基于熵权TOPSIS法与ARIMA模型的四川省耕地生态安全动态预测预警

耕地生态安全预警研究能够有效引导耕地资源可持续利用。以四川省21个地市州为研究对象,构建了基于DPSIR模型的耕地生态安全预警评价指标体系,采用改进的熵权TOPSIS法进行警情分析,并运用ARIMA模型模拟未来5年警情变化趋势。结果表明:(1)ARIMA模型拟合度高,能够较好地拟合2015—2019年四川省耕地生态安全发展趋势;(2)总体而言,2005—2019年四川省耕地生态安全警情由"重警"变为"中警",预警指数由0.397(2005年)上升至0.501(2019年),最高值为0.524(2014年),总体呈波动上升的态势,表明出现严重生态安全问题的可能性小。(3)就各子系统而言,2005—2019年耕地生态安全压力系统是影响警情的变化的主要系统,该系统中预警值呈波动下降趋势,警度将升至"巨警"状态;驱动力、状态、影响与响应系统,预警值则逐年增大,警度等级逐年降低。(4)未来5年,四川省各地市州耕地生态安全压力区域差异明显,不同的区域应对措施不同,一二级区域将是以后调控的重点区。     

黑龙江省耕地资源安全预警分析及预警系统的构建

耕地资源安全预警是保护耕地和实现耕地资源可持续利用的有效手段。该文以黑龙江省为研究区,从耕地保护角度,结合研究区的耕地数量、质量和生态环境3个方面,构建耕地资源安全预警指标体系,利用纵比判断法,以研究区1996-2008年耕地资源安全定量评价值为基础数据,确定研究区耕地资源安全度的阈值。应用灰色模型GM(1.1)与BP人工神经网络技术,对黑龙江省2012-2015年耕地资源安全度及变化趋势进行了预测和分析,并构建了耕地资源预警系统框架体系。结果表明,1996-2008年黑龙江省耕地资源安全值呈不规则下降趋势。2012年黑龙江省耕地资源警度为轻警、2013-2015年为中警,警度有上升趋势;2012年耕地质量略有升高,但耕地数量减少幅度较大,2013-2015年,随着耕地数量的增加,耕地质量不断下降,2012-2015年生态环境呈平缓上升趋势。耕地数量与耕地质量不协调发展是黑龙江省耕地资源在预测期主要致警原因,城市化水平、水土流失比率和抗逆指数等是影响黑龙江省耕地资源安全状况的敏感因子。该文为相关预警研究提供参考。     

河南省土地生态安全警情时空演变及障碍因子

中原经济区城镇化、工业化进程的快速推进导致区域土地生态环境压力不断增大,对河南省土地生态进行安全预警评估十分有必要。基于2005—2016年河南省土地生态安全数据,构建了基于PSR-EES模型的土地生态安全指标体系,运用熵权法与综合指数法和障碍度模型,分析了2005—2016年河南省18个地市土地生态安全警情时空演变和限制性因子。结果表明:(1)从时间序列看,2005—2016年河南省土地生态安全综合预警指数由0.725下降到0.388,警度从"中警"下降到"预警",压力预警指数呈上升趋势,警度由"安全"上升为"较安全",状态和响应预警指数呈下降趋势,警度均处于"安全"。(2)从空间格局看,2005—2016年河南省土地生态安全综合警情南北差异显著,压力系统和状态系统空间格局呈中部高、周围低的格局,响应系统呈中部低、西部高的空间分布格局。(3)东部和北部区域的主要障碍因子集中在与人口增长和环境保护相关的指标上;南部和西部区域主要障碍因子集中在与生态环保和经济发展有关的指标上;中部平原区域主要障碍因子则与农业发展、生态环境治理和经济发展状况密切指标。     

