华北典型区域土壤耕作方式对土壤特性和作物产量的影响

华北平原是我国重要的小麦玉米种植区,长期土壤旋耕免耕和秸秆全量还田带来耕层变浅、犁底层变厚和上移、土壤养分表聚等现象,通过耕作方式改变,解决上述问题对维持区域粮食生产有重要意义。试验以冬小麦-夏玉米轮作系统为研究对象,分别在代表华北平原高产区的栾城试验区和代表中低产区的南皮试验区进行,设置冬小麦播种前进行土壤深耕、深松、窄深松3种处理,以生产上常用的旋耕为对照。所有处理夏玉米季均采用土壤免耕播种,测定项目包括土壤容重、作物根系、作物产量和水分利用效率。结果表明,不同耕作方式对土壤特性和作物产量的影响具有区域差异。南皮试验区土壤深耕(松)显著地(P0.05)提高了作物产量,深耕、深松和窄深松处理的冬小麦产量比旋耕分别增加16.5%、19.3%和13.1%,夏玉米产量分别增加17.3%、16.2%和21.9%,周年产量分别增加16.9%、17.6%和17.8%;深耕、深松和窄深松处理间作物产量差异不显著。栾城试验区冬小麦、夏玉米产量和周年产量各处理之间差异不显著。土壤深耕、深松、窄深松和旋耕均能降低0～20 cm土层土壤紧实度和土壤容重。冬小麦播种后,与土壤耕作前比较,土壤深耕、深松和旋耕处理土壤紧实度南皮试验区分别平均降低71.6%和68.2%,栾城试验区分别降低88.8%和?7.7%,常用的旋耕模式在栾城试区没有降低土壤紧实度。小麦收获时不同耕作方式0～40cm土层的土壤容重均低于土壤耕作前的土壤容重,至夏玉米收获时不同耕作处理的土壤容重与耕作前基本一致,不同耕作处理对土壤容重的影响差异不显著。在南皮试验区, 3种耕作方式与旋耕相比,均显著提高了冬小麦和夏玉米水分利用效率;在栾城试验区,各处理冬小麦和夏玉米水分利用效率差异不显著。本研究结果显示在华北平原高产区连续实施土壤旋耕模式没有影响作物产量,而在中低产区实施土壤深耕或者深松模式更利于作物产量提高。     

固定道保护性耕作节能效果试验研究

固定道保护性耕作限制了机具对土壤的普遍性压实，提高了拖拉机牵引性能，降低了能耗。在北京郊区青云店镇试验区，设置固定道及非固定道保护性耕作对照区。通过播种机开沟器阻力正交试验及牵引阻力测试试验，研究固定道保护性耕作对播种、深松作业的牵引力及油耗的影响。试验表明：在0．05的置信水平下，对比作业速度、深度租土壤坚实度因素，土壤坚实度因素因田间分布均匀性较低，对开沟阻力波动影响最为显著；非固定道保护性耕作因轮胎压实，破坏了表层土壤均匀性，造成作业负荷变动大，加剧燃油消耗；相对于非固定道保护性耕作，按华北小麦-玉米一年两熟地区两年一深松模式估算，固定道保护性耕作仅播种、深松两项作业一年每公顷节省15．7L柴油；固定道保护性耕作因减少了压实面积，从而可以提高拖拉机田间作业的牵引性能，减小机具的作业阻力，降低燃油消耗，达到减少压实、节约能耗的作用。     

深松与压实对红壤坡耕地土壤物理性质的影响

以红壤坡耕地为研究对象,研究了深松和机械压实对土壤物理性质的影响。结果表明:深松改善了除土壤最小持水量和毛管孔隙度外的土壤物理性质,并对表层土壤的改善效果较好,进而提高了红薯产量;机械压实则对除土壤紧实度和最小持水量外的土壤物理性质产生了负面影响,影响深度达30 cm左右,造成红薯产量降低。0~20 cm土层土壤容重、土壤孔隙度及土壤持水量之间呈显著或极显著相关;20~40 cm土层土壤容重、毛管孔隙度与土壤紧实度分别呈极显著和显著相关性,土壤持水量与土壤非毛管孔隙度、总孔隙度呈显著或极显著正相关。可见,避免机械压实并对深松耕作管理模式进行优化,是缓解红壤坡耕地农业生产与生态破坏的突破口之一。     

