不同雨强下喀斯特坡耕地养分流失特征研究

为揭示西南喀斯特坡耕地的养分流失特征,通过人工模拟降雨试验,研究不同雨强下喀斯特坡耕地养分流失的过程机制及特征。结果表明:(1)喀斯特坡耕地产流产沙从地下过渡到地表的临界雨强在30 mm·h~(-1)～50 mm·h~(-1)之间,产流量和产沙量均随降雨强度的增大而增大,且产流产沙主要以地表为主。(2)小雨强(15 mm·h~(-1)和30 mm·h~(-1))下,喀斯特坡耕地TN、TP、TK主要通过地下径流进行流失,大雨强(≥50 mm·h~(-1))下,喀斯特坡耕地TN、TP、TK地表流失比例为地下漏失的3倍左右;TP径流流失量及流失浓度均随雨强的增大而增大,TN和TK径流流失量及流失浓度却随雨强的增大变化不明显。(3)喀斯特坡耕地泥沙养分流失也主要是以地表流失为主,地表流失量较地下高出约5.03倍,且泥沙中流失的养分浓度均大于径流中流失的养分浓度;地表泥沙养分富集率整体高于地下漏失部分;地表、地下泥沙养分流失总量与养分流失模数均随降雨强度的增大而增大。(4)喀斯特坡耕地径流总量与径流养分(TP、TK)、泥沙养分(TN、TP、TK)均呈极显著正相关关系(P0.05),径流总量与径流TN呈现极显著正相关关系(P0.01)。研究结果可为喀斯特区坡耕地养分流失防治及面源污染治理等提供理论参考依据。     

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。     

不同雨强和坡度条件下紫色土养分流失规律研究

采用室内模拟降雨装置,研究了三峡库区紫色土在不同雨强和坡度条件下的养分流失规律。结果表明,紫色土坡面流失养分主要由径流和泥沙携带,其中径流养分含量与雨强和坡度无关,但与产流过程一致。泥沙中养分含量与雨强无关,但随坡度增加而降低;泥沙养分含量与产沙量过程无关,但其流失量与产沙量过程一致。泥沙中各养分含量略大于降雨前表土养分含量,远大于径流养分含量,但由于径流中以速效养分为主,故径流携带的养分流失量不容忽视。     

雨强对三峡库区黄色石灰土养分流失的影响

采用室内模拟降雨装置研究了三峡库区黄色石灰土的养分流失规律。雨强对径流的养分浓度和泥沙的养分浓度无关 ,但可影响其浓度峰值出现时间 ,并与养分流失量呈正相关 ;径流中养分浓度远低于泥沙养分浓度 ,坡面养分流失以泥沙携带为主 ,但由于径流中养分以可溶态速效养分为主 ,径流携带的养分流失不容忽视     

不同管理方式竹林坡地降雨径流中氮磷流失特性模拟试验

针对不同管理方式竹林坡地水土流失过程中携带养分流失的特征,于2008年和2009年在浙江省临安市和安吉县,分别选择用材竹林坡地和挖笋竹林坡地,建立径流小区(面积3 m×1.5 m,坡度20°),设计用材林不锄草、清鞭和施肥,笋林地除草清鞭每年1次和2年1次、每年施肥1次,共3种管理方式,采用人工模拟降雨的试验手段,设定6个降雨强度(0.53～1.90 mm/min),定时采集径流泥沙样,测试径流中的总氮(TN)和总磷(TP)含量,研究不同管理方式下竹林地N和P的流失过程特征,分析流失差异的原因.结论如下:(1)在相同管理方式下,径流中TN和TP的流失量随雨强在增加,以雨强为1.01 mm/min为界,小于该雨强时增加量很微弱,大于这一雨强时增加速率很快;(2)在相同雨强作用下,笋竹林地径流中TN的流失量是用材竹林地的3～7倍,但径流中TP的流失量却略小于用材竹林地的流失量;(3)泥沙中TP的流失量,笋竹林地是用材竹林地的数百倍;(4)在N和P随径流泥沙的流失过程中,产流前期浓度起主要作用,后期径流量和产沙量起决定作用.研究结果可为竹林地管理、笋用竹林地锄草、清鞭和施肥的科学合理安排提供参考依据.     

坡面氮素流失的坡度和雨强效应模拟研究

为了研究坡面径流和壤中流中全氮(TN)的流失特征,探索坡度和雨强对TN流失的影响,以风化花岗岩母质发育的土壤为研究对象,选定坡度(5°,8°,15°,25°)和降雨强度(60,90,120,150mm/h)作为可变量,采用原状土搬迁的方式,在室内设计的径流槽上进行人工模拟降雨试验,设计试验降雨时长为坡面径流产流后90min,壤中流水样收集延续直至无出流为止。结果表明:(1)坡面径流TN流失浓度在产流初期快速下降,随雨强的减小或坡度的增大而增大,产流后期浓度趋于稳定且差距不大。(2)壤中流TN流失浓度均明显高于坡面径流,其流失过程规律为"上升—下降—略有上升—平稳",总体上随雨强的减小或坡度的增大而增大。(3)坡面径流和壤中流的TN流失量均随雨强或坡度的增大而增大。壤中流是坡面TN流失的主要途径,流失比例可达91.26%~99.61%。坡面径流中TN流失量占坡面TN总流失量的比例随雨强的增大而增大。(4)雨强、流量与坡面径流、壤中流TN总流失量均呈极显著正相关,而坡度只与壤中流TN总流失量呈显著正相关。(5)在雨强90mm/h与120mm/h之间存在一个临界雨强,超过这个临界雨强,坡面径流TN流失量及其占总流失量的比例都会大幅上升。     

