Rho相关蛋白激酶抑制剂Y-27632对猪诱导多能干细胞冻存和传代效率的影响

猪作为重要的疾病模型动物,目前猪诱导多能干细胞(iPS 细胞)已有建系,但是细胞的冻存和传代的效率较低,影响后续的实验研究。Rho 相关蛋白激酶(ROCK)抑制剂 Y-27632 可提高人胚胎干细胞的解冻存活率,促进其克隆形成。本实验以猪(Sus scrofa)iPS 细胞为研究对象,通过在猪 iPS 细胞冻存和解冻过程中添加Y-27632,发现其可以减少猪 iPS 细胞在冻存和解冻复苏过程中的凋亡。在细胞的传代过程中,使用 Y-27632 可以促进猪 iPS 细胞的贴壁和克隆形成。虽然高浓度 Y-27632 会对猪 iPS 克隆的形态产生一定的影响,但并未影响细胞的碱性磷酸酶(AP)活性和多能性基因 Oct4、Sox2 和 Nanog 的表达水平。最后将转座子报告质粒 PB[Act-RFP]DS 导入猪 iPS 细胞中,经流式筛选后得到的带有红色荧光的细胞,并将其注射于猪孤雌胚胎中进行发育能力检测,发现 Y-27632 的处理能减少细胞在流式筛选和胚胎注射中的凋亡,促进其在胚胎内的嵌合发育。研究结果说明,ROCK 抑制剂 Y-27632 可以提高猪 iPS 细胞冻存和传代的效率,促进其在胚胎中的嵌合。该研究有助于猪 iPS 细胞及其他多能干细胞的保存,传代和筛选等相关研究。     

编者按

正动物干细胞与胚胎工程研究,在家畜繁殖育种和转基因动物克隆方面发挥着重要作用,同时补充了转化医学研究无法开展的工作。本期特设了"动物干细胞与胚胎工程"专题,集中展示了该研究领域的部分研究成果,以增进读者对该领域研究进展的了解。多能干细胞是一类具有自我更新能力和多向分化潜能的细胞类群,其主要特性是具有发育成3个胚层细胞和特定功能组织器官的能力。通过体外培养建系获得多能干细     

牛胚胎干细胞建系研究进展及存在问题

牛胚胎干细胞具有重要的生物学意义和广阔的应用前景。回顾了牛胚胎干细胞的研究进展，阐述了牛胚胎干细胞生物学特征与表面抗原标志、建系方法和技术路线，系统分析了影响牛胚胎干细胞分离克隆的各种重要因素，并对目前建系中所面临的主要问题进行了探讨。     

猪转录因子Nanog高效表达、多克隆抗体制备及其应用

多能转录因子Nanog可维持干细胞的自我更新和多向分化潜能.为深入研究猪(Sus scrofa)Nanog在多能性调控网络的作用,本研究制备了鼠抗猪源Nanog多克隆抗体.首先,从猪肾脏中克隆Nanog基因CDS,再将CDS连接到pET32a质粒上,构建重组表达载体pET32a-Nanog.将重组载体转化大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli) Rosetta (DE3),经异丙基-β-d-硫代半乳糖苷(isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactoside,IPTG)诱导表达,优化最佳诱导时间、温度和IPTG浓度等表达条件,获得分子量为57 kD的Nanog重组蛋白.将纯化的Nanog蛋白,免疫C57BL/6小鼠(Mus musculus),6周后获得阳性抗血清,通过Western blot和免疫荧光检测其抗体效价及其特异性.结果显示,在28℃、8 mmol/L IPTG、诱导2.5 h的条件下,可获得高效Nanog重组表达;制备的鼠抗猪Nanog多克隆抗体能特异性识别猪诱导多能干细胞表达的Nanog蛋白.研究结果为猪多能性干细胞的研究提供了有力工具.     

