生物脱臭填料的研究进展

综述了国内外生物过滤、生物滴滤和生物流化床中脱臭填料的发展过程，分析了各类生物脱臭填料在应用中的优缺点以及最近的研究动态，提出了改善各类脱臭填料性能的研究趋势。     

菌剂挂膜3D-RBC联合BCO工艺处理养猪沼液废水

针对养猪沼液废水寡营养、高氨氮的水质特征，该研究采用耐高氨氮、适应贫营养生长的异养硝化-好氧反硝化（Heterotrophic Nitrification-Aerobic Denitrification，以下简称HN-AD）菌挂膜启动三维结构生物转盘+生物接触氧化反应器（3D-RBC+BCO）组合工艺对沼液进行处理。该文研究了3D-RBC+BCO组合工艺在真实沼液条件下的启动过程及污染物去除效果，重点考察了溶解氧（Dissolved Oxygen，DO）浓度和C/N比2个关键因素对组合工艺污染物去除效果的影响。同时，借助高通量测序技术对DO和C/N比优化过程中微生物群落结构的变化规律进行解析。结果表明：在真实沼液条件下，采用HN-AD菌剂挂膜启动方法，仅用12和18 d就分别完成3D-RBC和BCO反应器的挂膜启动，同时组合工艺对COD、NH4+-N和TN的去除率分别稳定在94.8%、95.7%和80.1%，出水优于城镇污水厂排放一级B标准。在对3D-RBC反应器DO和C/N比的优化过程中，增设底曝后COD、NH4+-N和TN等指标的去除率分别降低了25.4%、15.4%和15.5%。高通量测序结果显示，增加底曝后3D-RBC盘片生物膜中微生物菌属的数量小幅下降，但HN-AD优势菌属的种类与丰度显著降低，导致脱氮效率下降；贫营养型Acinetobacter、Pseudomonas菌属是3D-RBC可以对真实沼液高效脱氮的关键，提高C/N比会显著降低其丰度，进而影响脱氮效果。     

基于负压抽滤的畜禽养殖污水过滤试验

降低畜禽养殖污水处理成本是促进养殖业健康发展的重要因素,介质过滤能截留污水中的悬浮性固体,是养殖污水预处理的有效途径之一。其中,以作物秸秆为滤料的自然过滤装置结构简单、能耗低,能有效去除养殖污水中的固体污染物,但仍存在易堵塞、过滤速度慢、秸秆利用率低等问题。对此,该研究提出负压抽滤方案并进行了相关试验：首先通过单因素试验确定了各试验参数的边界条件,再利用二次回归组合试验,优化了负压抽滤的运行参数,试验结果表明当滤层厚度、压实密度、过滤压差分别为10 cm、130 kg/m³、30 kPa时综合过滤效果最佳,此时总固体（total solid,TS）、挥发性固体（volatile solid,VS)、化学需氧量（chemical oxygen demand,COD)、氨氮（NH₄⁺-N）的去除率分别为40.47%、45.07%、13.56%、11.75%;经过自然过滤和负压抽滤的对比试验,相同滤层条件负压抽滤的污水处理量是自然过滤的4倍,而用时仅占自然过滤的1/5,负压抽滤能有效提高过滤速率和秸秆利用率。最后利用厌氧发酵试验,负压抽滤污水较未处理污水发酵周期缩短30%,产气量平稳且波动较小,负压抽滤能显著提升后续生化处理效率。研究结果可为改进现有畜禽养殖污水处理工艺提供了技术支撑。     

四种填料滤器处理养鱼废水的硝化性能

为了研究不同填料对海水养殖废水处理的硝化效能,并为生物滤器硝化动力学模型的构建、生物滤器的设计与管理提供基础数据支持,本文在5个化学耗氧量/总氨氮比0、0.8、2、6、12条件下,研究了竹制空心生化球、麦饭石、陶粒和生物滤球等4种填料的生物滤器去除模拟海水养殖废水中化学需氧量和总氨氮,以及生物膜微生物种群结构和数量的变化。结果表明：在低化学需氧量/总氨氮（＜6）条件下麦饭石填料的生物滤器具有最高的化学需氧量和总氨氮去除效能,最高分别可达850和21 g/(m3·d)（化学需氧量/总氨氮=0.8）;竹制空心     

