广东省东南部菜地水田砷含量空间分布

针对稀疏采样条件下农用地土壤砷含量空间分布难以高效准确识别的问题,以广东省东南部农用地为例,采集表层土壤(0~20 cm)样本104个,借助空间分析与多元回归建模手段,分菜地、水田和果园3类农用地分析土壤砷含量统计特征、模拟揭示土壤砷含量空间分异的成因与空间分布格局。结果表明:1)研究区农用地土壤砷含量总体上达标,但个别样点土壤砷含量值高达137.80 mg/kg,显著高于国家土壤环境质量二级标准(GB156182-1995);2)3类农用地中菜地土壤砷含量最高、水田次之、果园相对较低,均值分别为11.04、9.89和2.54 mg/kg;3)各类农用地土壤砷污染来源不同,菜地砷污染主要在不同地形条件下,受河流污水灌溉和烟囱排放的废气沉降随地表径流累积影响,在空间上呈现北部偏高、其他地区偏低的分布格局;4)水田砷污染受河流污水灌溉影响显著,空间上呈现南北部偏高、中部地区偏低的污染格局。研究结果对在稀疏采样监测地区开展农用地土壤重金属污染制图与精细防控策略的制定提供了一种行之有效的方法。     

基于地统计学的樱桃园土壤重金属污染评价及来源解析

为研究天水市樱桃园土壤重金属污染的空间分布特征,实地采集0~20 cm土壤样品,测定重金属Pb、Cd、Cr、Cu、Zn含量,并运用多元统计分析等方法定量分析了研究区土壤表层重金属污染程度。结果表明:以甘肃省土壤背景值作为评价标准,除Cd元素外,其他元素的均值都超过了甘肃省土壤背景值;从土壤重金属元素空间分布格局来看,研究区东北部土壤重金属污染较西南部严重;从土壤重金属元素污染源来看,造成樱桃园土壤重金属污染最主要的因素为成土母质、农药;5种重金属元素均存在不同来源的污染,污染来源不单一,属于混合源污染。     

乌鲁木齐城市土壤粒度特征分析

土壤粒度组成是土壤重要的物理特性之一,对提高绿洲城市土壤抗风蚀能力、持水能力和土壤养分等有重要意义。研究选用乌鲁木齐城市不同区域的45个表土样品,利用激光衍射粒度仪和扫描电镜分析土壤粒度特征。结果表明:1)研究区表层土壤颗粒中砂粒含量偏低,粉粒含量最大,不同采样区同粒级间含量差异性不大。2)研究区土壤颗粒总体较细,分选性差,偏度为正偏态近对称型,峰度为中等窄峰态。粒度参数的空间分布规律为城南平均粒径高于城北,分选系数与平均粒径变化趋势类似,样品多为正偏,建设用地土样的偏度值从北部到南部呈下降趋势,多数样地峰态值偏高。3)研究区土壤粒度频率分布曲线由近似正态分布的单峰和非正态分布的多峰构成,其中农用地样品为单峰曲线,表明沉积物存在单成因组分,而建设用地和未利用地为多峰,说明存在多成因组分。同时发现典型样点的电镜图与粒级含量分布结果具有相似性和一致性。     

丘陵红壤重金属复合污染的空间变异分析

本文以江西省贵溪市江西铜冶炼厂周围的土壤重金属污染区(面积7.7km2)为例,研究了基于GIS的地统计学方法在丘陵红壤区土壤重金属复合污染空间变异分析上的应用,提出了一个空间变异分析步骤:(1)利用DGPS定位,以50~200m的随机网格采集土壤样品;(2)分析土壤重金属含量数据的分布类型和空间分布趋势,通过数据转换去除数据趋势;(3)计算半方差函数并选择最佳的拟合模型和参数;(4)通过交叉验证选择合适的克立格方法;(5)通过空间插值,绘制重金属污染空间分布图,分析空间变异规律和影响因素。空间分析结果表明,Cu和Cd的复合污染是铜冶炼厂污染区的主要污染特征,基于ArcGIS的地统计学分析模块可以较准确地分析丘陵区土壤重金属复合污染的空间变异特征。     

南太行典型区小流域土壤铅含量空间分异及影响因素分析

为揭示小流域尺度土壤铅（Pb）含量的空间分异规律及影响机制，提高土壤污染修复与管控效率。该研究以蟒河小流域为研究区，采集121份土壤表层（0～20 cm）样品和15份环境辅助样品，利用经典统计学、地统计学和地理探测器等模型方法对土壤Pb空间分异特征及其影响因素展开研究。结果表明：1）蟒河小流域土壤Pb含量的平均值为110.40 mg/kg，高于区域背景值，部分点位超过农用地土壤污染风险筛选值，存在污染风险；2）土壤Pb含量变异程度为强变异，且不同方向均存在较强的变异程度，南-北（0°）和东北-西南（45°）变异在空间变异中占主导作用，变异程度受成土母质、地形等结构性因素影响大。3）经验贝叶斯克里金空间插值显示土壤Pb含量整体由西南向东北带状逐步增加，局部特征明显，东北部山前平原和中部平原区域是土壤Pb污染风险监测的重点区；4）地质类型和土地利用对土壤Pb含量空间分布差异具有最强解释力，叠加距矿山距离和工业距离等因素后，其交叉作用影响程度显著增加，地质地形、大气等自然因素叠加工矿企业及农业生产等复杂环境下区域重金属污染综合研究是未来面临并需要研究的重要内容。该研究可为南太行典型区复杂环境下土壤重金属污染防治与修复治理提供精准支撑。     