L-Wnt3a细胞用于制备胚胎干细胞饲养层的研究

小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞(mouse embryonic fibroblasts,MEFs)作为胚胎干细胞培养的饲养层细胞,受到细胞代次等因素限制,需要长期反复制备,消耗大量的实验动物。寻找可替代小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞支持干细胞生长增殖的稳定细胞系,对于降低干细胞的培养成本和减少工作量具有重要意义。L-Wnt3a细胞是一个能够稳定向细胞外分泌Wnt3A蛋白的永生细胞系,目前尚不清楚其是否支持小鼠胚胎干细胞的培养。本研究探讨L-Wnt3a作为饲养层细胞对于小鼠(Mus musculus)胚胎干细胞系的建立以及该细胞条件培养液对无饲养层培养小鼠胚胎干细胞的影响。实验结果表明,丝裂霉素C浓度为10μg/mL,作用4 h时,可显著抑制L-Wnt3a细胞的体外生长而不影响细胞的活力。用该细胞制备饲养层,原代分离、培养小鼠胚胎干细胞,成功建立小鼠胚胎干细胞系。利用L-Wnt3a细胞制备条件培养液进行胚胎干细胞的培养,结果显示,L-Wnt3a条件培养液可支持小鼠胚胎干细胞在无饲养层条件下自我增殖,该条件下培养的胚胎干细胞表达碱性磷酸酶、Oct4、Sox2、Nanog、E-cadherin(E-CAD)和SSEA-1多能性因子,并能够在体内、外分化为3个胚层,形成嵌合体后代。L-Wnt3a细胞作为饲养层细胞,能够成功分离获得小鼠胚胎干细胞,可以避免小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞作为饲养层细胞存在的代数限制、制备繁琐等问题;并且LWnt3a条件培养液可以在无饲养层条件下维持小鼠胚胎干细胞的自我更新,能够在一定程度上有效避免饲养层细胞对胚胎干细胞造成的不利影响。     

猪羊水干细胞的分离培养及向脂肪细胞诱导分化

羊水干细胞是一种存在于胎儿羊水中Oct4阳性的多能性干细胞.该细胞具有增殖能力强、分化潜能高和免疫原性低等特点,在生物学和医学研究上具有广泛的应用前景.本实验从不同胎龄的猪胎儿标本中分离猪羊水干细胞,并通过诱导其向脂肪细胞分化来检测其多向分化潜能.结果表明,从胎龄为30～70 d的猪胎儿羊水中分离出的羊水干细胞贴壁率高,增殖能力强,活性好,并建立了两株猪羊水干细胞系.经流式细胞仪和RT-PCR检测,猪羊水干细胞表达CD117、CD44、CD166和CD90表面抗原,不表达CD45、CD54和CD34;稳定表达Oct4、Nanog、C-myc和HLA-abc干细胞特异标志基因;转染报告基因载体pOct4-EGFP和pNanog-EGFP后表达绿色荧光;此外,猪羊水干细胞还能够在体外诱导分化为脂肪细胞.研究结果为大动物羊水干细胞的研究提供了可借鉴的材料.     

猪诱导多能干细胞(iPS)嵌合胚胎的制备

猪诱导多能干细胞(iPS)具有自我更新和多向分化潜能,是医学和细胞生物学研究理想的材料。为了探索猪iPS细胞的胚胎嵌合能力,本实验采用piggyBac转座子系统PB[Act-RFP]DS和Act-PBase载体,共转染猪iPS细胞,获得带有红色荧光标记的猪iPS细胞株PS24-R。并通过显微注射方法,将供体细胞PS24-R注入到4~8细胞期的胚胎腔隙,制备嵌合胚胎,待其继续发育至囊胚阶段,统计PS24-R细胞在胚胎中的嵌合情况。结果显示,通过转座子系统piggyBac标记的猪PS24-R细胞能够稳定表达红色荧光,以其作为供体细胞制备猪嵌合胚胎能够有效观察iPS细胞在胚胎中的嵌合情况。将1、5和10个猪PS24-R细胞和1个猪PS24-R细胞团分别注射到猪胚胎中构建嵌合胚胎,随着猪iPS细胞注射数量的增加,注射胚胎的囊胚率逐渐下降,但嵌合比例逐渐升高。同时与孤雌胚胎相比,嵌合胚胎中多能基因OCT4、SOX2和NANOG表达显著提高。由此可见,采用piggyBac转座子标记的猪PS24-R细胞能够在猪早期胚胎发育阶段实现嵌合,为iPS细胞嵌合猪的生产提供了基础资料。     

