雷竹对铅胁迫的生理响应及其修复效率研究

通过水培和土培实验,分析雷竹在铅胁迫下对铅的吸收、富集、转运能力及其光合水平变化和超微结构表征。结果表明,叶、茎、根在水培铅含量为100μmol/L条件下最大富集量分别为6 706,3 710,26 388mg/kg;在土培铅含量为1 200mg/kg条件下叶、茎、根最大富集量分别为63,101,595mg/kg;通过观察雷竹叶绿素荧光结果发现,Y(Ⅱ)与ETR值降低,说明铅胁迫抑制雷竹光合产物的形成和电子传递的能力,但是对植物的生物量影响不显著;通过透射电镜(TEM)观察铅胁迫下雷竹叶片的超微结构,发现低浓度的铅对植物组织破坏不明显,高浓度的铅使雷竹部分细胞壁变形、叶绿体膜消失或部分断裂,片层结构模糊不清。     

思茅松中幼龄人工林的生物量碳密度及其动态变化

 通过样地实测生物量和采用重铬酸钾法测定植物碳索含量,研究了思茅松中幼龄人工林生物量碳密度的分配特征及随林龄的动态变化规律。结果表明：1)林龄为3-5、6-10、11 -20和21 -30 a思茅松人工林的生物量碳密度分别为（20.15 ±3.09)、(27. 24 ±2.25)、（94. 89 ±9. 90)和147. 58 t/hm2。随林齡增长,乔木层、枯落物层和林分的碳密度显著增加,灌木层和草本层的碳密度有所减少。林分、乔木层和枯落物层的生物量碳密度随林龄的变化用逻辑斯蒂模型可实现良好拟合,而灌木层和草本层拟合效果差。2)林龄为3-5、6-10、11 -20和263思茅松人工林的年均固碳量分别为（4. 92 ±0.63)、（3. 52 ±0.25〉、（6. 44 ±0.30)和5. 68 t/(hm2·a)0乔木层的年均固碳量与林龄存在显著正相关,灌木层和草本层的年均固碳请与林龄存在显著负相关,林分年均固碳量与林龄呈较弱的正相关。乔木层和草本层的年均固碳量与林龄的关系以逻辑斯蒂模型拟合效果较好,灌木层年均固碳量和林龄关系以Gauss模型拟合效果较好,林分的年均固碳量与林龄的拟合效果差。     

不同种植年限下雷竹林土壤的有机质转化

大量有机物料投入下的雷竹强度经营方式下,了解其土壤有机质的转化有一定的现实意义。本研究采集分析了不同种植年限下雷竹林土壤的有机质,用13C核磁共振方法分析有机质组成,并通过分解培养试验了解土壤有机质的稳定状况。结果表明,雷竹种植初期土壤有机质较对照稻田有明显下降,但在覆盖经营后则极大地提高了土壤有机质含量,每年每亩表层有机质增加达到616 kg,占投入物料的23.8%;核磁共振分析及分解试验表明土壤增加的有机质其稳定性也有所提高,说明雷竹林经营中有机质可被有效固定,在土壤固碳方面具有一定的意义。     

添加无定形铝氧化物对雷竹林土壤有机质矿化的影响

土壤中无定形铝氧化物对有机质的存在有很大的影响,由于雷竹特殊的经营方式导致土壤中有机质快速积累,为了解无定形铝氧化物对土壤中快速积累的有机质分解产生的影响,本文通过往不同种植年限的雷竹林土壤中增加不同量的无定形铝氧化物(0、2、10、20、40 g/kg)以及室内密闭培养法测定CO2的释放量来反映有机质的分解状况,以便了解无定形铝氧化物对快速增加的雷竹林土壤有机质分解的影响,了解集约经营下的雷竹林土壤有机质的变化趋势及稳定性.结果表明,无定形铝氧化物的加入可显著抑制土壤有机质的分解,当无定形铝氧化物的加入量为40 g/kg时,对0年(水稻)、1年、5年、15年雷竹林土壤有机质分解的抑制率分别为56.97%、60.75%、58.87%、44.25%;0年(水稻)土壤加入无定形铝氧化物0、2、10、20、40 g/kg,对有机质分解的抑制效率分别为7.49%、38.04%、50.79%、56.98%.无定形铝氧化物对有机质分解的抑制效率随其加入量的增加而提高,但随土壤有机质含量的增加而下降.     