喀斯特山区县域耕地占补平衡预警

科学地开展喀斯特山区县域耕地占补平衡的预警分析,提前反映耕地占补平衡变化趋势,对确保耕地占补平衡和保障粮食安全具有重要意义。运用对象属性解析法从土地利用总体规划、耕地占补平衡、人地关系、生态环境、耕地利用效果5个方面构建喀斯特山区县域耕地占补平衡预警指标体系。运用指数和法和回归分析法,对黔西县耕地占补平衡预警进行分析。研究表明,1996-2008年期间黔西县耕地占补平衡预警综合值波动性较大,预警警度分为无警、轻警、中警、重警和剧警5个级别。2009-2020年期间,黔西县耕地占补平衡预警综合值不断降低,耕地占补平衡分为无警、轻警和中警3个级别,其中,2009-2015年黔西县耕地占补平衡处于无警状态,2016年,耕地占补平衡将出现轻警状态,2017-2020年,耕地占补平衡将出现中警状态。提出稳定和提高黔西县耕地占补平衡水平的针对性对策措施。该研究可为科学调控区域耕地占补平衡和保障区域粮食安全生产提供科学依据。     

黑龙江省耕地系统安全预警及其驱动因素空间分异

为精准把握黑龙江省耕地系统安全预警及其驱动力,该文采用探索性空间数据分析、最小二乘法和地理加权回归,探究并明确县域尺度下黑龙江省耕地系统安全预警及其驱动因素空间分异特征。结果表明:1)黑龙江省各县域(市辖区)耕地系统整体安全警情较高。72个被评定县域中,有69个处于预警状态,处于轻警、中警和重警状态的分别有28、32和9个;2)耕地系统安全预警空间差异性和集聚性特征明显。西部警情最高,东部次之,南北轴带地区最低。正、负相关类型在空间分布上呈现鲜明的对比特征,正相关类型(高-高型和低-低型)县域以"组团"形式凸显,聚集性较强,负相关类型(高-低型和低-高型)县域较少且零星分散;3)地形及气候等自然因素和投入产出、水土资源配置等社会经济因素对研究区耕地系统安全预警有着显著的影响,且回归系数空间差异明显。研究可为合理制定缓解区域耕地系统安全警情方案提供科学依据。     

基于PSR模型的能源-生态复合区生态安全预警研究——以山西省忻州市为例

[目的]以山西省忻州市为例,探讨能源与生态复合区生态安全预警,为区域生态保护规划及区域高质量发展提供依据。[方法]基于PSR概念模型框架,从人口、资源、经济、环境、生态要素选取了21个指标建立了能源—生态复合区生态安全预警评价指标体系,采用熵值法确定权重,对山西省忻州市2000—2018年生态安全预警进行分析。[结果]①2018年忻州市14县综合预警值介于0.356 2～0.587 0之间,平均值为0.491 2,预警等级处于中警至轻警范围内。其中忻府区、定襄、五台、繁峙、静乐5县(区)警情为中警状态,其余7县(市)均为轻警状态,忻州市整体生态安全并不乐观,生态安全等级较低。②2000—2018年忻州市生态安全预警值呈波动缓慢上升趋势,警情为中警等级的县减少,轻警等级的县增加。[结论]研究区生态安全空间上呈现不均衡性,警情整体趋于改善,主要取决于系统压力中的经济、资源、环境压力趋缓。     

