不同类型黄壤旱地的磷素流失及其影响因素分析

在贵州中部黄壤旱地上 ,通过模拟降雨试验方法 ,对不同类型黄壤旱地磷素流失及其影响的主要因素进行研究。结果表明 ,黄壤旱地磷素流失以颗粒态形式流失为主 ,其占地表径流总磷含量的 86 .4%～ 99.9% ;不同类型黄壤旱地随地表径流流失的颗粒态磷 (泥沙结合态磷 )量和磷酸根态磷 (水溶态磷 )量存在较大差异 ,高肥力旱地磷的流失量明显高于低肥力旱地。影响黄壤旱地颗粒态磷和磷酸根态磷流失量的首要土壤因子都是有效磷含量 ;在土壤磷素水平一致下 ,黄壤旱地颗粒态磷流失量与 <0 .0 0 1mm粘粒含量呈显著正相关 ,而磷酸根态磷流失量与土壤交换性钾含量呈显著负相关。此外 ,降雨强度对旱地磷素流失产生明显影响 ,高降雨强度将加速颗粒态磷的流失 ,从而明显地提高旱地磷素流失量 ;而低降雨强度促进磷酸根态磷的流失     

坡面小区土壤流失过程中粒径组成变化及其影响因素

利用北京密云水库上游的石匣坡面径流小区进行野外坡面产流产沙监测,探究坡地褐土土壤流失过程中土壤粒径组成变化及其影响因素.主要结论如下:坡面上部均发生土壤粗化现象.在坡度较大且无植被覆盖的坡面,坡上部土壤粗化程度强于坡中和坡下.雨季前土壤中粘粒和粉粒的含量最大,砂粒的含量最小;其次是雨季中,雨季后粘粒和粉粒的含量最小,砂粒的含量最大.在坡度较小且有植被覆盖的坡面,坡上部存在微弱的土壤粗化现象,坡下部表层土壤未现粗化.雨季前后,土壤中粘粒、粉粒和砂粒的含量变化均呈现相反的规律,即雨季前土壤粘粒、粉粒含量最小,砂粒的含量最大;而雨季后土壤粘粒、粉粒含量最大,砂粒的含量最小.随着降雨次数的增加,无论是与土壤分离的泥沙,还是坡面的产沙,粘粒含量均在减小,砂粒含量均在增多.降雨、坡度、坡长等均对泥沙起动产生促进影响,而植被覆盖会减弱土壤侵蚀和流失.     

碎石土坡地不同植被配置下的养分流失途径

为了解不同植被类型及覆盖度对碎石土壤坡地养分流失途径的影响,采用模拟径流小区降雨,研究了6种植被配置模式下地表径流、壤中流及侵蚀泥沙氮、磷养分流失特征。结果表明:植被覆盖坡地氮流失量比裸地减少了0.91~4.60倍,磷流失量减少了6.25~63.9倍,养分控制效果排序为草灌草本灌木裸地。6种植被配置下的地表径流、壤中流及侵蚀泥沙养分流失量存在显著差异,裸地氮、磷的主要损失途径是侵蚀泥沙,灌木是地表径流,草本与草灌结合处理则是地表径流和壤中流;而草本、灌木以及草灌结合土壤磷的主要损失途径是侵蚀泥沙与地表径流共同作用的结果。不同植物覆盖措施对含碎石土裸地氮、磷的流失起到显著的截留作用,主要通过由侵蚀泥沙向非侵蚀泥沙途径转化而实现对氮磷的截留。灌木覆盖度与地表径流的氮磷流失量、径流总量的氮磷流失量之间呈现显著的正相关性,与壤中流的氮磷流失量呈现显著的负相关性。     

三峡库区紫色土旱坡地不同坡度土壤磷素流失特征研究

以三峡库区紫色土旱坡地为研究对象,采用野外径流小区观测方法,研究了三峡库区旱坡地不同坡度下土壤磷素的流失特征。结果表明,地表径流量和侵蚀泥沙量都随着坡度的增大而增大,且径流量和泥沙量是先增大后减小,最后趋于稳定。地表径流和侵蚀泥沙中磷素的流失量均呈17°>9°>4°的趋势。地表径流中,颗粒态总磷流失量是水溶态总磷流失量的1.50～1.51倍。全磷主要吸附在泥沙中流失,磷素随泥沙的流失量占总流失量的85.0%～94.1%。研究结果为三峡库区旱坡地磷素的管理提供理论依据。     

三峡库区王家沟小流域不同坡度土壤氮素流失特征研究

采用野外径流小区观测方法,研究了三峡库区王家沟小流域旱坡地不同坡度土壤氮素的流失特征。结果表明:①旱坡地不同坡度小区土壤氮素流失量总体不大,单场降雨侵蚀泥沙氮素流失量最大值为189.06 mg/m2,而在地表径流中仅为28.12 mg/m2,侵蚀泥沙氮素流失量明显高于地表径流氮素流失量,最大差异达到16.8倍,差值随着坡度的增大有减少的趋势;坡度越大,地表径流氮素和侵蚀泥沙氮素的流失量也越大,呈现出小区17°>9°>4°的趋势;铵态氮流失量明显低于硝态氮流失量,4°、9°、17°小区地表径流硝态氮流失量较铵态氮流失量分别高出3.2、3.6、4.0倍,说明硝态氮较铵态氮更易于流失,且随着坡度的增大差异增大。②不同坡度小区地表径流量、侵蚀泥沙流失量与降雨量均存在显著的线性正相关(P<0.05),且随着坡度的增大地表径流量与降雨量的相关系数在增大,侵蚀泥沙流失量表现则相反,这可能与土壤母质、作物生长等情况有关。     

