苏丹草对土壤中菲芘的修复作用

采用盆栽试验法,研究了苏丹草对土壤中菲、芘的去除效果,及植物和微生物在去除土壤菲、芘中的交互效应。结果显示,在试验浓度范围（0-322．06mg·kg^-1内,土壤～苏丹草系统（TR,）对菲、芘的去除效果明显。种植苏丹草60d后,土壤菲、芘去除率分别为73．07％-83．92％、63％～77．62％;平均去除率分别比对照1（无植物,不加0．1％NaN3）高55．58％、50．71％,比对照2（无植物,加0．1％NaN3）高72．71％、66．57％,说明种植苏丹草可以促进微生物对土壤中芘、菲降解。土壤酶活性测定结果也显示,酶活性越高,污染物降解率越高,反之亦然。因此,植物一微生物间的交互效应是土壤中多环芳烃降解的主要途径。     

外源添加作物秸秆对PAHs污染土壤有机碳矿化和污染物降解的影响

本文通过土壤腐解试验研究外源添加水稻或玉米秸秆对多环芳烃（PAHs）污染土壤CO2-C释放和污染物去除率的影响，同时清晰秸秆腐解中间产物溶解性有机碳（DOC）与土壤PAHs降解的关系。结果表明：秸秆添加处理促进了PAHs污染土壤CO2-C的释放，以玉米秸秆提升效果较好。外源添加秸秆显著增加了土壤DOC含量，且增加幅度随秸秆添加量的增加而增大；水稻秸秆对土壤DOC含量的提升幅度较大。与对照相比，秸秆添加处理下土壤菲、芘残留量均显著降低，菲、芘去除率显著增加，去除效果：玉米＞水稻，高量＞低量，菲＞芘；与对照相比，添加高量玉米秸秆处理（PY15）对土壤菲、芘去除率的增加幅度分别为91.7%和182%。此外，在一定范围内土壤DOC含量与PAHs去除率呈正相关关系。可见，农作物秸秆，尤其是玉米秸秆添加可提升PAHs污染土壤有机碳矿化，亦可在提升土壤DOC含量的同时促进污染土壤PAHs的降解。     

多环芳烃污染土壤表面活性剂清洗及生物柴油强化

针对某焦化厂内高浓度多环芳烃污染土壤,以烷基苷（APG）、十二烷基苯磺酸钠（SDBS）和曲拉通X-100（TX100）为表面活性剂代表物,采用静态平衡法和高效液相色谱分析,探索采用单一及混合表面活性剂清洗修复多环芳烃污染土壤,并考察生物柴油对多环芳烃去除效果的影响。结果表明,单一表面活性剂对土壤中多环芳烃去除率顺序为SDBS〉APG〉TX100。APG／SDBS混合处理及TX100/SDBS为9：1混合处理提高了土壤中多环芳烃去除率,而APG／TX100混合处理没能提高多环芳烃去除率。生物柴油对TX100及TX100／SDBS去除多环芳烃效果没有明显提高,对APG及APG/TX100去除多环芳烃略有提高。当APG／SDBS为9：1时,生物柴油可以使多环芳烃去除率从（63．3±2．0）％提高到（75．6±2．0）％。单一表面活性剂、混合表面活性剂、及表面活性剂-生物柴油乳液对多环芳烃各组分去除率比较类似,对菲的去除率最高,茚并[1,2,3-d]芘次之,其余相对较低。因此,建议采用APG／SDBS＋生物柴油的混合体系对高浓度多环芳烃污染土壤进行修复。     

混合菌群强化去除泥浆体系中菲、芘的效果及影响因素

通过室内泥浆体系模拟试验,研究了混合微生物菌群(嗜热菌和多环芳烃特异性降解菌),在40℃条件下(两类微生物均能较快生长繁殖),对泥浆体系中代表性多环芳烃菲、芘的去除效果及其影响因素(水土比,葡萄糖、淀粉、水杨酸及其浓度)。结果表明:泥浆体系中混合微生物菌群对多环芳烃的去除效果显著(P0.01),单日菲去除率最大可达20.0%,芘达15.3%。随着反应进程的进行,菲和芘的去除率提高,去除速率则逐步降低,菲的半衰期1.8天小于芘4.9天,因此菲的去除较芘更快。试验得到该泥浆体系中混合微生物菌群去除多环芳烃最合适的水土比为2︰1,碳源为葡萄糖,浓度TOC_(葡萄糖):TOC_(PAHs)为2︰1。该研究结果可为泥浆体系中混合微生物菌群强化修复多环芳烃污染土壤的技术研发提供理论基础和技术支撑。     

皂角苷增强洗脱复合污染土壤中多环芳烃和重金属的作用及机理

通过增溶实验和土壤洗脱实验,研究了一种生物表面活性剂——皂角苷（saponin）对多环芳烃-重金属复合污染土壤的洗脱作用及机理。结果表明,皂角苷对菲、芘等多环芳烃有极强的增溶作用,当皂角苷浓度为0.04%时,菲、芘在液相中的表观溶解度分别增大了约22倍和128倍,因而皂角苷能显著增强多环芳烃污染土壤中菲、芘的洗脱,洗脱效率最大分别可达84.1%和81.4%,增大了约2倍和17倍。皂角苷可与重金属离子形成水溶性的络合物,从而增强洗脱重金属污染土壤中的Zn^2＋和Cd^2＋,在皂角苷浓度为0.4%时,Zn^2＋、Cd^2＋的洗脱效率分别可达93.0%和79.4%,增大了约75倍和8倍。皂角苷可同时洗脱多环芳烃-重金属复合污染土壤中的菲、芘和Zn^2＋、Cd^2＋,洗脱效率分别达87.6%、83.5%和92.3%、78.6%,重金属的存在略增大了皂角苷对菲、芘等多环芳烃的洗脱效率,但多环芳烃对Zn^2＋、Cd^2＋的洗脱效率没有明显影响。皂角苷可同时增强洗脱复合污染土壤中的多环芳烃和重金属,从而为多环芳烃-重金属复合污染土壤的修复奠定基础。     