cNanog和cPouV表达下调对鸡胚胎干细胞(cESCs)多能性的影响

利用稳定干扰载体pSuper-cNanog和pSuper-cPouV转染鸡(Gallus gallus)胚胎干细胞(chicken embryonic stem cells,cESCs),观察多能性相关基因cNanog和cPouV下调后cESCs的增殖特性和多能性标记的改变。Real-time PCR检测分析结果显示,cNanog和cPouV两基因的表达量从48 h开始出现显著下降趋势,并随着转染筛选时间的延长而呈现持续显著下降趋势,96 h可达65%以上(P0.05)。下调cNanog和cPouV基因的表达后,cESCs呈现分化形态,细胞增殖速度减慢,隆起逐渐不明显,边缘不整齐。待筛选后培养至96 h时,干扰cNanog基因的细胞多能性标记碱性磷酸酶(alkline phosphatase,AKP)和阶段特异性胚胎抗原1(stage-specific embryonic antigen-1,SSEA-1)均不表达,而干扰cPouV基因的细胞中则仍有部分表达。将下调cPouV基因的cESCs再次用pSuper-cNanog转染,培养48 h多能性标记AKP和SSEA-1均不表达。结果说明,cNanog和cPouV基因在维持鸡胚胎干细胞多能性和自我更新中起重要作用,且cNanog基因占主导地位。本研究为研究家禽胚胎发育的分子机制以及家禽胚胎干细胞体外培养时自我更新和多能性维持的分子机制提供理论依据。     

四环素调控基因(TetO)诱导重编程的猪体细胞系建立

建立含有TetO-FUW-OSKM和FUW-M2rtTA的第二代猪(Sus scrofa domesticus)成纤维细胞,使其在添加强力霉素(doxycycline,DOX)而无需再次感染病毒的条件下可以重编程。将慢病毒(Lentiviral)质粒四环素调控基因(TetO)-FUW-OSKM和FUW-M2rtTA同时感染猪胎儿成纤维细胞(porcine embryonic fibroblasts,PEF),在添加DOX的培养条件下,形成诱导多能干细胞(induced pluripotent stem cells,iPSCs)。随后,将iPSCs通过形成拟胚体(embryoid body,EB)再分化为成纤维样细胞,即TetO-PEF细胞。TetO-PEF携带TetO-FUW-OSKM和FUW-M2rtTA两个载体,且外源四因子拷贝数一致,在+DOX条件下调控四因子表达,直接驱动细胞重编程。本研究建立了TetO-PEF细胞系,为优化猪iPSCs培养条件提供了新的细胞资源。     

家畜多能干细胞的研究现状与应用

多能干细胞(pluripotent stem cells,PSCs)包括从胚胎内细胞团中分离出的胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cells,ESCs),外胚层干细胞(epiblast stem cells,EpiSCs),从原始生殖细胞(primordial germ cells,PGCs)分离出的胚胎生殖细胞(embryonic germ cells,EGCs)和诱导多能干细胞(induced pluripotent stem cells,iPSCs).这些细胞都具有向各种类型细胞发育的潜能,因此,PSCs为再生医学的发展,人类基因疾病的动物模型的建立,异种器官移植和高质量抗病新品种的培育提供了有效的途径.迄今为止,PSCs在小鼠(Mus musculus)模型和人类物种已经做了大量研究,同时,家畜的ESCs和iPSCs也取得了有效的进展,表明其不仅可以应用于特定家畜优良品性的稳定遗传和优育,而且可以以家畜为载体生产人类需要的化学药品和抗体,甚至应用在人类疾病的临床前应用中.然而,家畜的ESCs相对来说是难分离和富集的,体外培养建立稳定的ESCs系具有更大的难度和挑战.近年来,得益于对家畜ESCs和相关iPSCs相关的持续研究,已初步揭示了家畜ESCs的独特生物学特性.PSCs已经成为生命科学和高科技农业和生物学一个创新的研究领域.在本文中,本文综述了家畜PSCs的发展历程与应用前景.     

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