益生菌制剂对早期断奶仔猪生长性能和免疫指标的影响

分析益生菌制剂对早期断奶仔猪生长性能和免疫指标的影响,选择仔猪40头,将仔猪随机分为两组,基础饲料选择标准玉米-豆粕型,对照组饲喂基础饲料,观察组在基础饲料基础上添加益生菌饲料,仔猪断奶第0 d、第7 d、第14 d、第21 d采集新鲜粪样、前腔静脉血、回肠和空肠,测定仔猪生长性能以及血清、粪便、肠黏膜抗体含量。结果表明,在仔猪生长性能方面,观察组仔猪在最后重量、平均日增重量、腹泻率方面均明显高于对照组(P0.05);在仔猪血清、粪便、肠黏膜抗体含量方面,断奶后21 d观察组仔猪血清Ig G含量增加量明显更多(P0.05),粪便中Ig G含量两组对比差异不显著(P0.05),观察组回肠黏膜以及空肠黏膜SIg A含量明显更高(P0.05)。在早期断奶仔猪饲料中添加益生菌制剂,能够显著增强仔猪生长性能,提高仔猪血清Ig G、回肠黏膜以及空肠黏膜SIg A水平,增强仔猪机体免疫力。     

长期铈喂养对鲤鱼肝胰脏、肾脏抗氧化酶活性的影响

为了探讨稀土元素铈对鱼类的生态毒理学效应,在基础饲料中分别添加0(对照)、20、42、65mg·kg-1的硝酸铈饲喂鲤鱼60 d,研究铈对鲤鱼肝胰脏、肾脏自由基的清除能力和抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明,与对照组相比,42、65mg·kg-1组能显著提高鲤鱼的抗氧化防御能力,42 mg·kg-1为最佳添加量。20 mg·kg-1组,除肝胰脏、肾脏GSH-Px活性显著升高,肝胰脏内抑制羟自由基能力显著降低外,其它均无明显变化。42 mg·kg-1组,肝胰脏、肾脏抑制羟自由基能力、CAT、MAO活性、肾MDA含量、肝胰脏SOD活性、抗超氧阴离子自由基能力均显著降低,而肾SOD活力显著升高。65 mg·kg-1组,肝胰脏、肾脏抑制羟自由基能力、CAT、MAO活性、肾MDA含量及肝胰脏抗超氧阴离子自由基能力、SOD、GSH-Px活性均显著降低,肾SOD、GSH-Px活性却显著升高。此外,肝胰脏比肾脏对硝酸铈更趋敏感。由此可见,饲料中适当添加稀土元素铈能提高鱼的抗氧化防御能力。本研究结果为稀土元素在饮料添加中的合理应用及相关研究提供了参考。     

茶皂素对鲤鱼生长性能的影响

在配合饲料中添加0,200,400,600,800,1000 mg/kg茶皂素,进行为期60 d的鲤鱼饲养试验,结果表明:饲料中添加一定量的茶皂素对鲤鱼有促生长作用,且添加600 mg/kg茶皂素时,饲养效果最佳,其增重率为506.83％、生长比率为3.01％、饲料系数为1.99、蛋白质效率为1.21％.     

纳米硒对镉胁迫下吉富罗非鱼非特异性免疫和抗氧化功能的影响

通过在基础饵料中添加不同水平的纳米硒（Nanometer Selenium,NSe）,探讨其对镉暴露下吉富罗非鱼（genetic improvementof farmed tilapia,GIFT）非特异性免疫和抗氧化功能的保护作用。将吉富罗非鱼随机分为5个处理组,即对照组（Control）、镉胁迫组（Cd stressed,CdS）和纳米硒低、中、高剂量组（NSe L、M、H）。在NSe L、M和H3组基础饵料中分别添加0.125、0.250、0.500mgSe·kg-1的纳米硒,连续30d,Control和CdS组投喂基础饵料。第15d,CdS组和NSe3组用0.5mg·L-1Cd2＋的镉溶液进行为期16d的镉处理。结果表明：与Control组比较,0.5mg·L-1Cd2＋的暴露降低了吉富罗非鱼血清中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）、酸性磷酸酶（ACP）、碱性磷酸酶（AKP）和溶菌酶（LYS）活力以及白细胞的吞噬活性（PA）和总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）水平,增加了丙二醛（MDA）含量;与CdS组比较,NSe增强了吉富罗非鱼血清GSH-Px、ACP、AKP和LYS活力,提高了白细胞PA和T-AOC水平,降低了MDA含量。研究结果显示：饵料中添加纳米硒可在一定程度上改善镉胁迫所造成的吉富罗非鱼非特异性免疫功能和抗氧化能力的下降,对镉暴露起到一定保护作用。     

饲料中添加柠檬酸对罗非鱼的养殖效果分析

为考察在饲料中添加柠檬酸对罗非鱼生长的影响，采用300尾平均体重为10．3g的全雄奥尼罗非鱼鱼种，在基础饲料（对照组）中分别添加0．15％、0．30％、0．45％柠檬酸。经37d饲养后，各组增重率分别为152．4％、158．5％、171．5％和170．9％，饲料系数为1．58％、1．49、1．45和1．46，添加0．30％柠檬酸和0．45％柠檬酸分别提高罗非鱼增重率12．5％（P＜0．05）和11．2％（P＜0．05），降低了饲料系数，每公斤鱼体增重成本分别下降0．27元和0．22元。回归分析结果表明，柠檬酸的适宜添加水平为0．28％－0．34％。     