不同施肥对雷竹林渗漏水中可溶性有机碳、氮流失的影响

【目的】雷竹(Phyllostachys praecox f. preveynalis)是一种在我国亚热带地区被广泛引种栽培的优良笋用竹。为了提高竹笋产量,农民不合理地大量施用化肥,已造成土壤盐化、酸化,地力破坏,导致土壤磷钾大量残留,特别是氮磷的大量流失已造成了周边水体严重污染。虽然土壤DOC和DON在土壤全碳、全氮含量中所占的比例很小,但却是土壤有机质中最重要和最活跃的部分。因此本研究的目的旨在通过全年动态监测雷竹林渗漏水中溶解性有机碳(DOC)和溶解性有机氮(DON)浓度的变化,探明减量施用化肥和有机肥对减少雷竹林氮渗漏淋失负荷的作用,以便为解决雷竹生产上的面源污染问题提供理论依据。【方法】试验设置了5个处理为对照(CK)、常规施肥(CF)、减量有机肥(DO)、减量无机肥(DI)和减量有机无机肥(DOI),3次重复,随机区组设计,小区面积为100 m2。试验于5月18日、 9月7日、11月9日分别施用肥料总量的40%、30%和30%,施肥后均进行浅翻,深度5 cm左右。【结果】 不同施肥雷竹林中DOC及DON平均浓度为33.7~45.5 mg/L和6.6~12.6 mg/L,DOC和DON的渗漏流失负荷为84.5~138.2 kg/hm2和17.2~46.3 kg/hm2。DOC渗漏流失负荷大小顺序为常规施肥(138.2 kg/hm2)减量有机肥(133.7 kg/hm2)减量无机肥(120.9 kg/hm2)不施肥(99.8 kg/hm2)减量有机无机肥(84.5 kg/hm2),而DON渗漏流失负荷大小顺序为减量有机肥(46.3 kg/hm2)常规施肥(35.3 kg/hm2）减量有机无机肥(34.8 kg/hm2)减量无机肥(31.1 kg/hm2)不施肥(17.2 kg/hm2)。渗漏水中DOC(mg/L)与DON(mg/L)之间不存在显著相关性。【结论】大幅减少化肥和有机肥用量,并推广有机肥和无机肥配施,不仅维持了雷竹竹笋的较高产量,还能减少土壤养分损失,具有经济和环境双重效益,是雷竹合理施肥的发展方向。     

燕山山地华北落叶松人工林碳密度及分配特征

为了定量研究燕山山地不同林龄华北落叶松人工林的碳密度特征及其分配格局,为森林碳汇服务功能提升提供科学依据。以河北省木兰围场国有林场管理局新丰林场3种林龄(11,21,32a)华北落叶松人工林为研究对象,基于9块样地本底调查和27株标准木树干解析数据,采用标准木回归分析法、样方收获法、土壤剖面取样法和重铬酸钾—浓硫酸氧化外加热法等,获取不同林龄华北落叶松人工林的碳密度,分析了其特征及变化趋势。结果表明:不同林龄华北落叶松人工林生态系统总碳密度表现为32a(97.29t/hm~2)21a(90.56t/hm~2)11a(44.57t/hm~2),以土壤层和乔木层为主要碳库,二者之和所占比例高达52.59%~71.51%;随着年龄的增长乔木层碳积累能力逐步增强,11,21,32a华北落叶松人工林乔木层碳密度分别为14.27,38.57,42.37t/hm~2,且达到了显著性差异水平;3个林龄华北落叶松各器官的碳密度均表现为干枝根皮叶,各器官贡献率之间均达到了极显著性差异。其中,树干贡献率最大;随着林龄的增加,树干的碳密度分配比例增加,树枝、树叶、树皮的分配比例下降,而根系的分配比例相对稳定;林冠下层碳密度大小呈现出凋落物层草本层灌木层的规律,且随着林龄的增加而增加;0—60cm土壤层碳密度表现为随着土层的加深,碳密度逐步降低,表层有机碳含量最高,且随着林龄的增加而增加,不同林龄间存在显著性差异;选择胸径、树高两因素构建乔木层二元可加性碳密度预测模型效果较好。可见,华北落叶松人工林碳密度的变化主要受到其自身生长发育的影响。同时,也受到人工抚育产生的密度变化的影响。     

