几种萃取剂对土壤中重金属生物有效部分的萃取效果

采用6种萃取剂：pH=7的0.01mol/L CaCl2、pH＝7.3的0.005mol/L DTPA 0.1mol/L TEA(三乙醇胺）＋0.01mol/L CaCl2、0.1mol/L NaNO3、0.43mol/L HOAc、pH=7的0.05mol/L EDTA和pH=4.65的0.5mol/L NH4OAc 0.01mol/L EDTA浸取液，对污染土壤中的重金属Cu、Zn、Cd、Pb的进行了萃取，并比较了萃取剂的萃取能力。实验结果表明，HOAc、EDTA以及NH4OAc－EDTA萃取各种重金属的能力远远大于其它几种萃取剂的萃取能力，是比较理想的萃取剂。     

土壤中水溶性铜对西红柿的毒害影响因素及预测模型

该文选取17种具有代表性的中国土壤,研究了土壤孔隙水以及0.01mol/LCaCl2浸提态Cu对西红柿生长的毒害,结果发现对于土壤孔隙水中Cu对西红柿生物量10%抑制的毒性阈值(EC10)和50%抑制的毒性阈值(EC50),在17个非淋洗土壤中变化范围分别为0.06～1.47和0.17～3.42mg/L,淋洗土壤变化范围分别为0.05～2.24和0.13～4.37mg/L,最大值与最小值相差为23～41倍;0.01mol/LCaCl2提取态Cu的EC10和EC50,在非淋洗土壤变化范围分别为0.18～2.64和0.57～6.14mg/kg,淋洗土壤变化范围分别为0.18～1.28和0.61～7.11mg/kg,相差从6.9～14.4倍,表明土壤溶液性质影响水溶性Cu对西红柿的毒性阈值。同时,发现土壤孔隙水中Ca2+、溶解性有机碳是影响孔隙水中Cu对西红柿生长毒性的主要因子。当进一步考虑土壤溶液的重要因子(溶解性有机碳、土壤溶液pH值、电导率、全硫含量、Ca2+、Mg2+、K+、Na+),发现基于水溶性Cu的毒性阈值和土壤溶液性质的多元回归系数变化范围为0.75～0.99,说明利用土壤溶液性质能较好的预测土壤中水溶性Cu对西红柿的毒性阈值。该研究可为土壤水溶性Cu的风险评估提供参考。     

土壤溶液性质对水溶性镍的西红柿毒害的影响

选取17种具有代表性的中国土壤,研究土壤溶液性质对土壤孔隙水以及0.01 mol/L CaCl2浸提液中镍(Ni)植物毒害的影响。结果发现,孔隙水中Ni(PW-Ni)对西红柿地上部分生物量50% 抑制的毒性阈值(EC50)变化范围为1.02 ~ 8.91 mg/L,最大值是最小值的 8.7倍;CaCl2-Ni的毒性阈值EC50变化范围为 0.77 ~ 20.40 mg/kg,最大值是最小值的26.5倍,表明土壤溶液性质对水溶性Ni的毒性阈值影响很大。土壤PW-Ni毒性主要受到K+、Mg2+、S的影响,基于这3个因子的回归方程可以较好预测PW-Ni对西红柿毒性阈值EC50,决定系数为0.71。当回归方程包括土壤溶液中溶解性有机碳(DOC)、pH、电导率(EC)、Ca2+、Na+ 时,其决定系数提高到0.84,说明其他因子对PW-Ni的毒性也存在一定的影响,利用这些土壤溶液性质可以较好预测PW-Ni的植物毒性阈值。     

稻菜轮作制下土壤有效态汞提取剂和提取条件研究

选择长三角地区代表性人为耕作土——青紫泥为研究对象,通过网室盆栽和室内试验,选用CaCl2,HCl,DTPA(二乙烯三胺五乙酸)和NH4OAc共4种提取剂,研究了水稻—小白菜—萝卜作物轮作系统中土壤有效态汞提取剂的选择与提取条件的优化问题。结果表明,不同提取剂提取的有效态汞含量随提取时间的延长而逐渐增加,30min可作为提取剂提取土壤有效态汞的最佳平衡时间;随土水比的减小,提取剂提取的土壤有效态汞量明显提高,1∶5为较适宜的土水比;不同提取剂的提取能力不同,对供试土壤,提取剂提取能力的大小顺序为:CaCl2>HCl>NH4OAc>DTPA。提取剂提取的土壤有效态汞量之间存在显著正相关,其中CaCl2和NH4OAc之间相关性最高;在土壤—水稻系统和土壤—萝卜系统中作物可食部位汞含量与提取剂提取的土壤有效态汞含量之间存在显著正相关关系,但在土壤—小白菜系统中相关性不强。综合分析,确定CaCl2为供试土壤汞有效态的最佳化学提取剂。     

泥炭对菜心-土壤系统中重金属生物有效性的效应研究

以菜心为研究对象,利用盆栽试验,观测在重金属Cu（200 mg/kg）、Cr（300 mg/kg）、Pb（1000 mg/kg）污染的土壤上添加不同用量的泥炭（0%、0.5%、1%、2%、4%、5%）对重金属生物有效性及其土壤形态分布的影响。结果表明,随着泥炭施用量的增加,菜心采收时土壤重金属的形态分布发生了改变,DTPA交换态的重金属明显减少,有机结合态重金属明显增加,菜心根、茎、叶重金属含量显著降低;从总体趋势来看产量有所提高,只是在5%或4%的泥炭施用水平下产量略有下降。说明在0%～5%范围内的泥炭施用量能降低铜、铬、铅重金属污染土壤的生物有效性,0%～3%范围内的泥炭施用量能提高菜心产量。     