前期土壤含水量对粘性红壤产流产沙及溶质运移的影响

采用针头式降雨器对零坡度、短坡长、不透水底层的红壤土体进行人工模拟降雨试验,在消除坡度坡长影响模拟南方蓄满产流条件下,研究前期土壤含水量对红壤产流、产沙及溶质运移机制的影响。结果表明:前期土壤含水量为20%时,红壤黏结力最大且结构最稳定,初始产流时间延续最长,入渗水量最多,径流总量最少,泥沙流失量少,形成蓄满产流条件;前期含水量为饱和时,则反之。径流中溴离子流失量和流失率随着前期土壤含水量的变化而变化,其数量大小顺序为20%10%2%;磷的流失总量,无论是溶解态磷(DP)还是颗粒态磷,流失总量大小依次为饱和20%10%2%。     

三峡库区紫色土养分流失的试验研究

采用人工模拟降雨方法,对三峡区紫色土坡地的养分流失特点及影响因素进行了试验研究,初步认为,降雨导致坡地养分含量降低,这绝大部分是由泥沙流失引起的,泥沙中＜0.02mm的微团聚体和＜0.002mm的粘粒是养分流失的主要载体,紫色土坡地的分流失受土壤性质,降雨强度,坡度,植被覆盖等因素影响。     

粗质地土壤坡度和前期含水量对土壤侵蚀的影响

利用野外模拟降雨试验,研究了粗质地土壤裸地和苜蓿地在不同坡度(5°,15°,25°)、不同前期含水量(低、中、高)条件下坡面降雨产流、产沙的过程及其特征,以此探究该区退耕还草效益。结果表明:3种坡度条件下裸地和苜蓿地的产流过程在不同前期含水量下均为先增大后趋于稳定,不同坡度之间的径流量差异不显著,但泥沙流失量随着坡度的增大而显著增加,在降雨过程中先增大达到峰值趋于稳定波动,裸地的波动幅度大于苜蓿地。2种处理的前期含水量对径流量以及平均入渗率的影响均达显著水平,裸地在相同的坡度下,前期含水量由低水平增加到中水平、低水平增加到高水平,径流量分别增加38.2%~52.8%,39.7%~42.8%,苜蓿地径流量分别增加27.3%~77.8%,45.5%~91.1%。坡度对泥沙流失量及含沙率影响显著,在相同的前期含水量下,裸地由5°增加到15°,15°增加到25°的泥沙流失量分别增加96.3%~268.7%,6.9%~40.3%,苜蓿地的泥沙流失量分别增加81.1%~384.2%,61.7%~169.9%。在相同坡度和前期含水量下,苜蓿地的径流量和泥沙流失量均显著低于裸地。研究结果表明粗质地土壤前期含水量和坡度显著影响坡地土壤侵蚀过程和总量,植被不但因为冠层拦截而减少径流,而且因为耗水量增加,降低了土壤前期含水量而减水减沙。     

不同耕作模式下坡耕地次降雨径流量及径流泥沙颗粒机械组成规律

为确定坡耕地在不同耕作模式下,次降雨坡面径流量及径流泥沙中土壤颗粒机械组成规律,在天然降雨条件下,采用10°坡耕地,顺垄、横垄、免耕、秸秆覆盖耕作模式组合试验。结果表明:不同耕作模式试验小区的次降雨径流量顺序为裸地(LD)>顺垄传统耕作(Ts)>顺垄免耕(NTs)>顺垄免耕秸秆覆盖(NTSs)>横垄传统耕作(Th)>横垄免耕(NTh)>横垄免耕秸秆覆盖(NTSh);不同耕作模式下,坡面流失的泥沙颗粒机械组成均不同,其中LD流失的沙粒含量最多,Ts流失的粉粒含量最少,NTSh流失的粘粒含量最多;不同耕作模式,坡面流失土壤颗粒级配较均匀地为LD、NTs、Th、NTh;不同耕作模式产生的地表径流中,粒径在0.25～0.06mm的土壤流失量最多,当粒组的范围>0.06mm时,各粒组不同处理方式的土壤流失量顺序均为NTSh相似文献   

三峡库区不同坡度石灰土坡耕地磷素流失特征

[目的]研究石灰土坡耕地在不同坡度下的磷素流失规律,以期为三峡库区农业面源污染的防治和水资源保护提供基础数据。[方法]在三峡库区香溪河流域坡耕地修建径流小区进行原位人工降雨试验,在雨强1.5mm/min时,分析10°,15°和20°这3种坡度下坡耕地的径流量、泥沙浓度,以及地表径流中总磷、颗粒态磷,泥沙中总磷、速效磷浓度的变化趋势,并对径流泥沙进行无机磷分级试验。[结果]坡度越大,地表径流量、径流总量、泥沙流失量越大,初始产流时间越短,但坡度对径流中泥沙流失浓度的影响不显著;不同坡度下径流中总磷(TP)、颗粒态磷(PP)浓度都随着产流时间逐渐变小最后趋于平衡,其中径流中TP主要以PP形式流失,达到80%以上;泥沙中磷素流失主要以无机态磷为主,无机磷分级试验表明被植物高效利用的有效态磷和缓效态磷占无机磷总量的54.1%~57.8%。[结论]坡度主要通过影响地表径流总量和径流携带的泥沙总量而影响磷素流失总量,石灰土坡耕地磷素流失主要以径流泥沙携带为主。     

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