油菜精量排种器变量补种系统设计与试验

针对油菜精量排种器的漏播问题,该文设计了油菜精量排种器变量补种系统。该补种系统由漏播检测装置、排种盘测速装置、变量补种装置及补种监测显示装置组成,各装置间指令和数据采用无线方式进行有序实时传输。漏播检测装置采用压电原理感应排种种子流序列,并利用MSP430单片机时间捕获中断功能实时采集排种种子流时间间隔序列和周期内排种数序列,接收排种盘测速装置测得的理论排种频率并确定检测周期,结合基于时变窗口的漏播实时检测方法计算漏播系数等参数,并根据变量补种策略获得对应补种转速,将其发送至变量补种装置及补种监测显示装置。变量补种装置由螺管式补种器、直流减速电机、单片机控制系统、PWM(pulse-width modulation)电机驱动系统、无线模块和电源组成,接收补种转速指令,并通过对应的占空比驱动电机实现变量补种。补种监测显示装置滚动刷新显示最近10个检测周期的漏播补种参数,便于对变量补种系统调试及监测系统运行状态。变量补种系统试验表明:在正常播种速率范围内,补种装置补种量与排种器当量漏播量比值稳定在1.2~1.4,补种后无漏播存在。该变量补种系统可为油菜等小粒径种子漏播补种技术与装置提供有效支撑。     

油菜宽幅播种作业监测系统设计与试验

针对油菜宽幅播种作业过程中播量监测与漏播检测的问题,该研究设计了一种适用于宽幅播种的油菜播种监测系统。该监测系统由播种监测终端与种子流传感检测模块构成,可通过改变连接种子流传感检测模块的数量,适配不同作业幅宽的播种机。种子流传感检测模块将种子穿过感应面生成的单脉冲排种信号并传递给播种监测终端;播种监测终端利用I2C总线对端口扩展用于接收多路油菜种子的排种信号,并生成油菜排种过程的多路种子流排种时间间隔序列,用于实现各行播量、排种频率的计量,并依据相关国家标准对播种作业进行漏播判定。在播种监测终端内构建MariaDB服务器用于对播量、排种频率和漏播状态等播种状态信息进行实时存储、管理,为田间管理与处方作业提供支持。播种监测系统的台架试验表明,在排种频率不高于32.73 Hz时,播量监测的准确率不低于97%,满足播种监测的准确性要求;在排种器不产生严重漏播(漏播指数≤15%)时,漏播指数检测值与高精度的视觉检测试验台的最大偏差为2.21个百分点。结果表明播种监测系统对油菜播种的播种监测与漏播检测的准确性满足使用要求。田间试验表明针对油菜播种的田间播种播量监测准确率不低于96.5%,监测系统在田间作业环境下可稳定工作。该油菜播种监测系统为油菜播种的作业质量评价提供了技术支持。     

油菜籽漏播螺管式补种器设计与试验

针对油菜籽气力式精量排种器产生的漏播补种问题,设计了螺管式补种器并建立了补种器工作转速与漏播系数的关系模型。确定了螺管式补种器工作原理及主要结构参数,运用EDEM(discrete element method,离散元法)仿真对螺管式补种器模型和3D打印试制的螺管式补种器分别开展排种量与转速关系的试验研究。试验结果表明:螺管数量为7的螺管式补种器工作转速在25~180 r/min时,其排种量与转速线性相关系数为0.99,每个螺管当量排种量为1.7~1.9粒,当量排种稳定变异系数≤6%,排种破损率0.5%,螺孔无堵塞。利用该螺管式补种器排种量与转速特性,结合基于时变窗口的漏播实时检测方法,建立了螺管式补种器工作转速与漏播系数的关系模型,在当前时间窗口内实现了变量补种。在40型孔油菜籽气力式精量排种器漏播实时检测与自补种一体化的试验研究表明:精量排种器转速在15~30 r/min范围内不同漏播状态下,漏播自补种系统在当前时间窗口内能够实现变量补种,漏播补种率达100%,补种后粒距漏播指数为0,消除了漏播的发生。该研究可为油菜等小粒径种子精量排种器产生的漏播进行补种,为提高精量播种机的播种质量与效率提供参考。     