生物炭强化生物滤池处理农村生活污水效果及碳排放

为研究生物炭对生物滤池强化作用及其在“双碳”背景下碳排放量与去除效果相结合的评估方法，以秸秆生物炭强化曝气生物滤池为研究对象，在中温环境（25～30 ℃）下，探究了生物炭强化生物滤池的挂膜启动时间、处理能力、稳定性以及日碳排放量。结果表明，滤池的挂膜时长为14 d；当水力负荷和进水流量分别为0.045m³/(m²·h)和0.9 m³/d时，系统的最佳进水水力停留时间为8 h，化学需氧量、氨氮、总氮和总磷的平均去除率分别为95.0%、79.1%、62.5%、78.4%；当水力停留时间和进水流量分别为8 h和1.2 m³/d，系统最佳的水力负荷为0.030 m³/(m²·h)，平均去除率分别为95.3%、87.4%、68.1%、79.0%； 在系统运行过程中，不同时期悬浮球与陶粒上胞外聚合物（extracellular polymeric substances，EPS）含量相比刚驯化污泥上EPS的含量都有所增加，表明了生物滤池在实际运行过程中比较稳定且污泥活性也比较好；在8 h的最佳水力停留时间以及进水流量0.9 m³/d的条件下，曝气生物滤池使污水达标排放的碳排放量为9.08 kg/d，因此采用生物炭强化曝气生物滤池处理农村生活污水具有较高的应用前景。     

适宜填料提高温室甲鱼养殖废水曝气生物滤池处理效能

温室甲鱼养殖废水的无序排放已成为长三角农村地区重要污染源之一,特别在温室甲鱼养殖密集区尤为明显。为了探索曝气生物滤池处理温室甲鱼养殖废水的可行性,并筛选适合于温室甲鱼养殖废水水质的生物滤池填料,为处理工艺的实际应用提供参考。该文以斜发沸石、生物陶粒和砾石等3种填料及以此作为填料的曝气生物滤池为研究对象,研究不同填料对温室甲鱼养殖废水N、P的吸附性能及其净化废水的效果。研究结果表明,3种填料的N吸附容量为0.469～0.563 mg/g,3种填料对N的吸附量差异不大（P>0.05）,P吸附容量0.003～0.114 mg/g,其中沸石对P的吸附量最高。在某典型温室甲鱼养殖场建立温室甲鱼养殖废水曝气生物滤池处理中试工程,经过122 d的运行,结果表明沸石、砾石和陶粒滤池对COD、NH4+-N、TN（总氮）以及TP（总磷）等污染物均具有良好的去除作用,整个运行过程中COD去除率59.4%～61.1%,NH4+-N去除率达93.2%～97.2%,TN去除率54.4%～71.1%,TP去除率为62.7%～84.3%,沸石滤池对TN去除作用最佳,砾石和陶粒滤池对TP的去除率较好。生物滤池对氮磷的去除是填料吸附和微生物共同作用的结果,填料种类对废水的处理效能影响较小,考虑到填料的成本和来源,砾石是曝气生物滤池处理温室甲鱼养殖废水时较为理想的填料。若在温室甲鱼养殖场位于环境敏感区,对氮的去除要求较高,则可采用沸石为填料。综上所述,曝气生物滤池处理工艺具有较高的推广应用价值,适合中国温室甲鱼养殖场废水的处理。     

滤料运动提高往复式微珠生物过滤器效率

为确定滤料往复运动在生物滤器硝化反应过程中的作用,该研究围绕滤料运动对往复式微珠生物过滤器硝化反应效率和动力学的影响进行了试验,利用一套微珠生物过滤器,填充发泡聚苯乙烯颗粒(expanded polystyrene beads,EPS)滤料,粒径为3mm,滤料层高度26cm,对其过滤效果进行试验。结果表明,滤料层的往复运动显著影响过滤器的处理效果,滤料的运动停止后,过滤器的效率缓慢下降,6d后的氨氮去除负荷降低了27.1%。动力学研究结果显示,滤料运动改变了过滤器的硝化反应动力学特性,与静止状态相比,硝化反应自零级动力学向半级动力学升级的分界点显著降低,进一步证明滤料运动可以改善营养物质的传质情况,提高生物膜活性,提升过滤器效率。     