土地生态安全预警系统设计与实现

土地生态安全问题是区域生态安全的核心问题之一。定量化、可视化、自动化的评价和预测土地生态安全状况并进行实时预警,对土地资源的可持续利用具有重要意义。本文以河北省为研究实例,基于PSR(压力、状态、响应)模型构建了土地生态安全评价指标体系,采用投影寻踪模型对土地生态安全状况进行评价,采用主成分相关分析法诊断土地生态安全的主要影响因子,采用空间差异系数模型分析了土地生态安全的时空格局,采用马尔科夫预测模型对土地生态安全水平进行预测,通过划分土地生态安全预警等级建立了预警机制,并利用MATLAB的图形用户界面(GUI)开发了土地生态安全预警系统。结果表明:1)2010—2018年,河北省土地生态安全指数呈不断增长态势,由0.300上升到0.611,年均增长率为12.92%,土地生态安全状态由"恶化级"转变为"敏感级",预警等级由"巨警"转变为"中警",土地生态安全总体水平仍然较低。2)土地生态安全主要限制因子是人口密度、工业化率、单位播种面积农药负荷、单位土地工业三废负荷、城市建设用地比重、工业用地比重和GDP能耗等。3)河北省各地级市土地生态安全区域差异性不断缩小,近年趋于平稳,至2018年,空间差异系数为32.54%,各市之间的差异性仍然不容忽视,大部分地级市土地生态安全状态处于"敏感级",预警等级为"中警",土地生态安全水平有待进一步提高。4)2019—2025年,河北省土地生态安全指数呈稳步上升趋势,到2025年为0.834,达到"较安全级",预警等级为"轻警",土地生态朝着良性方向发展的潜力较大。     

枣庄市水环境生态安全评价

基于枣庄市水环境现状,按照“状态—压力—响应”模型要求,建立了枣庄市水环境生态安全评价指标体系。并采用综合指数法对枣庄市水环境生态安全水平进行了评价,通过确定评价标准进行综合指数分级处理,与五个水环境生态安全等级进行关联,分别对应重警、中警、预警、较安全和安全状态。在时间上以1999年～2005年的数据为依据,进行枣庄市水环境生态安全的年际演变分析。研究结果表明：1999年～2005年枣庄市水环境生态安全评价综合值总体趋势下降,水环境生态安全已经进入预警状态;状态评价值逐年下降,表明枣庄市水环境生态系统持续受损,水环境压力特别是农业面源污染逐年增加是枣庄市水环境生态安全综合评价值下降趋势的重要原因。     

耕地生态经济系统动态监测研究

在分析中国耕地生态经济系统运行的波动性、结构的复杂性、“体制”的脆弱性和调控的滞后性４个特征的基础上，指出开展耕地生态经济系统的动态监测，可使耕地管理由静态、被动状态走向动态、主动状态，实现耕地生态经济系统调控的超前性，切实有效地保护耕地。并阐述了耕地生态经济动态监测预警等所包含的警义、警源、警兆和警度４个方面的基本内容以及构建中国耕地生态经济动态监测机制的基本思路与方法。     

皖江城市带示范区土地资源生态安全警情测度及时空分析

依据PSR"压力–状态–响应"框架,选择24个指标构建土地资源生态安全指标体系,将皖江城市带示范区土地资源生态安全警情级别分为"无警、轻警、中警、重警和巨警"5级,基于云模型与熵权法对皖江城市带土地资源生态安全警情进行了测量分析,揭示了其警情时空变化规律及影响因子。结果表明:(1)时序变化上,2005—2013年,皖江城市带多数城市警情趋于上升,下降的仅为合肥市。(2)从"一轴双核两翼"的空间结构来看,主轴线上安庆、池州、铜陵、巢湖、芜湖、马鞍山沿江大多数城市近年来警情呈现上升趋势。其中,铜陵和马鞍山两市警情一直处于重警以上状态,土地资源生态安全压力较大。"双核"和"两翼"城市中的合肥、芜湖、滁州和宣城市,只有滁州和宣城市土地资源生态安全状况相对较好。(3)针对云模型系统分析结果,创新土地节约集约用地长效机制、增加生态建设和环保财政投入、优化产业结构、发展低碳和循环经济等是缓解该区域土地生态安全警情和促进土地资源可持续利用的保障。分析显示,皖江城市带土地资源生态安全警情处于上升趋势,整体状况趋于恶化。警情格局的变化在一定程度上体现了该区域高速社会经济增长对土地资源产生的压力响应。     

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