热处理抑制采后龙眼果肉自溶及细胞壁物质降解

为了阐明热水处理抑制采后龙眼果实果肉自溶的作用机理,研究热水处理对采后龙眼果实果肉自溶和细胞壁组分含量、细胞壁降解酶活性的影响。将"福眼"龙眼果实经50℃热水处理10 min,用0.015 mm厚的聚乙烯薄膜袋密封包装,贮藏于(15±1)℃条件下。在贮藏期间定期测定龙眼果实果肉自溶指数、细胞壁组分含量和细胞壁降解酶活性。结果表明:与未经热水处理,相同贮藏条件下的对照果实比,热处理可显著(P0.05)抑制龙眼果实果肉自溶指数的上升,降低果胶甲酯酶(pectinmethylesterase,PME)、多聚半乳糖醛酸酶(polygalacturonase,PG)、β-半乳糖苷酶(β-galactosidase,β-Gal)和纤维素酶(cellulase,CX)的活性,延缓水溶性果胶(water-soluble pectin,WSP)含量的上升和离子结合型果胶(ionic-soluble pectin,ISP)、共价结合型果胶(covalent-soluble pectin,CSP)、半纤维素和纤维素含量的下降。因此认为,热处理可通过降低采后龙眼果实果肉细胞壁降解酶的活性而减少细胞壁组分的降解,从而维持细胞壁结构的完整性,抑制果肉自溶的发生。研究结果为热处理技术在采后龙眼果实保鲜中的应用提供参考。     

蘑菇辐照保鲜贮藏技术的研究

使用不同剂量60 Coγ射线辐照双孢蘑菇 ,抑制双孢蘑菇的后熟作用 ,辐照后在蘑菇破膜、开伞、褐化、腐烂、鲜重损失等方面都明显低于对照。用 1 2kGy的辐照剂量 ,结合 4℃的低温贮藏能使双孢菇保鲜贮藏 30d左右     

菜心真空预冷效果的试验研究

为进一步探讨叶菜真空预冷效果，采用实际生产使用的真空预冷设备对菜心进行小批量的真空预冷试验，考察了预冷过程中菜心的质量损失、温度随时间的变化情况及相互关系，以及真空预冷对菜心品质的影响。结果表明：小批量（120 kg/次）菜心真空预冷过程只需15 min，平均质量损失率为2.3%；冷却阶段的质量损失随预冷时间延长、物料温度降低而增大；菜心茎、叶冷却速度有明显差异，冷却均匀性稍差；经真空预冷处理后贮藏的菜心呼吸强度明显减弱，外观品质下降缓慢，贮藏寿命延长，维生素C含量有所减少。菜心对真空预冷有良好的适应性。     

草酸处理对桂七芒果冷害及细胞壁代谢的影响

为探讨草酸处理对低温冷藏下芒果冷害及细胞壁代谢的影响,本试验以桂七芒果果实为试材,采用5 mmol·L^-1草酸溶液浸泡处理,以清水浸泡处理为对照,并于4℃贮藏,分析芒果的冷害指数、丙二醛(MDA)含量、相对电导率、硬度、细胞壁物质含量、细胞壁代谢酶的变化。结果表明,与对照组相比,草酸处理显著降低了低温贮藏14 d后桂七芒果果实冷害指数、MDA含量、相对电导率、原果胶和纤维素含量,显著降低了低温贮藏28 d后果实的硬度;显著提高了低温贮藏14 d后果实水溶性果胶含量及多聚半乳糖醛酸酶(PG)、果胶甲酯酶(PME)、纤维素酶(Cx)活性,显著提高了贮藏21 d后果实β-半乳糖苷酶(β-Gal)活性。综上所述,草酸处理能减轻桂七芒果冷害,维持采后果实细胞壁降解酶较高活性和水溶性果胶含量。本研究为揭示草酸减轻芒果果实冷害机制提供了依据,可为草酸应用于其他冷敏型果实的贮藏保鲜提供理论参考。     

高氧气调贮藏下双孢蘑菇品质和抗性物质变化

为探索高氧处理对双孢蘑菇保鲜的效果,该试验研究了体积分数为40%、60%、80% 和100% O2及空气气流连续处理对双孢蘑菇在2℃、12 d 贮藏期间主要品质指标和抗性物质变化的影响。结果表明,高氧处理对可溶性固形物含量无显著影响。60%～100%高氧处理可显著抑制双孢蘑菇硬度的下降、菇肉和菇皮的褐变以及细胞膜透性的增加,60%～100%高氧处理的双孢蘑菇脯氨酸含量低于对照处理,差异显著（p＜0.05）;可溶性蛋白质含量高于对照,差异不显著。总体来看, 高氧处理有效保持了双孢蘑菇的品质。     

真空预冷结合微孔膜包装对鲜枸杞贮藏品质的影响

为了延长鲜枸杞贮藏保鲜期,该研究通过真空预冷结合微孔膜包装对鲜枸杞的贮藏品质进行研究,设置不同预冷终温(2、4、6℃)和终压(800～1 000、1 000～1 200、1 200～1 500Pa)对鲜枸杞进行真空预冷处理,通过比较真空预过程中鲜枸杞失重率、蜡质层和呼吸强度指标来确定较优工艺参数;之后将真空预冷较优工艺参数下的鲜枸杞用微孔膜包装后在(-1±0.5℃)的冷库中进行贮藏,以微孔膜包装处理和未经任何处理的鲜枸杞作为对照组,比较贮藏过程中硬度、可溶性固形物(Total Soluble Solids,TSS)、色差、呼吸强度、过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CAT)活性指标来综合分析不同处理对鲜枸杞贮藏品质的影响。结果表明:终温6℃和终压800～1 000Pa对鲜枸杞失重率影响较小;终温6℃和终压1 200～1 500Pa对鲜枸杞内表皮结构损伤较小;终温2℃和终压800～1 000Pa鲜枸杞呼吸强度最低,综合考虑3个指标,终温6℃,终压1 200～1 500 Pa为鲜枸杞真空预冷较优工艺参数;在贮藏期间,真空预冷结合微孔膜包装与其他两组相比较,可有效延缓鲜枸杞硬度和TSS下降,降低呼吸强度,抑制色差变化和CAT活性的下降(P0.05)。该研究为鲜枸杞贮藏保鲜提供新方法。     

