黄土高原典型植被群落对土壤表面电化学性质的

为探究黄土高原不同区域典型植被生长对土壤表面电化学性质的影响,以黄土高原自南向北的3个典型区域(永寿墚、坊塌、六道沟)及2种典型乡土草本植物(铁杆蒿(Artemisia gmelinii Web.)、长芒草(Stipa bungeanaTrin.))为研究对象,以退耕1年的撂荒地作为对照,通过土壤样品采集和土壤表面电化学性质的测定,研究典型植被群落对土壤表面电化学性质的影响及其空间差异。结果表明:(1)在黄土高原地区,相较于撂荒地,典型植被群落生长使土壤黏粒、粉粒、有机质含量增加,土壤pH、容重、砂粒含量减少;(2)同一区域内,相较于撂荒地,植被恢复促进了土壤阳离子交换量、比表面积的增加,减少了表面电荷密度和表面电场强度,其变化范围分别为6.69~24.34 cmol/kg,[JP]7.29~182.29 m²/g,0.08~2.04 C/m²,1.23~28.46 10⁸ V/m;不同区域间,同一植被群落下永寿墚土壤阳离子交换量、比表面积的增量最高,而六道沟土壤表面电化学性质的变化率最高,说明典型植被群落对土壤表面电化学性质的影响具有空间差异性;(3)典型植物群落下土壤粉粒含量和有机质含量与土壤表面电化学性质具有显著的相关性,其变化是影响黄土高原地区土壤电化学性质变化的主要原因,解释率分别为61.0%,11.1%。研究结果为认识黄土高原地区植被恢复及其调控作用提供参考。     

子午岭植被自然恢复过程中土壤颗粒分形特征

运用土壤分形理论,研究黄土高原子午岭土壤粒径和颗粒体积分形维数(Dv)随植被恢复年限的变化特征,以期为黄土高原植被恢复和水土保持建设提供科学指导。研究表明:(1)黏粒、粉粒、砂粒及Dv均在0~10 cm和10~20 cm两土层之间差异显著,在16 a和60 a两年限间差异显著;(2)Dv随土层变化较小(2.326~2.340),随年限变化较大(2.307~2.347),Dv整体符合正态分布u=2.33,δ=0.02;(3)Dv与黏粒和粉粒呈显著的正相关关系,与砂粒呈显著负相关关系;(4)Dv和(<0.05 mm)/(>0.05 mm)粒级比值可表征土壤水土流失的状况。     

有机质对三峡库区水体中土壤胶体颗粒凝聚影响机制研究

采用联合测定法和光散射技术分别研究了有机质对土壤颗粒表面电荷性质和水体中胶体颗粒凝聚过程的影响。结果表明:添加有机质能显著改变土壤表面电荷性质,使得土壤颗粒表面电荷数量降低6.8%,比表面积增加12.3%,使颗粒表面电荷密度减小,表面电位降低;进一步理论计算表明添加有机质降低了胶体颗粒间的静电排斥力,使得净引力增大,胶体颗粒更易发生凝聚。通过动态光散射分析水体中土壤胶体颗粒的凝聚特征,发现有机质去除前后的临界聚沉浓度(CCC)分别为91.6 mmol/L和139.3mmol/L,去除有机质土壤显著大于未去除有机质的土壤,相应浓度下的临界电位值计算结果均为-150mV左右,与颗粒间出现净引力的临界浓度值基本一致。有机质对水体中胶体颗粒凝聚特性的影响主要是通过改变颗粒表面性质使得颗粒间的相互作用发生变化而引起。     