复合蛋白源对杂交石斑鱼生长和肠道菌群的影响

该试验旨在探究复合荚膜甲基球菌蛋白（methanotroph bacteria meal,MBM）与棉籽蛋白（cottonseed meal,CSM）在降低鱼粉（fish meal,FM）的饲料中对珍珠龙胆石斑鱼（Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀×E. lanceolatus♂）生长性能和肠道菌群的影响。以基础饲料（FM为40%）为FM组,降低FM至30%,添加复合蛋白源（MBM为4%,CSM为12%）为MC组,投喂初质量为(28.85±0.04)g的石斑鱼56 d。结果显示,两组石斑鱼生长性能、存活、饲料利用和体形态指标无显著差异（P>0.05）。MC组肌肉丙氨酸、组氨酸和精氨酸显著升高（P<0.05）,脯氨酸含量显著降低,血脂含量和转氨酶以及肝脏丙二醛显著降低（P<0.05）,肠道总抗氧化能力和绒毛长度显著升高（P<0.05）,肠道菌群Shannon和Simpson指数升高,菌群功能在代谢相关通路的富集度升高,环境信息处理相关通路的富集度降低。综上所述,MBM和CSM复合蛋白源能提高肝脏和肠道抗氧化能力,改善肠道发育和菌群结构。研究结果为...     

氮掺杂碳纳米粒子对土壤氮素转化及油菜苗期生长的影响

为了解氮掺杂碳纳米粒子(N-CNPs)对土壤氮素转化和植物生长的影响,以油菜品种湘油15号为研究材料,以常规硝化抑制剂双氰胺(DCD)为阳性对照,采用室内盆栽法分析不同剂量N-CNPs对移植油菜后土壤氮素形态、含量以及油菜生长状况和氮肥利用率的影响。结果表明:N-CNPs能显著提高土壤NH_4~+-N含量同时降低NO_3~--N含量,与单施尿素相比,NH_4~+-N最大提升118%,NO_3~--N最大降低49.74 mg/kg。5‰和15‰的N-CNPs硝化抑制能力较5%的DCD高,在23 d时差异达到了显著水平。5‰的N-CNPs可增加油菜苗期氮素积累量,其氮肥利用率较单施尿素提升了16.77个百分点。N-CNPs剂量提升至15‰,油菜生长受到抑制。总体而言,N-CNPs具有较好的硝化抑制能力,提升氮肥利用率;5‰剂量的N-CNPs能促进油菜苗期的生长和氮素的积累。     

生长猪玉米豆粕型饲粮中添加植酸酶的效果试验研究

选用体重约3 0kg的杜×长×大三元杂生长猪9 6头,随机分成4个处理组,每组6个重复,每重复4头,公母比为1∶1。A组为对照组,饲喂基础饲粮,B、C、D组为试验组(分别以2 5 0、5 0 0、750 U植酸酶/kg饲粮取代基础饲粮中的40%、60%、80%磷酸氢钙),以研究玉米豆粕型饲粮中添加植酸酶对生长猪生长性能和血液生化指标的影响。42 d的饲养试验结果表明:与对照组相比,B、C、D组的日增重分别提高了1.05%(P>0.05)、4.09%(P<0.05)、2.64%(P>0.05);饲料/增重比分别较对照组降低了2.18%、2.62%、1.75%;生长增重的饲料成本分别是对照组的97.38%、97.03%和97.73%;血清中钙含量分别提高了4.22%、4.22%、8.12%(P<0.05);血清中磷含量分别提高了1.46%、0.36%、14.23%(P<0.05),其他生化指标组间无明显差异。     

DHEA对肉鸡脂类代谢和相关激素的影响

本试验研究饲料中添加不同水平的DHEA对肉鸡脂类代谢和相关激素的影响。将180羽1日龄AA肉鸡随机分为饲料中不添加DHEA的对照组，添加20 mg•kg-1和5 mg•kg-1DHEA的高、低剂量组，饲喂至42日龄时分别从各组随机取12只公鸡和母鸡，采集血样、肝脏、腹脂、左侧胸肌和腿肌，分别测定血清葡萄糖(BG)、甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、非酯化脂肪酸(NEFA)和三碘甲腺原氨酸(T3)、甲状腺素(T4)、游离T3(FT3)、游离T4(FT4)、胰高血糖素(glucagon)、瘦素(leptin)含量。结果表明：与对照组相比，DHEA显著降低肉鸡体重、腹脂重和腹脂率，显著降低TG、TC、HDL-C、FT3、FT4含量，显著升高瘦素含量，而对血糖和LDL-C没有影响；DHEA使公鸡血清NEFA含量升高，母鸡血清NEFA含量降低；DHEA使公鸡血清LPL活性和胰高血糖素含量显著升高，血清T4显著降低。提示，DHEA可能通过提高肉鸡体内脂类分解代谢相关酶的活性及激素水平，对脂类代谢起调节作用。     

大豆黄酮对产蛋鸡生产性能、血液指标及激素分泌的影响

选用44周龄海兰褐商品蛋鸡208只,随机分为4组,分别在基础日粮中添加大豆黄酮0、5、10和15mg/kg,研究了日粮中添加不同水平大豆黄酮对不同时期产蛋鸡生产性能及相关激素水平、血液生化指标及激素分泌的影响。结果表明:添加大豆黄酮在试验各期均可以提高产蛋率、改善料蛋比,15mg/kg组可以显著提高日产蛋量;10和15mg/kg组可以显著提高游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)水平,极显著提高游离甲状腺素(FT4)水平;5mg/kg组极显著降低血清IGF-1含量,15mg/kg组极显著提高血清IGF-1含量,各处理组血清胰岛素水平均极显著高于对照组;随着大豆黄酮添加量的增加,血清总胆固醇、甘油三酯、血清低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、血糖、血清尿酸呈递减趋势。大豆黄酮可以明显改善44-56周龄海兰褐蛋鸡的生产性能、内分泌激素水平,并降低血液中胆固醇含量。     

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