油菜精量排种器种子流传感装置设计与试验

针对油菜精量播种过程中缺乏小粒径种子流传感而导致播量监测困难的问题,设计了一种油菜精量排种器种子流传感装置。运用高速摄影技术及碰撞动力学模型,记录并分析油菜种子与聚偏氟乙烯压电薄膜的碰撞轨迹,为传感装置的导管、压电薄膜倾角、出种口位置等关键结构参数提供依据。基于油菜种子与压电薄膜的碰撞信号特征分析,设计了沉槽基板-压电薄膜感应结构,将碰撞信号的衰减时间从9缩短至1 ms,提高了对高频种子流检测的时间分辨率,同时能够有效抵抗机械振动带来的干扰影响。对微弱碰撞信号进行放大、半波整流、电压比较、单稳态触发转化为单脉冲信号,通过单片机定时计数采集处理,实现油菜种子流排种频率与排种总量的实时检测,并利用无线收发模块定时发送给监测显示终端,实现播量数据的实时显示与保存。油菜精量排种器台架及数粒仪高频排种试验表明:在排种频率8.1~32.9 Hz范围内,检测准确率不低于99.5%。田间播种试验表明传感装置能够实时检测精量排种器的排种频率与排种总量,在无排种时计数为零,正常播种状态时检测准确率不低于99.1%,机械振动及粉尘对传感装置没有影响。该传感装置为油菜精量播种过程播量监测、漏播检测以及补种提供有效支撑。     

薄面光折射式小麦种子流多通道并行检测装置设计与试验

针对小麦高速播种作业过程中高频排种种子流精准检测困难的问题，该研究设计了一套薄面光折射式小麦种子流多通道并行检测装置。基于将高通量变为低通量多通道并行同步检测的思路，设计了种子流分流结构。根据小麦种子物理特性，在已有传感原理的基础上，提出了一种"LED灯珠+窄缝"产生薄面光层，结合凸透镜折射原理扩大有效检测面积的方法，通过光路分析和窄缝尺寸分析确定了凸透镜焦距、薄面LED窄缝尺寸及传感元器件关键参数。利用多通道并行检测传感原理，设计了多路信号同步采集系统。为提升检测准确率，建立检测准确率-排种频率之间的关系，通过分析检测装置的误差规律，构建了准确率补偿模型。台架试验表明：排种器转速在80～180 r/min时，田间正常排种频率范围为52.10～321.55 Hz，检测准确率均高于96.68%。田间播种试验表明：在2～9 km/h的小麦播种机作业速度下，田间排种频率为67.65～323.95 Hz，检测装置检测准确率高于95.28%。检测装置能够检测排种器的排种频率、各通道排种量、排种总量。正常田间小麦播种作业中机械振动、强光照和土壤粉尘对检测装置没有明显影响。该检测装置可为小麦高速播种作业中高频种子流精准检测、漏播检测以及补种提供有效支撑。     

马铃薯微型种薯振动排序播种装置播种性能优化

为推动马铃薯微型种薯(简称微型薯)播种机械化的发展,在现有研究的基础上,提出基于受迫振动原理的单列排序机械化播种技术,设计马铃薯微型种薯振动排序播种装置。在对播种装置工作原理进行阐述的基础上,对投种过程进行运动学和动力学分析,阐明了振动排序播种装置播种特性,并明晰了影响播种性能的主要因素及各因素的试验取值范围。以偏心轮偏心距、驱动轴转速和种床带速度为试验因素,以重播率、漏播率和播种合格率为评价指标,对3个不同级别的微型薯为研究对象开展二次回归正交组合试验,建立各个级别下微型薯的各指标与因素间的回归数学模型,分析相关因素对播种性能参数的影响,获得合理的参数组合,并进行验证试验,结果表明:3个不同级别的微型薯在较优的试验组合下,重播率和漏播率均小于5%,播种合格率在90%以上。由此表明,该播种装置满足马铃薯播种机播种性能要求。该研究为微型薯等大颗粒种子相关播种装置的研究、设计和优化以及播种性能的提升提供参考。     

