冬季死猪与猪粪同步堆肥运行效果

为了探明猪粪与死猪同步堆肥在外界低温环境条件下的运行效果及其处理负荷,试验设置双层死猪处理组、单层死猪处理组和无死猪对照组,采用有效体积0.95 m3堆肥箱、供以100 L/(m3·min)的通风率对4.6~21.4 kg保育期死猪进行冬季堆肥处理,每层3头死猪,总质量在28.0~30.0 kg。结果表明:试验期间外界环境日平均温度为-11.2~2.7℃、最低温度为-17.8℃,堆肥箱内温度在试验启动后3~5 d上升到50℃以上,双层死猪和单层死猪处理组的箱内日平均温度超过50℃的天数分别为32和23 d,满足相关国家标准的无害化要求;堆肥6和8周后死猪降解率分别为(93.6±3.5)%和(96.8±0.8)%,死猪仅剩下部分骨骼,单层与多层死猪堆肥的降解率差异不显著,高1 m的堆肥箱中可同时处理两层死猪。因此,将猪粪堆肥的原料制作方法用于死猪堆肥,动物尸体降解需要时间在6~8周,该方法可使猪场的猪粪堆肥与死猪处理同步进行,即使在中国北方也能实现周年运行。     

适量通风显著降低鸡粪好氧堆肥过程中氮素损失

【目的】研究不同通风量对鸡粪好氧堆肥过程中温度、含水率、种子发芽指数 (GI) 及氮素形态转化的影响，以期在达到鸡粪无害化要求的前提下，为减少鸡粪好氧堆肥过程中的氮素损失、提高堆肥成品品质、优化通风曝气工艺参数和节省能耗提供参考。【方法】试验在山东某有机肥厂好氧堆肥车间开展，以鸡粪和稻壳为原料，按照1∶1(质量比) 混合均匀之后作为堆肥初始物料。在间歇性强制通风和翻抛条件下，设置低、中、高3个通风水平，即通风量依次为0.1、0.2和0.3 m3/(m3·min)，好氧堆肥周期为28 天。通过现场定期采样，测定温度、全氮、NH₄+-N、NO₃–-N、pH、含水率和发芽指数等指标，研究不同堆肥阶段各指标的变化和氮素形态的转化。【结果】在整个好氧堆肥周期内，堆体温度呈现先升高后降低的趋势，低、中和高通风量的最高温度分别达到68.3℃、71.8℃和68.6℃，高温 (≥ 50℃) 持续时间均超过12 天，达到了畜禽粪便无害化卫生要求；含水率逐渐下降，各通风量处理分别由最初的63.2%、62.1%和64.5%降低到32.4%、30.1%和29.2%；pH先升高后降低，至好氧堆肥结束时，各通风处理的pH均处于7.5～8.0 之间；种子发芽指数 (GI) 均大于80%，说明经过28 天的好氧堆肥后，三个通风处理条件下的鸡粪堆肥成品均达到了腐熟度要求。NH₄+-N含量均呈现先增长后逐渐降低的趋势；NO₃–-N含量呈现明显的增加趋势；总氮 (TN) 含量在整个好氧堆肥周期内整体上呈现先降低后增加的趋势；经过28 天的好氧堆肥结束之后，低、中、高通风处理的氮素损失率分别为19.8%、20.2%和29.6%，低通风量与中通风量之间差异不显著，高通风量显著高于低通风量和中通风量 (P ≤ 0.05)。【结论】在鸡粪进行好氧堆肥过程中，通风量为0.1、0.2和0.3 m3/(m3·min) 下，堆肥成品均能达到腐熟度和无害化要求，其中采用中通风量0.2 m3/(m3·min) 时的氮素损失较少，且种子发芽指数较高。综合以上指标及实际工厂化运行过程的影响因素，在鸡粪好氧堆肥过程中建议采用的通风量为0.2 m3/(m3·min)。     

通风量对粪渣与树叶共堆肥的影响

为实现园林废物的无害化与资源化并获得合适的通风量,以粪渣与树叶为原料,采用0.08、0.14和0.20 m3/(min·m3) 3个通风量进行了静态好氧堆肥,分析了不同通风量对堆肥过程中的堆体温度、二氧化碳浓度、发芽指数、肥效指标氮磷钾以及重金属质量分数等指标的影响。结果表明：在粪渣与树叶含水率分别为80%和8%左右,粪渣与树叶质量比例为3/1,通风量为0.078、0.14和0.20 m3/(min·m3)时,均可以实现高温好氧堆肥。通风量为0.14 m3/(min·m3)时堆肥效果较佳。所得堆肥产品肥效指标和重金属质量分数均符合国家相应标准。     