麦前深松对夏玉米土壤物理性状和生长特性的影响

为探明华北地区深松耕作方式对夏玉米生育期土壤物理性状和水分利用效率的影响,在河南省新乡采用冬小麦播前深松耕作(PS)、传统旋耕(CK)2种耕作方式,对夏玉米各生育期间的土壤粒径组成、容重、土壤紧实度、夏玉米生长发育指标及水分利用效率等进行了研究。结果表明:PS处理下土壤粒径组成无明显变化,全生育期PS较CK处理0—40cm土层土壤容重降低0.63%~3.85%,孔隙度提高0.27%~3.67%;拔节期PS较CK处理20—30,30—40cm土层土壤紧实度显著降低37.76%,22.26%;全生育期PS处理的土壤含水率、夏玉米株高、叶面积指数、干物质积累量均高于CK,产量提高了9.50%,穗长和穗粒重提高了4.18%和6.50%(p0.05),水分利用效率提高5.08%,节水增产效果显著。     

固定道保护性耕作的试验研究

通过压实试验,分析了无压实以及小型拖拉机、中型拖拉机和联合收获机压实等处理方式的土壤容重、入渗率和耕作阻力。在此基础上,进行了两年的固定道耕作试验,结果表明,机具随机进地行走会造成对土壤的严重压实,降低土壤水分入渗,增加作业能耗,而固定道能够改善土壤结构,提高土壤蓄水能力,减轻地表径流,提高土壤作业适时性和准确性,在目前固定道占地20%的情况下,总产量没有减少     

深翻－旋耕轮耕与有机肥配施对黑土农田土壤物理性质的影响

针对东北松嫩平原中南部黑土区玉米带农田长期旋耕导致耕层变浅、容重增大等问题,开展深翻-旋耕轮耕模式改善土壤物理性质的研究。试验设置连年旋耕配施化肥（RT）、连年旋耕配施化肥与有机肥（RM）、深翻－旋耕轮耕配施化肥（DT）和深翻－旋耕轮耕配施化肥与有机肥（DM）4个处理,分析0 ~ 45 cm土壤含水量、容重、紧实度、团聚体的变化及10 cm、20 cm、30 cm各深度处土壤温度变化情况。结果表明,与RT处理相比,DT处理能够显著提高玉米苗期和拔节期20 cm、30 cm深度土壤温度,增加玉米各生育时期15 ~ 45 cm土层土壤含水量,并且显著降低土壤容重和紧实度,提高了30 ~ 45 cm土层 > 0.25 mm水稳性团聚体的比例;同时DM处理能够增加苗期、收获期各土层含水量,且对0 ~ 45 cm土壤容重均有显著降低作用;而RM处理仅使0 ~ 15 cm土层容重有降低,但并不显著,且对深层土壤容重无明显影响。相关分析表明,在0 ~ 15 cm土层中,土壤含水量、紧实度、容重与温度呈负相关关系（P < 0.05）;在0 ~ 45 cm土层中,土壤容重与土壤紧实度呈极显著正相关关系（P < 0.05）。DM的耕作模式能降低土壤容重和紧实度,有效提高土壤温度、土壤含水量以及 > 0.25 mm 水稳性团聚体的比例,能够较好的改善土壤耕层物理性质。     

不同耕作深度对红壤坡耕地耕层土壤特性的影响

红壤坡耕地不同耕作深度对耕层质量和作物产量具有重要影响。以江西红壤坡耕地示范区耕层为研究对象,从土壤属性角度,对红壤坡耕地不同耕作深度处理下垂直深度土壤水分、容重、孔隙度、土壤紧实度、土壤抗剪强度、土壤有机质、有效磷和速效钾等进行分析。结果表明:(1)不同耕作深度对土壤孔隙度、饱和含水量和田间持水量的影响为免耕翻耕20 cm翻耕10 cm常规耕作翻耕30 cm,对容重的影响为翻耕30 cm常规耕作翻耕10 cm免耕翻耕20 cm;与常规耕作比较,翻耕30 cm使土壤饱和含水量、田间持水量和土壤孔隙度分别提高了18.17%,12.67%,5.94%,土壤容重降低6.90%。(2)不同耕作深度下土壤紧实度表现为翻耕30 cm翻耕10 cm翻耕20 cm免耕常规耕作,土壤抗剪强度表现为翻耕30 cm常规耕作翻耕10 cm免耕翻耕20 cm;与常规耕作对照,翻耕30 cm使土壤紧实度和抗剪强度分别降低27.07%和24.82%。(3)土壤有机质含量以翻耕20 cm处理下最高(13.48 g/kg),免耕处理含量最低(9.39 g/kg),土壤速效养分主要集中分布在0-20 cm土层,但20-40 cm土层中翻耕处理较免耕处理有不同程度的增加,以翻耕20 cm和常规耕作表现显著。(4)主成分分析结果表明,翻耕30 cm处理对红壤坡耕地土壤的综合改善效果最好。研究结果可为红壤坡耕地耕层土壤改善和合理耕层构建提供技术参考。     