不同种类氮肥对紫色土表面电化学性质的影响

以紫色土为研究对象,采用土柱淋溶方法,研究了不同种类氮肥对紫色土表面电化学性质的影响。结果表明:氮肥处理的紫色土表面电荷量较原土大,增加量在0.05～0.7 cmol kg-1;在低氮水平(100、200 mg kg-1)下,紫色土表面电荷量为尿素硫铵硝铵;而在高氮水平(300、400 mg kg-1)下,表面电荷量为硫铵尿素硝铵。与原土相比,施肥处理的紫色土比表面积有所增加,其中施用100 mg kg-1尿素的增加量最大,较原土增加了78.04%,且尿素处理对土壤比表面积的影响显著高于其余两种氮肥处理;而400 mg kg-1硫铵处理的增加量最少,只增加了0.06%。在同一个施氮水平下,硫铵处理的土壤表面电荷密度和电场强度最大,而尿素处理的最小;低氮施肥处理对电荷密度和电场强度的影响明显高于高氮施肥处理。可见,不同氮肥种类和施氮水平由于电解质体系类型和浓度的差异,引起土壤pH变化,最终对土壤电化学性质产生影响,从而改变土壤养分的保蓄性和有效性。在本试验条件下,非电解质体系在低浓度下能显著影响紫色土表面电化学性质,而强电解质在高浓度下影响效果较为明显。     

Cu(Ⅱ)、Pb(Ⅱ)和Cd(Ⅱ)在红壤胶体和非胶体颗粒上吸附的比较

研究了湖南长沙和海南昆仑的2种红壤胶体和非胶体的矿物组成、阳离子交换量(CEC)及Cu(Ⅱ)、Pb(Ⅱ)和Cd(Ⅱ)在土壤胶体和非胶体颗粒表面的吸附行为,以明确红壤胶体对土壤表面化学性质的贡献。X射线衍射分析结果表明,两种红壤胶体的矿物组成均以次生矿物为主,次生矿物又以1∶1型高岭石所占比例最高。土壤非胶体颗粒中石英等原生矿物含量较高。土壤铁铝氧化物主要富集在土壤胶体部分,土壤胶体颗粒中游离氧化铁和游离氧化铝含量明显高于非胶体颗粒,如湖南长沙红壤胶体颗粒游离氧化铁的含量为78.03 g kg~(-1),而非胶体颗粒中仅为9.93 g kg~(-1)。土壤胶体颗粒的CEC显著高于非胶体颗粒部分,2种红壤胶体的CEC约为非胶体的12倍。等温吸附实验结果表明,土壤胶体颗粒对Cu(Ⅱ)、Pb(Ⅱ)与Cd(Ⅱ)的最大吸附量和吸附亲和力均显著大于非胶体颗粒,湖南红壤胶体对3种重金属的吸附量大于海南红壤胶体,与土壤胶体的矿物组成和CEC大小一致。Cd(Ⅱ)在红壤胶体和非胶体颗粒表面主要发生静电吸附,而静电吸附和非静电吸附两种机制均对Cu(Ⅱ)和Pb(Ⅱ)的吸附有重要贡献。     

中性紫色土和砖红壤表面电荷性质的比较研究

采用恒流置换法测定了中性紫色土、砖红壤表面电荷总量、表面电位、表面电荷密度及表面电场强度,并讨论了电解质浓度、类型、pH以及环境温度对两种土壤电性参数影响的差异。结果表明:(1)在2:1型电解质体系(Mg(NO3)2)中,中性紫色土和砖红壤的表面电位分别约为-0.18V和-0.10 V。中性紫色和砖红壤表面电荷密度分别为-0.55 C m-2和-0.038C m-2;表面电场强度分别为-4.41E+08J m-1 C-1和-5.40E+07J m-1 C-1。紫色土的表面电荷密度、表面电场强度的值都比砖红壤高出约一个数量级。(2)两种土壤表面电荷密度随电解质浓度增加呈增加趋势,砖红壤的增加幅度要远大于中性紫色土;而表面电位随电解质浓度的增加有所降低,同样砖红壤的减小幅度要远大于中性紫色土。(3)pH对中性紫色土表面电荷性质的改变不是特别明显,而对砖红壤的表面电位和表面电荷密度都有很大程度的增加。     