不同施肥对雷竹林径流及渗漏养分流失规律的影响

为探明减量施肥和有机肥的施用对雷竹氮、磷流失的影响,在浙江省临安市雷竹产区,设置对照(CK)、常规施肥(CF)、减量无机施肥(DI)和减量有机无机施肥(DOI)4个施肥处理.通过建立径流场和土壤渗漏水收集装置,研究不同施肥雷竹林的氮、磷流失规律.结果表明,施肥后采集的水样中氮、磷浓度都有所提升,随着时间的推移而有所下降;不同施肥雷竹林径流水中,总氮、总磷浓度分别为5.61～10.22mg/L和0.99～1.93 mg/L,总氮平均浓度为CF＞DOI＞DI＞CK,总磷平均浓度为DOI＞DI＞CF＞CK;渗漏水中氮、磷浓度分别为32.23～111.54 mg/L和1.05～5.06 mg/L,氮平均浓度为CF＞DI＞DOI＞CK,磷平均浓度为DI＞CF＞ DOI＞ CK.渗漏小区中,DI和DOI处理氮流失量相对于CF处理分别减少了58.35,158.96 kg/hm2,即19.14％,52.13％;磷流失量分别减少了22.53％和59.66％;径流小区中,DI和DOI处理全氮流失量相对于CF处理分别减少了2.11,1.04 kg/hm2,即46.85％,23.12％,DOI处理全磷的流失量相对于CF处理增加了0.28 kg/hm2.     

太湖源地区雷竹林氮磷径流输出与拦截控制

农业面源污染是导致水体富营养化的重要原因之一,雷竹生产是临安市的支柱产业之一,而雷竹覆盖技术下的高施肥量容易导致水体污染负荷过高,因此,控制雷竹林氮磷流失极为重要。通过田间原位设置4种不同的生态拦截方法,观测春夏季雷竹林土壤氮磷径流输出,探讨了不同拦截方式对径流中不同形态氮磷的拦截效果。结果表明,4种不同拦截小区中,颗粒物运载的氮是径流损失的主要氮形态,施肥量和雨强是影响氮磷流失量的主要因素。以原生雷竹林作为拦截带的小区氮磷径流损失量最高,分别达到1 006.2和387.6 g/hm2;通过比较,黑麦草对氮磷径流损失通量拦截效果要优于其它拦截带,其氮磷损失通量分别为777.1和228.9 g/hm2;黑麦草+竹炭拦截小区的氮磷流失量分别为827.7和242.1 g/hm2;竹林+竹炭拦截的径流损失量分别为1 098.6和366.5 g/hm2,竹炭对竹林的氮磷拦截效果不佳。雷竹林地氮磷径流损失风险不大,其中氮的流失量要远高于磷。4种不同拦截小区中,生态拦截草带对控制雷竹林地土壤氮磷的径流迁移效果最佳。     

集约经营下雷竹林土壤酸化的初步研究

集约经营的雷竹有很高的经济效益,然而长期种植的雷竹林土壤酸化严重,影响了雷竹的可持续经营。研究通过采集浙江临安两样地不同雷竹种植年限的土壤,分析土壤酸化指标,以了解雷竹集约种植下土壤的酸化过程。结果表明,随种植年限的增加,土壤氮磷钾养分积累明显,而pH值下降显著。土壤中交换性酸随时间显著增加,其中交换性铝的比例也在增加,而盐基阳离子及饱和度下降明显。通过简单的方程拟合可以知道不同地点土壤酸化速率有所差异,但最终pH值较为相同,说明强度人为经营措施对土壤性质影响显著。因此,要防治雷竹土壤的酸化需要进行合理有效的管理措施。     

退耕还林地在植被恢复初期碳储量及分配格局研究

利用标准样方法研究了川西最主要的两种退耕还林植被(苦竹林和桦木林)在恢复初期生态系统碳储量、碳素密度以及空间分配特征.结果表明:(1)苦竹不同器官碳素密度为0.348 5～0.518 6 gC/g,桦木不同器官碳素密度为0.451 9～0.513 7 gC/g;(2)苦竹林林下枯落物的碳素密度为0.341 7 gC/g,桦木林林下枯落物的碳素密度为0.395 3 gC/g;(3)不同植物器官的碳储量分配与各器官的生物量显著相关.苦竹林分中竹秆生物量占48.87%,其碳储量占53.06%;桦木林树干生物量占57.25%,其碳储量占57.27%;(4)两种森林生态系统碳储量的空间分布格局表现为以土壤碳储量最大,占64.19%～82.59%,其次是乔木层,占21.93%～33.90%,最小是桔落物层,占0.27%～1.91%;(5)在退耕还林初期,植被恢复后土壤各层碳素密度小于对照的各层土壤碳素密度,土壤有机碳储量减少;(6)退耕地转变为森林后,成为大气CO2的一个重要碳汇.     

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