侵蚀性风化花岗岩坡地壤中流携氮磷流失动态模拟

[目的]探究侵蚀环境下,风化花岗岩残积坡地土壤氮磷流失特征以及坡面径流和壤中流携带氮磷流失的强度和贡献率,为不同侵蚀环境及生态环境脆弱条件下,坡地氮磷流失规律的试验研究及防治提供理论依据。[方法]采用原状土搬迁,室内人工模拟降雨的方法,设计2个坡度(8°和25°),5个降雨强度(30,60,90,120,150mm/min),通过坡度与雨强的多重组合试验,在测试浓度与径流量分析的基础上,研究氮磷流失强度及在坡面径流和壤中流中的分配。[结果](1)在强烈侵蚀的坡地,土壤结构性较差,漏水漏肥现象严重,壤中流随携带的氮磷流失比重很大,壤中流携带的TN流失量均占到总流失量的90%以上,TP稍次之;(2)TN随径流的流失量远大于TP的流失量,径流中TN与TP总流失量的比值最高能达到160倍;(3)雨强对氮磷流失量的影响大于坡度的影响,径流量的影响大于浓度的影响。(4)雨强对氮磷流失的影响存在2个转折,在60mm/min附近存在一个蓄满产流和超渗产流的雨强分界,在90mm/min左右,出现一个侵蚀性雨强的转折。[结论]强烈的侵蚀影响土壤养分的流失方式及流失通道的比配,壤中流所携带氮磷流失所占比重很大,进而会影响到地下水的污染问题,加强残积土母质坡地土壤的侵蚀防治,是地表水和地下水面源污染控制及土壤养分流失减少的根本。     

海南岛三大流域农业土壤源污染物流失特征研究

采用径流场结合人工模拟降雨方式,研究了海南岛万泉河、南渡江和昌化江三大流域土壤中氮、磷、有机质等营养物质的流失特征。结果表明,三大流域土壤径流系数和泥沙流失速率的大小顺序为：暴雨〉大雨〉中雨;相同雨强条件下,万泉河的径流系数与南渡江相近,昌化江最小;泥沙流失速率大小顺序为：万泉河〉南渡江〉昌化江;雨强对总磷（TP）流失速率的影响达到极显著水平,磷随径流流失以颗粒磷（PP）为主;氮在雨强较小时以可溶氮（DN）流失为主,当达到暴雨时则以颗粒氮（PN）流失为主;雨强越大,地表径流中COD、TN、DN和PN流失速率越高。三大流域区土壤养分随泥沙流失特征相似,不同雨强条件下,三大流域的总氮、总磷和有机质流失速率的规律一致,雨强越大,流失速率越高;在同一雨强条件下,三流域区总氮、总磷和有机质随泥沙流失速率为：昌化江〉万泉河〉南渡江。影响面源流失的主要因素为坡度、雨强、土质等。     

次降雨条件下鲁中南山区砂质壤土赤松林地产流与氮磷流失特征

为了研究水源地上游林地产流及其氮磷运移规律,采用人工模拟次降雨试验方法,选择鲁中南山区泰安市黄前水库上游药乡小流域赤松林地作为研究对象,以荒草地为对照,对其地表径流和壤中流及其氮磷流失特征进行研究。结果表明:(1)次降雨条件下赤松林地地表径流量低于荒草地,而荒草地壤中流量低于赤松林地,赤松林地及荒草地土壤入渗量与植被覆盖度呈正相关。随着降雨的进行,赤松林地和荒草地地表径流产流量不断增加且趋于稳定,壤中流产流时间比地表径流晚,径流量较平稳。(2)次降雨条件下地表径流全氮(TN)流失量呈现初期输出浓度较高,随降雨的进行,输出浓度减少并逐渐趋于稳定状态,壤中流呈现相对稳定的状态。TN流失量与输出浓度呈正相关。赤松林地地表径流及壤中流TN流失量均低于荒草地。(3)次降雨条件下赤松林地地表径流全磷(TP)的输出浓度与流失量呈正相关;赤松林地地表径流及壤中流TP流失量均低于荒草地的。(4)赤松林地及荒草地前期降雨TN、TP总流失量均低于次降雨的;次降雨TN总流失量是前期降雨的1.11倍;次降雨TP总流失量是前期降雨的1.15倍。同时,次降雨赤松林地TN、TP流失量均低于荒草地的。因此,与荒草地相比,赤松林地具有较好的调控氮磷流失的作用。     

喀斯特裸露坡耕地径流养分流失试验研究

为揭示雨强对喀斯特坡耕地养分流失的影响,运用可调坡度、地下孔(裂)隙度试验钢槽装填土石模拟喀斯特裸露坡耕地,采用人工模拟降雨的方法研究不同雨强下喀斯特裸坡径流养分流失特征。结果表明:(1)雨强为15,30mm/h时地表不产流,雨强为50mm/h时地表有产流;试验雨强下地下孔(裂)隙均有径流产生。(2)地表径流中全氮和全钾流失量均随雨强增大而增大,全磷流失量则先增大后减小;地下径流中全氮流失量随雨强增大呈先增大后减小趋势,全钾流失量与雨强正相关,全磷流失量与雨强关系不明显。(3)雨强为30,50mm/h时养分以地下孔(裂)隙流失为主,其贡献率为100%;地下径流中全氮流失量对其总流失量的贡献率表现为:15mm/h30mm/h50mm/h70mm/h90mm/h,全磷与全钾为:15mm/h30mm/h50mm/h90mm/h70mm/h。(4)地表径流量、全氮、全钾流失量和地下全钾流失量与雨强均呈显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.926,0.919,0.982和0.955。15,30mm/h雨强下,径流养分仅通过地下孔(裂)隙流失,50mm/h及以上雨强时养分伴以地表径流流失,且地下流失量大于地表流失量。     

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