新乡市大棚菜田土壤重金属积累特征及污染评价

采用微波消解-ICP-AES技术,测定不同种植年限大棚菜田土壤样品中As、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Mn、Ni、Cu等重金属的含量,研究不同种植年限与大棚菜田土壤重金属累积的相关性以及大棚菜田土壤重金属累积特征,并利用地积累指数法进行污染评价。结果表明:大棚菜田土壤重金属Zn、Pb、Ni、Mn和Cu的含量与种植年限具有极显著相关性;大棚菜田土壤中重金属Cd和Cr的含量与种植年限不相关。重金属元素间相关性分析表明,Zn与Pb、Cd、Ni、Mn、Cr、Cu,Pb与Cd、Ni、Mn、Cr、Cu,Cd与Ni、Mn、Cr,Ni与Mn、Cr、Cu,Mn与Cr、Cu具有污染同源性,Cu与Cd、Cr不具有污染同源性。地积累指数法污染评价结果显示Cd的污染等级达到了6级,已构成了极严重污染;Zn和Cu的污染等级达到2级,已构成了中度污染;Pb、Mn的污染等级达到1级,已经构成了轻~中度污染;As、Ni、Cr均未构成污染。     

新乡市环宇大道工业区周边土壤重金属的污染特征和评价

通过实地采样及室内化学分析的方法,研究了新乡市环宇大道工业区周边土壤Pb、Cd、Ni、Zn、Cu和Cr 6种重金属污染特征和风险评价,并应用Tessier五步连续萃取的方法对土壤中超标的Cd,Ni和Zn进行形态分析。结果表明:(1)土壤中Pb、Cd、Ni、Zn、Cu和Cr的平均含量分别是63.08 mg kg-1、176.85 mg kg-1、307.2 mg kg-1、485.6 mg kg-1,38.7 mg kg-1和47.9 mg kg-1,Pb、Cu、Cr平均含量达标,Cd、Ni、Zn平均含量均超标,分别是国家土壤环境质量二级标准的176.85、5.12、1.62倍。(2)Ni和Zn主要以铁锰氧化物结合态和残渣态存在,Cd主要以铁锰氧化物结合态存在,其次为碳酸盐结合态,3种重金属的迁移能力依次为:Cd>Zn>Ni。(3)每种重金属都存在不同程度的潜在生态风险,Cd的潜在生态风险最大并构成了很强的危害。     

土壤可见光-近红外反射光谱与重金属含量之间的相关性

发展基于反射光谱技术的快速、简便、低成本的土壤重金属信息提取方法是区域土壤重金属污染治理所需要的。选择江西贵溪铜冶炼厂污染区,分析了9种重金属元素(Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Co、Ni、Fe、Mn及Cr)与土壤可见光-近红外反射光谱之间的相关性及其相关的原因。研究表明,研究区土壤中存在Cu(含量介于66.71~387 mg kg-1之间)和Cd(含量介于0.36~6.019 mg kg-1之间)的强烈富集。土壤重金属含量与反射光谱之间存在显著相关,污染元素Cu的最高相关系数为-0.87,Pb、Zn、Co、Ni、Fe的最高相关系数达到高度相关(|r|>0.80),Cr、Cd、Mn的最高相关系数达到显著相关(|r|>0.70)。微分光谱适于获取土壤中的重金属元素信息,利用组合波段能显著提高相关性。Cu与反射光谱之间的相关性主要受有机质的影响;Pb、Zn、Co、Ni主要受黏土矿物和铁锰氧化物的影响;Cr与反射光谱之间的相关性同时受有机质和黏土矿物的影响。     

