序为:反硝化细菌硝化细菌脲酶蛋白酶亚硝化细菌氨化细菌。反硝化细菌、硝化细菌、蛋白酶、亚硝化细菌及氨化细菌活性从拔节期开始逐渐升高,于花后14天达到最大值,之后开始下降;脲酶活性在拔节期最高,逐渐降低,至花后14天最低,之后又略有回升。氮素形态对小麦根际土壤氮素转化微生物及酶活性的影响因生育期、微生物生理类群而异。综合比较分析表明,铵态氮促进土壤有机氮的分解利用,促进氨转化为NO3-,抑制反硝化作用引起的氮素损失,酰胺态氮次之,硝态氮最差。     

丛枝菌根真菌调控土壤氧化亚氮排放的机制

氮素是陆地生态系统初级生产力的主要限制因子,自Haber-Bosch反应以来,氮肥的生产和施用极大地提高了粮食产量。然而过量施用氮肥导致氮肥利用率低,并造成了严重的环境污染,包括氮沉降、硝态氮淋洗以及N₂O排放等。微生物直接参与土壤氮素循环,固氮微生物、氨氧化和反硝化微生物分别在土壤固氮、铵态氮转化和硝态氮转化过程中起着重要作用。作为一类共生微生物,丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi,AMF)在土壤氮素循环中的作用日益引起人们的重视。最新的研究表明,AMF显著影响土壤硝化、反硝化过程以及N₂O排放过程。本文重点阐述了菌根真菌对N₂O排放的影响并对其作用机制进行了总结。菌根真菌主要通过三个途径实现N₂O减排:(I)影响氨氧化微生物活性,降低了氨氧化过程中产生的N₂O;(II)菌丝分泌物缓解了N2O还原酶在电子竞争中的劣势,促进完全反硝化过程(N₂O→N₂);(III)促进宿主植物吸收土壤氮素,降低氮素有效性,并减少N₂O排放。在农业生产中可以通过强化土著菌根真菌实现N₂O减排,为应用菌根真菌提高氮素利用效率、调控土壤N2O排放和氮循环过程提供科学依据。     

应重视硝态氮同化过程在降低土壤硝酸盐浓度中的作用

在保证生产力条件下,采取合理的氮肥管理措施降低土壤硝态氮浓度对降低氮污染至关重要。当前,应用硝化抑制剂能够有效延缓铵态氮的硝化速率,进而降低土壤硝态氮淋溶损失和氮氧化物排放,但是其缺点显而易见:促进氨挥发并引起硝化抑制剂污染。好氧条件下,土壤硝态氮净变化量取决于产生(硝化)和消耗(硝态氮同化)的量。但是,一直以来,受微生物优先利用铵态氮这一传统观点的影响,人们普遍认为农田土壤微生物较少利用硝态氮,很大程度上忽视了对硝态氮同化过程的研究。该过程独具优势,它将硝态氮转变为微生物生物量氮进行短期储存并发生再矿化,具有保氮功能且环境友好。加入特定的碳源可以提高硝态氮同化这已是不争的事实,未来应加强硝态氮同化降低土壤硝酸盐累积方面的研究:(1)外源碳影响硝态氮同化的微生物驱动机制是什么?(2)怎样才能操控硝态氮同化和再矿化过程,使得作物氮需求和土壤氮供应相匹配,进而降低氮损失?(3)在碳源充足的条件下,反硝化作用亦会增强,如何才能做到在提高硝态氮同化的同时避免反硝化氮损失?     

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