病死猪辅热快速好氧发酵工艺参数优化与装备研制

将病死猪、辅料拌合后加入发酵菌种,在50～70℃条件下进行辅热快速好氧发酵处理,可在短时间内将病死猪转化为干颗粒物料。为了优化发酵工艺参数,提高发酵处理质量,该文采用辅热快速好氧发酵试验装置,以猪死胎为原料、麸皮为辅料,选取通风量和温度为试验因素,以产物的总游离氨基酸(free amino acid,FAA)质量分数、含水率、粒度分布和pH值作为试验指标,开展了病死猪辅热快速好氧发酵处理试验。发酵温度选取50、60和70℃3个水平,通风量选取8、9和10 L/(L·min) 3个水平。结果表明,发酵温度60℃、通风量10 L/(L·min)时处理效果最佳。在此基础上,设计并试制了一台处理能力为150kg/批的病死猪辅热快速好氧发酵处理设备,并进行了初步试验。设定通风量为10 L/(L·min),发酵温度为60℃,发酵3d后物料中的FAA质量分数为20.74g/kg,含水率为14%左右,pH值为5.4,88.89%能通过4.75 mm编织筛,未检出大肠杆菌,平均每处理1 kg病死猪的能耗为2.37 kW?h。试验结果表明,试制的装备能在3 d内将冰冻状态的病死猪无害化处理转变为干颗粒物料,处理产物能满足后续有机肥生产的要求。     

猪粪堆肥挥发性有机物的产生规律与影响因素

堆肥是畜禽粪便处理及资源化利用的有效途径,然而堆肥过程中极易产生挥发性有机物(VOCs,volatile organic compounds),引发恶臭问题,并对人体健康带来危害。该研究以猪粪和秸秆为原料,通过堆肥试验,研究了含水率、碳氮比和通风速率等工艺参数对猪粪堆肥过程中主要VOCs产生的影响。研究结果表明:堆肥过程中TVOCs的最高体积分数可达2 000×10~(-6)以上,主要在堆肥升温期产生。二甲二硫、二甲三硫是主要的致臭VOCs,其中,影响二甲二硫排放的主要因素为物料初始含水率,影响二甲三硫排放的主要因素为通风速率。极差及方差分析结果表明,堆肥过程中采用含水率65%,碳氮比30,通风速率0.1 m~3/(min·m~3)可以有效控制VOCs的排放。     

城市污泥与稻草混合堆肥的最佳通风量优化研究

以城市污泥+稻草秸秆混合物料为研究对象,运用好氧堆肥方法,研究不同通风量对污泥堆肥过程的影响,测定了堆肥过程中温度、含水率、有机质含量和种子发芽指数的变化规律,分析了堆肥过程中通风与未通风之间的差异性。结果表明:(1)通风能够有效保证堆料升温和维持高温期,温度高达74.20℃,高温持续时间达到6 d,温度上升速率达到24.03℃/d。(2)通风条件下,含水率呈现先升高,后降低,然后趋于稳定的变化规律。(3)堆肥结束后,各处理有机质含量均达到国家标准。(4)通风能够显著影响种子发芽系数,各处理GI值的大小顺序为3号箱2号箱1号箱4号箱5号箱。当通风量为1.00 m~3/h,高温维持时间最长(6 d),种子发芽指数最高(84.25%),堆肥效果最理想。     