2︰1和1︰1型黏土矿物胶体凝聚中Hofmeister效应的比较研究

土壤胶体是土壤具备肥力与生态功能的物质基础,土壤胶体凝聚与分散影响着土壤中一系列微观过程和宏观现象。采用动态光散射技术比较研究三种碱金属阳离子(Li+、Na+、K+)引发不同类型黏土矿物(2︰1型蒙脱石和1︰1型高岭石)胶体凝聚中的Hofmeister效应。研究发现,Li+、Na+、K+作用下蒙脱石、高岭石胶体的凝聚速率、临界聚沉浓度及活化能都存在明显差异,表现出强烈的Hofmeister效应。当电解质浓度为20 mmol·L–1时,K+引发蒙脱石胶体凝聚的速率为66.61 nm·min–1,远高于Na+、Li+引发蒙脱石胶体凝聚速率(5.93、4.41 nm·min–1);而与之对应的临界聚沉浓度则呈现K+(蒙脱石21.8 mmol·L–1、高岭石34.6 mmol·L–1)低于Na+(蒙脱石57.6 mmol·L–1、高岭石85.8 mmol·L–1)低于Li+(蒙脱石81.8 mmol·L–1、高岭石113.9 mmol·L–1)规律,胶体凝聚中活化能可合理解释此现象。电解质浓度为25 mmol·L–1时,Li+、Na+、K+引发蒙脱石、高岭石胶体凝聚的活化能分别为1.97 kT、1.43 kT、0 kT和2.94 kT、1.71 kT、0.49 kT,说明蒙脱石、高岭石胶体凝聚过程中Hofmeister效应序列均为Li+相似文献   

北江干流河岸带不同植被类型土壤粒径分形特征

结合野外调查与室内试验,以北江干流河岸带竹林、桉树林、混交林和草地土壤为对象,对比分析了不同植被类型土壤的颗粒组成与分形维数(D)特征及其与其他土壤理化性质的相关性。结果表明:北江干流河岸带土壤结构良好(D=2.79),质地均一,粒径分布均匀(粉粒、砂粒、黏粒百分比分别为40.66%,36.59%,22.75%),但随粒级增大,空间变异增强;D值与土壤颗粒组成显著相关,随黏粒和粉粒含量升高、砂粒含量降低,D值升高;不同植被类型土壤分形与颗粒组成差异明显,其中砂粒含量表现为竹林混交林草地桉树林,D值、粉粒和黏粒含量均表现为桉树林草地混交林竹林,竹林和桉树林对土壤结构的影响差异有显著(p0.05),其他植被类型影响差异不显著;D值、黏粒含量均与硝态氮(NO-3-N)和全磷(TP)含量分别呈显著负相关和显著正相关(p0.05)关系,土壤砂粒含量与含水量(SM)呈显著负相关(p0.05),土壤粉粒含量只与SM呈显著正相关,另外,D值、砂粒、粉粒和黏粒含量与总有机碳(TOC)和全氮(TN)的相关性均不显著。河岸带土壤受多种因素影响,其土壤理化性质间的相互关系与其他景观差异明显。     

氧化物研究的动态和展望

土壤粘粒中的氧化物包括铁、锰、铝、硅等氧化物及其水合物,代表土壤胶体中另一种重要的表面,属水合氧化物型。根据其表面性质有称为可变电荷表面,或可逆表面。     

喀斯特生态系统土壤表面电化学特征及其影响因子

以西南喀斯特典型石漠化生态系统土壤为研究对象,采用空间替代时间的方法,研究石漠化演替过程中土壤表面电化学特征演变规律及其与土壤理化性质的相关性。采用物质表面联合分析法对不同石漠化等级土壤表面电化学属性及进行测定。结果表明,土壤表面电荷密度、表面电场强度、比表面、表面电荷数量随石漠化强度的增加而下降,其变化范围分别为0.34 C·m-2~0.42 C·m-2、4.85×108 V·m-1~5.86×108 V·m-1、47.11 m2·g-1~53.16 m2·g-1、16.86 cmol·kg-1~22.82 cmol·kg-1,土壤表面电位随石漠化强度的增加而上升,其变化范围为-113.74 mV~ -115.10 mV;研究区黏土矿物组成为伊利石、高岭石、绿泥石、伊蒙混层、绿蒙混层,且以绿蒙混层为主;土壤黏粒、砂粒、非晶质氧化铝、胡敏酸是影响喀斯特石漠化地区土壤表面电化学属性变化的主要因素,解释率分别为48.3%、38.1%、13.0%、12.0%;土壤粒径组成、有机质组分和金属氧化物对土壤表面电化学特征影响由强到弱依次分别为：土壤黏粒>砂粒>粉粒,胡敏酸>有机碳>富里酸,非晶质氧化铝>游离氧化铁>非晶质氧化铁。本研究对中国西南喀斯特石漠化土壤管理与调控、退化植被恢复重建具有重要意义。     

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