适宜热烫条件保持双孢蘑菇片品质和颜色

为保持双孢蘑菇片的品质和颜色,采用85、90、95和100℃的热水分别对双孢蘑菇片进行不同时间的热烫处理,以未经热烫的双孢蘑菇片为对照,测定其干片抗坏血酸和总酚含量、抗氧化活性及其颜色的变化。结果表明:热烫后双孢蘑菇片的抗坏血酸和总酚含量分别损失66.67%~93.33%和12.33%~59.49%,抗氧化活性减弱16.86%~42.75%;与未热烫样品相比,热烫可使双孢蘑菇片亮度L值下降11.23%~30.63%,而色度变化不大,但总色差从10.12±0.55增到22.86±0.21。综合考虑热烫温度和时间对双孢蘑菇片抗坏血酸、总酚、抗氧化活性和颜色的影响,确定双孢蘑菇片的较佳热烫条件为85~95℃温度下处理1~2 min,在此条件下能较好的保持双孢蘑菇片的营养品质和颜色。     

双孢蘑菇培养料理化指标及酶活与其产量相关的多重分析

为探究双孢蘑菇二次发酵培养料各项理化参数和酶活与产量的关系以及各参数对产量形成所起的作用,为制作和评价高产的二次发酵培养料提供科学依据,该研究以10批不同原料做堆肥,采用二次发酵技术进行隧道式发酵,按照工厂化栽培工艺进行出菇管理。取每批二次发酵结束后的培养料,测定含水率、pH值、EC值、碳质量分数、氮质量分数、碳氮比等理化性质和纤维素、半纤维素质量分数以及木聚糖酶、羧甲基纤维素酶(CMC)、α-纤维二糖水解酶、木糖苷酶、α-阿拉伯呋喃糖苷酶酶活等13个指标并进行主成分分析、聚类分析。统计每批双孢蘑菇产量并利用多元回归分析各指标与产量的关系。结果表明半纤维素酶、纤维素酶、pH值、EC值、氮质量分数、碳水化合物相关指标是二次发酵培养料指标的主成分因子。主成分分析在二次发酵培养料的13个指标中提取出4个主成分,分为碳水化合物因子,主要的纤维素降解酶类,EC值和氮质量分数,主要的半纤维素降解酶类,贡献率分别为31.176%、18.45%、18.34%、16.08%,前4个主成分累积贡献率达84.04%,代表原始因子的大部分信息,结果客观可信。聚类分析将13个指标聚为4类,分别为碳水化合物变化因子,EC值和氮质量分数,半纤维素降解酶类,pH值。多元回归分析建立的CMC酶活、木聚糖酶酶活和纤维素质量分数与单位面积产量的关系公式拟合度较好,显著性较高。木聚糖酶、CMC酶活与双孢蘑菇产量存在正线性关系,纤维素含量与双孢蘑菇产量存在负线性关系,此方程可以预测发酵培养料种植双孢蘑菇可能的产量。3种方法综合分析表明,双孢蘑菇产量受培养物料中各理化指标及酶活共同影响,其中木聚糖酶、CMC酶活性与双孢蘑菇产量关系更为密切,呈正相关。     

提高切花真空预冷效果的技术措施

由小型试验到大型中试，探讨了真空预冷中各种花材的降温特点及提高预冷效果的技术措施。结果表明，在给定的相同真空预冷处理条件下，北京和昆明生产的同一种花材降温速度差异较小；但是相同地域栽培的不同花材降温速度差异较大。喷水和吸水处理有效地提高了预冷速度，其中，吸水处理使４种花材在相近短时间内达到了很好的预冷效果。研究结果不仅为提高切花真空预冷效果提供了一项技术措施，也为制订真空预冷处理花材规范化程序提供了依据     

电喷雾纳米涂膜工艺优化及其对双孢蘑菇保鲜效果

为了使涂膜技术更有效地应用于果蔬采后保鲜,该文通过电喷雾技术将纳米SiO_2/马铃薯淀粉膜液喷涂在新鲜的双孢蘑菇上,研究了在(4±1)℃贮藏期间双孢蘑菇生理品质的变化,筛选出适于电喷雾涂膜的最佳膜液浓度,且对电喷雾形成涂层的性能(透水率、透O_2率、透CO_2率、水溶性、溶胀度、拉伸强度)和微观结构(scanning electron microscopy,SEM、X-ray diffraction,XRD、fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,FTIR)进行一定的研究。结果表明,适合双孢蘑菇电喷雾技术纳米涂膜保鲜的最佳膜液0配比为纳米SiO_2质量分数0.4%、马铃薯淀粉质量分数4%、甘油质量分数3%,其透水率、透O_2率、透CO_2率分别为514.35、126.84、778.06 g/(m2×d)、拉伸强度24.50 MPa、水溶性54.76%、溶胀度85.75%。电喷雾因液滴带同种电荷,形成的涂层比较均匀,纳米SiO_2分散性更好,分子间作用力较强,且涂层的性能更优。在贮藏保鲜期间电喷雾处理的双孢蘑菇相对普通喷雾处理组能保持较好(P0.05)的感官品质及生理品质,研究结果为电喷雾技术在食用菌采后保鲜的应用上提供参考。     

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