海水循环水养殖系统生物膜快速挂膜试验

循环水养殖系统生物膜的挂膜成熟是一个比较耗时的过程,通常需要30～40d。为解决这一技术瓶颈,该文在一个大型海水循环水养殖厂的生物滤池内进行了生物膜快速挂膜的中试试验。该养殖厂循环水养殖系统有并联的生物滤池4个,单个为跑道式2级串联结构,总容量为800m3,采用毛刷状聚乙烯丝为生物载体。试验设计为预先培养水质净化菌的种子液,制备经200目筛绢过筛后质量比为4:1的黏土和沸石粉超细颗粒混合物悬液,然后按103cfu/mL和5g/L的浓度在两级滤池中分别加入4种不同水质净化菌的种子液和"黏土-沸石粉"混合物悬液,静水充气培养8d后,生物载体上能够形成较为牢固的生物膜。打开循环水系统运行2d后,连续5d检测生物滤池进、出水口的氨氮、硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐和COD(化学需氧量)含量,其5d平均消除率分别为:52.04%、17.24%、26.82%和62.94%。结果表明,与传统生物膜自然培养方法相比,该文所采用的挂膜方法将海水循环水养殖系统生物膜的挂膜成熟提前了20d以上,起到了增速效果,在生产上也是可行的。     

基于物质平衡的对虾高位池循环水养殖系统设计与试验

为建立一种高效、低成本的高位池循环水养殖系统构建技术,采用物质平衡相关原理,结合水净化设施构建技术,精准设计确立水处理系统物理过滤设施体积、生物过滤设施体积、循环量及供氧量等关键参数,并优化系统结构,建立融斜管沉淀设施、流化床生物过滤设施、增氧于一体的设施型高位池循环水养殖系统。应用该系统开展凡纳滨对虾运行试验,结果表明:p H值7.43~8.03,溶解氧5.32~7.82 mg/L,氨氮值0.06~0.54 mg/L,水质调控良好;系统养殖负荷2.26 kg/m3,饲料系数1.17,成活率81.3%,取得高效养殖生长结果;单茬利润3.34万元,亩均年利润2.67万元(按1年3茬计),获得良好经济效益。该研究系统主要参数设定值(预期值)与实测值吻合较好,可为高位池养殖模式可持续发展提供借鉴。     

不同类型生物炭理化特性及其对土壤持水性的影响

[目的]对比分析不同原料制备的生物炭的理化性质及其对土壤持水性的影响,为选择合适的生物炭改良和修复土壤提供理论依据。[方法]以鸡粪、浒苔及稻草为原料,分高、中、低3种不同温度制备生物炭,运用元素分析、盆栽培养等试验研究其特性。[结果]稻草中C,H及灰分的含量较高,鸡粪中N含量较高,浒苔中C含量低,O含量较高;而在制备的生物炭中,鸡粪基生物炭C和N含量较高,浒苔基生物C含量却比较低。另外,3种类型生物炭的H/C摩尔比值随着热解温度的升高而逐渐降低,C/N比随着热解温度的升高而增大。不同原料制备的生物炭pH值随着热解温度的升高而增大,pH值从6.82~8.35升高至9.33~10.29;3种类型的生物炭pH值随着灰分含量的增大而增大,但增长速率不同,稻草基生物炭浒苔基生物炭鸡粪基生物炭。并且,随着热解温度的升高,鸡粪、浒苔及稻草基生物炭引起土壤持水性逐渐增强。[结论]在土壤提供营养成分方面,鸡粪基生物炭显然更具优势,而且在促进土壤持水性方面,鸡粪生物炭也相对更强一些。     

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