耕作与施肥措施对江淮地区白土理化性质及水稻产量的影响

针对连续旋耕白土田耕层浅薄、下层土壤黏重紧实、养分分布不均衡等问题,探索适合于白土稻田的耕作与施肥措施,以进一步提高江淮地区白土生产力和水稻产量水平。设置2种耕作方式(旋耕和翻耕)及3种施肥措施(单施化肥、化肥+有机肥、化肥+秸秆还田),通过大田定位试验研究不同耕作方式与施肥措施对白土稻田土壤理化性质、水稳性团聚体分布以及水稻产量的影响。结果表明,相较于旋耕,翻耕降低0—10cm土层土壤养分含量,而使10—20cm土层有机质、全氮、有效磷和速效钾含量分别提高3.2%～8.8%,4.5%～9.2%,5.2%～8.2%和8.3%～17.7%。增施有机肥或秸秆还田使土壤有机质和速效钾含量较单施化肥处理分别提高1.3%～8.6%和4.1%～21.1%。翻耕方式下10—20cm土层土壤容重较旋耕降低14.4%～19.5%,土壤大团聚体比例在0—10,10—20cm土层则较旋耕分别降低3.0%～5.4%和3.5%～9.7%;在翻耕的基础上增施有机肥或秸秆还田土壤容重较单施化肥降低2.1%～6.6%,大团聚体比例则提高2.8%～8.4%。翻耕有利于水稻产量的提高,较旋耕的增产幅度在11.7%～18.0%,增施有机肥或秸秆还田使水稻产量提高1.7%～7.5%。因此,江淮地区连续多年旋耕的白土田进行适宜翻耕结合秸秆还田或增施有机肥可改善0—20cm土层土壤理化性质,有利于水稻产量的提升。     

伊犁河谷栗钙土区不同产量雨养麦田土壤物理性质比较研究

以伊犁河谷栗钙土区雨养麦田为研究对象,采取田间调查、取样和实验室测定的方法,研究伊犁河谷不同产量水平栗钙土土壤物理指标变化特征,为该地区麦田土壤物理性质的改善和耕层构建提供理论支撑。结果表明:不同产量麦田土壤容重、紧实度从0~10 cm土层到20~40 cm土层均呈现增加的趋势;土壤总孔隙度、水稳性团聚体含量变化趋势刚好与土壤容重、紧实度相反,即0~10 cm> 10~20 cm> 20~40 cm。高产田土壤容重、土壤总孔隙度、紧实度、土壤三相比R值、水稳性团聚体各项指标均优于中、低产田。因此,通过土壤培肥、改进耕作措施改善土壤物理性质十分必要。     

连续深松对黑土结构特性和有机碳及碳库指数影响

为阐明连续深松对黑土结构特性及土壤碳库的影响,于2016～2017年设置旋耕(CK)、浅松1年(QS1)、浅松2年(QS2)、深松1年(SS1)、深松2年(SS2)、超深松1年(CS1)、超深松2年(CS2)7个处理,研究了土壤紧实度、容重、孔隙度、总有机碳含量、活性有机碳含量及碳库指数变化。结果表明:深松可显著降低犁底层土壤紧实度。相同深松深度下,深松2年各处理紧实度低于深松1年。深松处理较旋耕显著降低0～40 cm土层土壤容重,提高土壤孔隙度。深松2年各处理较深松1年可提高20～40 cm土层土壤容重、降低土壤孔隙度。各深松处理0～20 cm土层土壤有机碳含量、活性有机碳含量与CK差异不显著,20～40 cm土层显著增加。相同深松深度下,深松2年各处理较深松1年可提高0～10 cm土层土壤有机碳含量。深松较旋耕可提高土壤碳库管理指数。相同深松深度下,增加深松年限可降低0～10 cm、提高10～40 cm土层土壤碳库管理指数。深松较旋耕可有效降低土壤容重、紧实度,提高土壤孔隙度,改善土壤结构,有利于提高0～10 cm土层土壤有机碳转化效率及深层土壤有机碳含量,各处理以CS2表现最优。     

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