新疆奎屯垦区土壤重金属风险评价

采用网格法采样,对新疆奎屯垦区3个团场土壤中As、Pb、Cu、Cd、Cr和Ni含量进行了测定,系统分析了该地区土壤重金属的含量水平、潜在生态风险程度、主要污染因子和污染来源。结果表明:奎屯垦区土壤重金属As、Pb、Cd、Cu、Cr、Ni的平均值分别为20.21 mg kg-1、35.91 mg kg-1、0.40 mg kg-1、27.18 mg kg-1、77.02 mg kg-1、39.31 mg kg-1,均没有超过国家土壤环境质量二级标准,但As、Cd有个别样点超标。各元素平均含量值均超过新疆土壤背景值,其中Cd、As、Pb最为显著,呈现出累积趋势。各重金属潜在生态风险由高至低顺序为Cd>As>Pb>Ni>Cu>Cr,其中Cd为主要潜在生态风险因子。进一步相关分析和因子分析结果显示,各元素的来源可分为两类,Cd、Pb和As为一类,来源主要受各种人为活动影响,Cu、Cr、Ni为一类,来源主要与成土母质有关。     

上海宝山和青浦区表土磁性特征的差异及环境指示意义

分别在上海宝山区和青浦区设置49和36个监测点,对表土磁化率(χl)f和主要重金属污染元素含量进行比较研究。结果表明:宝山表土Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Cr、Mn和Ni的平均含量分别为31.2、194.1、140.8、0.55、85.5、805.7和36.5 mg kg-1;青浦区表土平均含量分别为39.7、128.8、38.5、0.36、62.4、567.2和34.7 mg kg-1。宝山表土重金属污染程度普遍高于青浦,尤其是Pb、Cd、Zn含量显著高于青浦。宝山表土χlf显著增强,平均为180.1×10-8 m3 kg-1,且区域分异性较大,变异系数达110.4%;青浦表土χlf平均为32.7×10-8 m3 kg-1,变幅为10.4×10-8~117.5×10-8 m3 kg-1,变异系数为75.5%。宝山表土χlf与Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Mn、Ni、Fe含量存在极显著正相关关系(P<0.01);但青浦表土χlf仅与Zn、Mn(P<0.01)、Cu(P<0.05)显著相关。两区表土磁性特征、重金属累积以及两者相关性的差异,与不同的土地利用方式有关。尤其是青浦稻田土壤磁性弱,是该区χlf与重金属含量相关程度较低的重要原因。     

华北农田小麦-玉米轮作体系下土壤重金属积累特征研究

通过文献查阅和采样分析,建立华北农田小麦-玉米轮作体系下土壤重金属输入、输出数据库,分析不同重金属输入源所占比例;通过模型计算不同情景下土壤中不同重金属元素累积速率和累积速率的频率分布,分析土壤不同重金属的积累特征。结果表明,本轮作体系和条件下,Cu、Zn、Cd、Ni、Pb、Cr 6种重金属元素的主要输入源为畜禽粪便有机肥,其占总输入量的比例分别是:86.1%、83.8%、76.6%、72.5%、64.3%和46.3%;Hg、As的主要输入源为磷肥,其分别占总输入量的比例是52.6%和49.5%;大气沉降也是农田土壤中Hg的重要输入源之一。华北农田小麦-玉米轮作体系秸秆还田和地下水灌溉条件下土壤重金属元素累积速率的中位值分别为:Cd0.00238mg·kg-1·a-1,As 0.0298mg·kg-1·a-1,Hg 0.001 09 mg·kg-1·a-1,Pb 0.050 7mg·kg-1·a-1,Cr0.0502 mg·kg-1·a-1,Cu 0.110 mg·kg-1·a-1,Zn0.348mg·kg-1·a-1,Ni0.0393 mg·kg-1·a-1。根据我国土壤环境质量II级标准(GB 15618—1995),本体系和条件下土壤中Cd、Cr、Ni最易超标,在农田土壤重金属污染防治中应重点关注。     