土壤有效态重金属提取剂选择的研究

利用5种不同的土壤重金属浸提剂,研究了土壤有效态重金属含量与玉米重金属含量的关系,并提出了一种新的土壤有效态重金属的浸提剂。结果表明:0.1mol/L HCl,0.05mol/L EDTA-2Na,0.1mol/L CaCl2,0.1mol/L HAc-NaAc,0.05mol/L DTPA提取的化学有效态重金属与玉米根、茎、叶中重金属Cu、Zn、Cd、Pb大部分呈显著或极显著相关,但各化学提取剂提取的有效态Zn、Cu与玉米籽粒Zn、Cu的相关性较差。利用柠檬酸-酒石酸为提取剂提取的重金属含量与玉米籽粒中重金属的含量有着相对较好的相关性,是一种预估玉米籽粒中重金属含量的较好办法。     

镉污染土壤的植物修复及其EDTA调控研究：Ⅱ．EDTA对镉的形态及其生物毒性的影响

本通过温室盆栽试验研究了10－200mg/kg共20个浓度梯度的Cd处理下，EDTA加入土壤后对Cd的形态及其生物毒性的影响，在获前一周加入EDTA，收获后测定植物根和地上部的生物量，以及H2O、NH4NO3和EDTA3种提取剂提取的Cd浓度。结果表明，EDTA加入土壤一周后，土壤水溶态Cd增加了400倍以上，交换态Cd增加了40倍以上，印度芥菜根和地上部的生长都受到抑制。可能的原因是EDTA增加了土壤中镉的移动性，提高了Cd对植物的毒性。     

姜花在Cu胁迫下的耐性机理研究

采用模拟湿地盆栽试验,研究了姜花在Cu胁迫下的积累、分布、化学形态和富集能力。结果表明：（1）姜花对Cu的积累能力随Cu处理浓度的增加而增大,但各部位对Cu的积累具有明显的差异性。当Cu处理浓度≤150mg·kg。时,其积累能力表现为根〉叶〉茎;当Cu处理浓度≥200mg·kg。时,其积累能力表现为叶〉根〉茎。（2）Cu在姜花叶片细胞中的分布具有选择性,其主要分布位点为细胞可溶性部分和细胞壁部分,而在细胞器中Cu的含量较低。（3）Cu在姜花根、茎和叶中赋存的化学形态有明显差异。在根部,Cu的化学形态主要以乙醇提取态和水提取态为主;在茎部,Cu均以氯化钠提取态为主;而叶部Cu主要以活性较低的氯化钠提取态、醋酸提取态和盐酸提取态存在。（4）姜花对Cu具有一定的富集能力,但富集能力不强,当Cu浓度达到400mg·kg^-1以上时,姜花植株便出现了较明显的毒害症状并随之死亡,因而姜花尚未达到超富集植物的标准。可见,姜花在Cu胁迫下具有一定的耐受性,分布选择性和富集能力,将其运用于湿地Cu污染修复中,将极大地缓解重金属Cu污染给环境带来的压力。     

砂姜黑土区采煤塌陷坡耕地氮磷时空分布与流失特征

[目的]研究砂姜黑土区采煤塌陷坡耕地动态过程中表层土壤NH+4—N和有效磷(AP)的时空分布,揭示氮磷随地表径流流失的雨强和坡度变化特征。[方法]选择淮北平原砂姜黑土区两类不同煤矿井工开采方式引发的地表塌陷坡耕地,动态监测表层土壤中NH+4—N和AP含量,并在实验室应用人工模拟降雨,测定2种雨强和3种坡度处理的地表径流中可溶态及颗粒态NH+4—N,AP含量。[结果](1)充填开采地表塌陷坡耕地表层土壤中NH+4—N含量为16.5~72.0mg/kg,AP为26.0~63.5mg/kg,非充填开采分别为9.08~67.2 mg/kg和22.4~82.1 mg/kg,未塌陷区域为83.5~162 mg/kg和38.7~86.5mg/kg;(2)两种开采方式地表塌陷坡地土壤NH+4—N和AP含量与未塌陷区域相比,均显著降低(p0.05),NH+4—N含量自坡顶至坡底逐渐增加。随时间推移,NH+4—N和AP含量未显著降低,AP含量反而有增加迹象;(3)强降雨时NH+4—N和AP的流失量是弱降雨的3~5倍,颗粒态NH+4—N和AP流失量占总流失量的60%以上。坡度越大,NH+4—N和AP的流失量越多,流失量突变的坡度为5°~10°之间。[结论]砂姜黑土区采煤塌陷坡耕地土壤氮磷流失显著增加,颗粒态NH+4—N和AP为径流流失的主要形式。     

基于比色化学传感器定量检测土壤中可交换态Cu2+的研究

基于比色化学传感器的特性,通过溶液颜色视觉变化的定性和紫外-可见分光光度法(UV-Vis spectro-photometry)的定量用于可视化检测土壤中可交换态Cu2+的含量。将2～50 mmol/L的Cu(NO3)2溶液掺入到蒙脱土和高岭土中,并且从铜矿区内采集了受污染的土壤样品。基于氯化钙阳离子交换法提取可交换的Cu2+,使用化学传感器通过UV-Vis分光光度法测定溶液中的Cu2+浓度,并与传统的电感耦合等离子体质谱(Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry,ICP-MS)法进行比较分析。结果表明,在受污染的土壤中最低检出浓度为0.030 mmol/L,溶液颜色变化肉眼可辨,能够达到可视化。首次提出了对于比色化学传感器应用于土壤体系中基于CaCl2提取的可交换态Cu2+的定量分析方法,能够对土壤中有害重金属元素的可视化定量检测提供一定的理论基础。     

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