北京市边缘区土壤重金属污染的初步研究

基础资料为采集于北京城市边缘区的29个土壤剖面表层和底层58个样品6种重金属全量分析数据,以本区重金属自然土壤元素背景值作为评价标准,计算出各样点剖面表层和底层土壤单因子污染指数。应用对应因子分析手段, 初步揭示了北京市边缘区土壤重金属污染的空间分异特征。结果表明,北京市边缘区土壤重金属总体污染状况不明显,只有Hg元素属于轻微污染范围。不同样点间重金属污染水平比较显示,Hg污染水平差异明显,Pb、Cd、As、Zn、Cu污染差异不大。     

冀东平原农田土壤重金属污染源分析与风险评价

【目的】通过研究冀东平原水稻田土壤中重金属来源、污染现状、空间分布特征和潜在的生态风险,实现重金属污染农田土壤的安全利用管控。【方法】以实地采集的水稻田土壤表层样品（0～20 cm）为研究对象,测定土壤中铬（Cr）、镍（Ni）、铜（Cu）、锌（Zn）、镉（Cd）、铅（Pb）、汞（Hg）和砷（As） 8种重金属元素含量。采用单因子污染指数法、内梅罗综合污染指数法和主成分分析、聚类分析等多元统计分析方法测算区域土壤重金属污染程度,并进一步分析重金属污染来源。【结果】以《土壤环境质量农用地土壤污染风险管控标准(试行)(GB 15618—2018)》中的风险筛选值为重金属污染评价基准,冀东平原水稻田土壤部分区域受到明显污染威胁,从单一的重金属元素来看,Cd污染不容忽视,其超标率达到了23.2%,是区域内土壤污染的主要元素。从土壤重金属元素的空间分布来看,重金属污染主要分布在研究区的中部和西部,其中Cd污染严重区主要分布在中部区域。重金属污染元素来源解析结果表明,冀东平原水稻田土壤污染主要受人为活动影响,其次是成土母质,其中Cr和Zn主要以成土母质影响为主,Ni、Pb、Cu、Hg和As是成土母质...     

工业型城乡交错区农业土壤Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd的空间分布及影响因素研究

在江苏省无锡市工业型城乡交错区，选择8km2区域，采集119个土壤样品，对土壤Cu、Zn、Pb,Cd及其有效态含量的空间分布和影响因素进行探讨。结果表明：该区土壤Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd含量和变异系数都明显增加，土壤有效态重金属含量与相应的全量重金属含量具有显著相关性。土壤Cu、Zn、Cd空间变异主要受到工业影响，但由于该区工业类型的多样性和工厂分布的分散性，Cu、Zn、、Cd空间分布模式并不相同。本区土壤Pb的分布与工厂分布的相关性不大，但随与城市距离增加而降低。公路和土地利用与土壤重金属含量的关系表现不明显。该区工业污染对土壤重金属空间变异的影响可能掩盖了公路和土地利用等的影响，建议在城乡交错区合理安排工业布局以控制土壤受重金属污染的范围。     

大冶市农田土壤中镉的空间分布特征及污染评价

矿山开采和冶炼是造成土壤重金属Cd污染的主要原因,了解典型区域土壤中Cd的空间分布特征及其污染现状,可为区域土壤污染防治与安全利用提供重要信息。本研究针对湖北省大冶市所有农田采集92个表层土壤样品和3个土壤剖面,利用GIS方法对土壤重金属Cd空间分布特征及污染状况进行了研究。结果表明大冶市土壤中Cd的含量范围为0.6 ~ 4.6 mg/kg,平均值为1.41 mg/kg,Cd迁移深度可达 40 cm。区域内土壤Cd污染范围较广,空间变异较大,还地桥镇、罗桥街办、陈贵镇等地农田土壤Cd含量较高。地积累指数评价结果显示大冶市大部分农田土壤为轻度、中度污染程度,在合理调整种植结构等方式下仍可保障农田安全利用。     

基于环境地球化学基线的农用地重金属累积特征及其潜在生态危害风险研究

为探明浙江东部某市周边农用地土壤重金属累积特征及潜在生态危害风险,系统采集研究区表土样品,测定重金属元素(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn)和惰性元素(Li、Eu、Sc、Sm)含量。通过元素相关性分析,筛选出合适的标准因子,按标准化方法建立了研究区土壤重金属As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb和Zn环境地球化学基线,获得基线值分别为11.13、0.38、57.48、43.86、0.30、21.55、51.91和132.7mg·kg~(-1)。在应用单因子方法评价土壤重金属污染程度基础上,以环境地球化学基线值作为标准因子,采用富集因子方法判别因受人类活动影响的重金属污染点位,并对土壤重金属累积潜在的生态环境风险进行了评价。结果表明,研究区表层土壤普遍存在不同程度的重金属污染,以轻微至轻度污染级别为主,其中Cd和As存在少量重度污染点位,比例分别为3.00%和0.19%。研究区重金属富集主要受工矿企业活动影响,浓集中心集中在金属矿山和印染企业周边,具有沿水系向低地势平原区迁移趋势。研究区范围Cd和Hg具有潜在的较高生态风险。利用GIS系统,将各样点重金属土壤污染程度、富集因子(EF)和潜在生态危害评价结果,在研究区农用地土地利用现状图斑上进行空间叠加,可实现从地理空间上的土壤重金属污染范围界定、重金属人为成因污染判别和潜在生态危害风险空间预警。     

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