蚌埠市区土壤重金属积累特征及生态风险评价

为了解蚌埠市区土壤重金属污染状况,利用原子发射光谱法(ICP-AES)测定了其重金属含量,并依次采用了单因子污染指数法、内梅罗综合污染指数法和Hakanson潜在生态风险指数法对其污染程度和潜在风险性进行了评价。结果表明,蚌埠市区土壤中重金属Zn、Cu、Pb、Cd、Mn和Cr的平均含量依次为90.61 mg kg-1、24.69 mg kg-1、37.27 mg kg-1、0.37 mg kg-1、323.45mg kg-1、22.71 mg kg-1,在安徽省各城市中处于中等偏下水平。单因子污染指数法评价结果表明,Cd为重度污染;Zn、Pb、Cu为轻度污染;Mn和Cr为安全等级。综合污染指数法评价结果表明,工业区和交通区土壤重金属为重度污染,商业区、居民区和文教区为中度污染,公园绿地为轻微污染。潜在生态风险指数法评价结果表明,Cd元素为强生态风险程度;Pb、Cu、Zn、Cr和Mn均为轻微生态风险。工业区和交通区为中等生态风险;商业区、居民区、文教区和公园绿地为轻微生态风险。在去除Cd元素以后,各功能区均处于轻微生态风险水平。总的来说,蚌埠市区土壤除了存在Cd的强生态风险外,其它各重金属生态环境较好。     

上海宝山区城市表土重金属累积的空间分布规律

检测了上海宝山区127个表土样点的重金属含量。宝山区表土Zn、Cr、Cd、Pb、Cu、Ni、Mn的平均含量分别为228.6、127.6、0.56、118.5、55.2、55.7、718.7mg/kg。其中Pb、Zn、Cd的含量分别是上海土壤背景值的5.6、3.0、2.8倍,受污染较明显。宝山区地表的重金属含量呈现出明显的空间分布规律:工业区地表,如吴淞、大场等地,多种重金属污染均很重,Zn、Cr、Cd、Pb、Cu的平均含量分别高达407.6、319.0、0.75、101.2、76.2mg/kg;马路绿地土壤Pb的累积较显著,平均为180.2mg/kg;远郊菜地土壤重金属污染不明显。     

渝黔高速公路綦江段两侧农地土壤重金属空间分布特征研究

选择渝黔高速公路綦江段沿线,设置6个农地区域进行土壤重金属(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn)监测,并进行空间特征分析。结果表明:渝黔高速公路綦江段邻域土壤表层As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn含量平均值分别为3.40,0.24,59.37,21.81,0.064,25.41,24.75,68.81mg·kg-1;水平方向上,土壤随着高速公路的外延,As、Cr、Ni、Zn含量整体呈下降趋势,Hg则反之,Cd、Cu、Pb相对稳定;垂直方向上,重金属含量随深度增加而降低,即表土层心土层底土层;以表层土为基础,可以确定项目区实际安全种植距离为远离高速公路150 m左右。土壤样品Cd部分超标,超标率为17.65%。     

包头市铜厂周边土壤中重金属垂直分布特征与形态分析

为了解包头市铜厂周边地区土壤剖面中重金属污染状况,采用火焰原子吸收分光光度法和Tessier连续提取法,对土壤中6种重金属（Cu,Zn,Mn,Ni,Pb和Cd）的垂直分布特征、形态及潜在生物可利用性进行了分析。结果表明:研究区土壤剖面各层土壤中6种重金属含量均超过内蒙古土壤背景值,Cu,Pb和Cd为主要污染物。随采样深度的增加,Cu,Zn,Pb和Mn的含量呈现下降趋势,且由相关性系数可知重金属Cu,Zn和Pb可能有相同人为或自然污染源;土壤剖面中6种重金属均主要以残渣态存在,含量均在50%以上,对生物危害较小;潜在生物可利用性分析结果为:Cu（32.61%） > Mn（31.85%） > Ni（24.90%） > Zn（16.60%） > Cd（15.23%） > Pb（14.87%）,Cu和Mn的潜在生物可利用性较大,其次为Ni,Zn,Cd和Pb潜在生物可利用性较小。     

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