易降解有机质含量对黄瓜秧堆肥腐熟和氮损失的影响

蔬菜废弃物无害化处理,尤其对于集约化蔬菜产地,缺乏适用技术,易污染环境,浪费资源,甚至造成后续安全隐患。为实现蔬菜废弃物的安全高效转化,该试验以黄瓜秧为堆肥主原料,以玉米秸秆、淀粉和尿素为调理剂,在控制混合堆肥物料初始碳氮比为25,物料水分质量分数为60%,总物料质量相同的条件下,分析易降解有机质(除木质纤维素之外的有机质)比例对堆肥腐熟进程和氮素损失的影响。试验设置添加易降解有机质的质量分数分别为27%(T1)、36%(T2)、45%(T3)、51%(T4)4个处理,利用自制密闭式堆肥反应器研究了随堆肥进行,不同处理温度、物料损失、有机质降解和二氧化碳释放、p H值、电导率(electrical conductivity,EC)、发芽率指数(germination index,GI)的变化情况,并同时分析了氨气挥发速率、累积排放量和氮素损失率等。研究结果显示:随着初始混合物料中易降解有机质的增加,堆体的最高温度呈现出先升高后降低的趋势,但根据物料的p H值、EC和GI值判断,易降解有机质比例过高会影响堆肥的腐熟过程,其比例不宜超过45%,其中T3的最高温度最高,高达71.4℃,且有机质减少量和CO2累积排放量最高,表明T3最利于堆肥的起爆反应和无害化目标的实现;然而,易降解有机质的增加会伴随氮素损失,尤其是氨气挥发损失量的增加,其中T3氨气损失累积量最大(380.29 mg),T4的氮素损失率最高(36.01%),即物料中的木质纤维素有利于减少氮素的损失。综上,物料中易降解有机质质量分数为45%最利于堆肥的高温实现,同时对腐熟的影响较小,但氮素损失率高,因此实际生产中可额外添加木质纤维素类膨胀剂,改良物料的物理结构和理化特点,从而在实现高温的基础上减少氮素的损失。     

基于通风频率控制的好氧堆肥评价指标优化研究

采用自动控制的精细化通风系统实现城市污泥减量化、无害化的处理,研究以城市污泥与蘑菇渣为原料,在SIEMENS-PLC自控一体化发酵桶内设计2组处理进行静态好氧堆肥试验,通过改变不同阶段的通风速率和单位时间内通风频率,分析其对堆肥过程的影响。结果表明,在初始堆肥混料含水率为60%±2%时,从氧气消耗、含水量、电导率、种子发芽指数、全氮损失和氨气累积排放量来看,处理1(阶段速率0.1、0.4、0.6、0.3、0.6m~3/h,通风单次15 min/h)堆肥效果较好;综合分析指标间的相关性,确定了第一层级指标(温度、含水量、电导率、pH值)用于简便快速的产业化腐熟度判定。     

生物过滤法去除死猪堆肥排放臭气效果的中试

为研究生物过滤法去除死猪堆肥发酵处理过程产生臭气以及挥发性有机物(volatile organic compounds,VOCs)的可行性,开展了死猪和猪粪混合堆肥试验,分析了死猪堆肥过程臭气浓度特性和VOCs组分特征,对生物过滤法去除臭气中VOCs的工艺关键参数-停留时间进行优化试验。死猪堆肥过程中排放VOCs种类达37种,其中主要致臭组分为三甲胺、二甲基硫、二甲基二硫、二甲基三硫;以腐熟猪粪堆肥作为滤料(添加3%活性污泥),在停留时间为30~100 s的条件下,生物过滤法对死猪堆肥排放臭气去除率达90%以上;停留时间60~100 s的条件下对VOCs中主要致臭组分的去除效率达82.2%~100%,生物过滤法去除死猪堆肥过程臭气浓度和VOCs的优化停留时间为60 s。研究结果能为死猪堆肥发酵过程排放臭气的处理和控制技术进一步研发提供科学依据。     

过磷酸钙添加剂对猪粪堆肥温室气体和氨气减排的作用

为研究不同比例过磷酸钙添加剂对畜禽粪便高温堆肥氨挥发和温室气体减排的作用,该文以猪粪和玉米秸秆为试验材料,以市售过磷酸钙肥料作为添加剂,在发酵仓中(单仓体积1.2m3)进行56d的好氧堆肥试验,监测堆肥过程中的温室气体和氨排放速率及堆体碳、氮损失率。结果表明:在初始物料中添加干质量3.3%～13.2%的过磷酸钙添加剂对减少堆体碳、氮损失,降低温室气体排放均有明显效果,但超过初始物料干质量的9.9%的过磷酸钙添加剂会对堆肥腐熟进程产生显著抑制作用;该试验中添加初始物料干质量3.3%～6.6%分别使堆肥56d的NH3、N2O和CH4排放量减少了24.1%～43.4%、22.2%～27.7%和22.4%～62.9%,总温室气体排放当量减少30%。猪粪和玉米秸秆堆肥中较适宜的过磷酸钙添加量是初始物料干质量的3.3%～6.6%。该文为过磷酸钙添加剂应用于实际堆肥工程提供理论依据。     

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