蔬菜穴盘育苗播种漏播检测及智能补种装置设计与试验

为保证植物工厂蔬菜穴盘育苗高质量作业要求,该研究在气吸滚筒式蔬菜穴盘育苗精密播种器的基础上,优化设计了在线漏播检测与智能补种装置,以可编程逻辑控制器（programmable logic controller, PLC）为控制核心,实时进行播种器吸孔漏吸检测及穴盘穴孔漏播位置预报,并完成漏播穴孔的定点定穴补种。采用光电检测技术检测播种器吸孔漏吸位置,构建漏吸吸孔与育苗穴盘穴孔的对应动态补种矩阵,实现穴盘穴孔漏播位置精准预报;优化设计了智能补种装置,根据预报的穴盘穴孔漏播位置实现定点定穴精准补种。以中双11号菜心种子为对象,开展播种器吸孔漏吸检测与穴孔漏播位置预报试验,得到吸孔漏吸平均检测准确率为98.82%,穴孔漏播位置预报准确率为100%。采用Box-Behnken试验设计方法,对智能补种装置开展作业性能试验,构建主要性能指标（单粒合格指数、重播指数和漏播指数）与主要影响因素（吸针负压、吸针孔径和种室振动压力）的关系,并进行多目标优化,确定智能补种装置最优工作参数组合为吸针负压10.19 kPa、吸针孔径0.67 mm、种室振动压力0.07 MPa,此时补种装置播种的平均单粒合格指数为94.80%、重播指数为2.94%、漏播指数为2.26%。开展整机性能试验,在生产率为100盘/h条件下,整机的单粒合格指数由补种前的93.96%提高到98.18%;在生产率为300盘/h条件下,单粒合格指数由补种前的93.18%提高到97.89%。试验结果满足植物工厂和大田蔬菜穴盘育苗播种装置高精密播种作业要求,可提高蔬菜穴盘育苗的播种性能。     

玉米精准变量播种技术与装备研究进展

变量播种技术可依据农田环境空间异质性调整玉米播种量,实现生长环境与播种量的合理精准匹配,是突破玉米单产提升瓶颈、提高资源利用效率、实现玉米生产提质增效的重要手段。该研究按照玉米变量播种技术实施过程,从土壤肥力指标精确获取技术、最佳播量决策技术以及播量精准调控技术3个方面对玉米变量播种技术与装备进行综述。阐述了基于近地传感和遥感的土壤肥力指标快速获取的研究与应用现状,并对影响土壤肥力指标由点到面转化的土壤属性空间插值方法和影响土壤肥力分类结果的农田管理区划分方法进行了系统总结;重点分析了基于农田管理区和基于模型的变量播种决策方法的研究现状与优缺点,依据国外变量播种决策研究思路,同时结合中国国情提出了基于模糊推理、田间试验和机器学习的3种播量决策方法;综述了国外变量播种控制系统的结构组成与工作原理,归纳了国内电驱排种系统在作业速度测量、排种器驱动方式等方面取得的研究进展,并重点剖析了变量播种过程中存在的播种滞后问题及其补偿方法。针对中国玉米变量播种技术仍处于初级阶段,最佳播量决策技术与播量精准调控技术薄弱的问题,提出未来在玉米变量播种领域需开展的研究重点和发展建议:1)研发符合中国国情的变...     

倾斜圆盘式谷子精少量排种器的设计与试验

为解决谷子等小籽粒种子播种难的问题,根据谷子免间苗精少量播种的农艺要求,设计了一种倾斜圆盘式谷子精少量排种器,阐述了排种器的工作原理和谷粒的运动过程,计算确定了主要的结构参数。以种子破损率、总排量稳定性变异系数、穴距合格指数、重播指数、漏播指数、合格穴距变异系数为指标,对其进行了排量稳定性和均匀性试验。结果表明,该排种器的排量稳定性变异系数小于0.7%,穴距合格指数大于86%,重播指数小于12%,漏播指数小于7%,合格穴距变异系数小于5%,谷子破损率小于0.05%,满足行业标准要求。该研究可为小籽粒精少量排种器的设计分析提供了参考。     

玉米种子分级处理对气力式精量排种器播种效果的影响

该研究的宗旨是考察玉米种子分级处理对气力式精量排种器播种效果的影响。将玉米种子按形状和大小分为4级,分别用气吹式和气吸式2种精量排种器进行试验,以考察种子分级对合格、重播、漏播等播种指标的影响。试验表明：气吹式排种器对玉米种子形状和大小变异的适应性较强;对于气吹式排种器而言,在满足播种指标要求前提下,种子分级对其播种合格指数、重播指数影响显著,对其漏播指数和变异系数影响不显著,圆形种子合格率为96%,扁平种子合格率为87.4%,优势明显;而对气吸式排种器而言,分级后对各项质量指标的影响不显著,且出现较多播种不合格情况,说明即使进行种子分级也未能明显改进其播种性能。试验条件下,气吹式精量排种器的播种质量指标优于气吸式精量排种器。     

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