菲不同污染方式对土壤酶活性的影响北大核心CSCD

菲作为多环芳烃类污染物的代表,正以低剂量叠加的方式在土壤中逐步累积,对土壤生态安全造成潜在威胁。本研究模拟菲在一次污染和累积污染方式下对土壤酶活性的影响及其与菲有效性之间的关系。结果表明,在菲累积和一次污染条件下,土壤菲可提取态和有效态含量随培养时间的延长呈现出前2周（1～14d）下降速率较快,3～8周（14～56d）逐渐减缓的趋势。与一次污染相比,累积污染的土壤菲可提取量和有效态含量均较低。在2种污染方式下,土壤脲酶,脱氢酶和蔗糖酶均存在不同程度的被抑制现象,并且酶活性在前2周被短时间抑制,3～8周酶活性被激活而增强。与一次污染相比,累积污染的土壤酶活性被抑制效应减弱。土壤脱氢酶对菲污染反应灵敏,并与土壤可提取态和有效态菲含量显著相关,最能反映菲在土壤中的环境风险。     

火干扰后土壤多环芳烃时空分布特征

采集马尾松次生林的灰烬、0~3 cm和3~10 cm深度的土壤样品,研究了火干扰后多环芳烃的时空分布特征。结果表明:火干扰样地Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ土壤的多环芳烃总浓度介于757.8~1718 ng g-1,平均浓度为74.2 ng g-1,是对照样地的10倍以上。火后1个月土壤多环芳烃成分以萘、荧蒽、芘、蒽、芴、菲、苊烯为主,火后6个月以菲、荧蒽、芘为主,火后12个月也以菲、荧蒽、芘为主;样地Ⅳ和Ⅴ0~3 cm土层各多环芳烃含量是3~10 cm土层的3~4倍,轻多环芳烃(含2~4环)的含量比重多环芳烃(含5~6环)高;火干扰后6和12个月,土壤多环芳烃总浓度下降显著(P0.05),含2~环的多环芳烃含量下降,含4~6环的多环芳烃比例增加;灰烬中轻多环芳烃含量比较高、重多环芳烃含量较少,灰烬中多环芳烃含量高于相应的土壤样本;多环芳烃总量和含2环或3环多环芳烃与土壤有机质及其他化学性质指标显著相关。     

可溶性有机物对玉米根部菲与芴吸着与吸收过程的影响

在水培玉米幼苗的暴露实验中,控制溶液中可溶性有机物（DOM）的浓度水平（0、0．5、1、2、5、10mg·L^-1）,观察其对水培溶液中多环芳烃（芴与菲）生物有效性的影响。通过控制洗脱条件,将根部多环芳烃分为弱吸着（氯化钙提取）、强吸着（甲醇提取）与吸收（索氏提取）3种不同的形态。结果表明,短期暴露（4d）后,培养液中多环芳烃浓度迅速下降至起始浓度的10％左右,玉米幼苗对菲的吸收强于对芴的吸收,而吸着量相似,大部分以强吸着态存在于根表。低浓度可溶性有机物（小于2mg·L^-1）的加入有助于芴与菲在根表的吸着,浓度继续增大时,对吸着过程则产生抑制作用;吸收量随可溶性有机物浓度的升高而增大,逐渐趋于稳定。吸着与吸收总量在DOM浓度约为1mg·L^-1时达到最大值,之后随DOM浓度增加而下降。     

酸碱调控对泥浆反应去除土壤中多环芳烃的影响研究

采用摇瓶试验模拟研究了酸碱调控对泥浆反应去除污染土壤中多环芳烃的影响,结果表明,泥浆反应对污染土壤中的多环芳烃具有一定的去除效果,长期污染土壤中多环芳烃的去除率为10.6% ~ 20.7%,模拟污染土壤中的去除率为37.4% ~ 42.1%;酸碱调控对不同性质的多环芳烃的去除影响不同,整体上看,酸性条件有利于高环（五环和六环）多环芳烃的去除,而中性条件有利于低环（三环和四环）多环芳烃的去除。在实际修复中,根据污染土壤中多环芳烃的组成进行适当的酸碱调控,可以促进污染土壤的快速修复。     

菲、芘在单一和复合污染条件下不同老化阶段的提取率及其生物有效性

研究了土壤中多环芳烃菲、芘在单一和复合污染条件下的老化过程,150天内观察到菲、芘的提取率随时间延长而逐渐减少,下降速率呈现初始较快、而后减慢的趋势;菲、芘的环糊精提取法的提取率随老化时间延长而下降的趋势要比索氏提取法明显。老化过程中复合污染土壤中芘的索氏法提取率略低于单一污染土壤中芘的提取率。在老化的后期,复合污染土壤中菲的环糊精法提取率略高于单一污染土壤中菲的提取率。利用蚯蚓作为测试生物,研究两种污染物的老化过程对其生物有效性的影响,发现表征其生物有效性的蚯蚓吸收率、生物富集系数(BCF)均随老化时间的延长而下降,此外,老化过程中复合污染条件下菲的生物有效性总是大于菲作为单一污染源时的生物有效性。对污染物的环糊精法提取率和蚯蚓吸收率作相关分析发现,单一污染土壤中菲和芘的环糊精提取法的提取率与蚯蚓吸收率均呈显著正相关。     

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