黄土丘陵区紫丁香叶片气体交换参数的日变化及光响应

 在半干旱黄土丘陵沟壑区,应用英国PPS公司生产的CIRAS2型光合作用系统,测定不同土壤水分下4年生紫丁香(SyringaoblataLindl.)叶片气体交换参数的日变化和光响应特性。结果表明:丁香光合速率、蒸腾速率、叶片水分利用效率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度等气体交换参数,对土壤水分和光合有效辐射的变化,具有明显的阈值响应。有利于丁香光合作用和水分有效利用的适宜土壤质量含水量范围在15%～19.5%之间,土壤相对含水量为58.8%～76.6%;适宜的光合有效辐射强度范围在600～1000μmol/(m2·s)之间。在此土壤质量含水量和光合有效辐射强度范围内,丁香的光合作用和生长过程不会发生较大的水分胁迫和强光胁迫,也不会发生蒸腾速率过高造成的无效蒸腾耗水,因而能获得较高的光合速率和叶片水分利用率。维持丁香正常生理和生长过程所需的最低土壤质量含水量在11.6%(土壤相对含水量为45.7%)左右,相应的最高光合有效辐射强度在800μmol/(m2 ·s)左右,土壤质量含水量降低或光合有效辐射强度升高,会导致严重水分胁迫和。     

晋西黄土区人工刺槐林生理生态特点分析与研究

采用Li—cor6400便携式光合仪，对山西省吉县蔡家川流域试验区内刺槐的光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度及其环境因子进行了观测，并辅以不同水分梯度下的林木生理指标观测与比较，研究了生理指标与环境因子之间的相互关系。结果表明：刺槐在生长过程中没有充足水分供应时，光合速率会出现负值；蒸腾日变化曲线单峰或双峰取决于土壤水分条件；各环境因子之间呈显著相关关系，综合作用于蒸腾速率，其中光合有效辐射是蒸腾速率的主要影响因子；气孔导度与相对湿度的变化一致，它们之间显著相关，呈二次项曲线关系。     

开花灌浆期小麦叶片奢侈蒸腾发生的土壤水分阈值试验研究

奢侈蒸腾耗水对作物光合及产量形成贡献较低，而开花灌浆期是冬小麦产量形成的关键期，精准调控作物蒸腾耗水、明确影响奢侈蒸腾的土壤水分阈值，对提高冬小麦的水分利用效率至关重要。本研究以冬小麦品种‘石新828’为材料，在人工气候生长箱进行盆栽试验，定量研究土壤水分对作物气孔导度、光合速率和蒸腾速率的影响，明确开花灌浆期奢侈蒸腾产生的土壤水分阈值。结果表明：气孔导度与土壤水吸力关系密切，在土壤水吸力较低时，气孔导度随土壤水吸力增加而迅速降低，而土壤水吸力较高时，气孔导度降低速度变缓。光合速率随土壤水吸力增加以抛物线的形式递减，当土壤水吸力低于1.2 MPa时，光合速率接近最大值，随后土壤水吸力继续增加，光合速率逐渐降低。蒸腾速率随着土壤水吸力增加呈线性递减，降低速率为2.3 mmol·m^-2·s^-1·MPa^-1。光合速率与蒸腾速率的关系符合米氏方程，蒸腾速率低于2.179 mmol·m^-2·s^-1时，光合速率随蒸腾速率线性增加，当蒸腾速率高于此值时，单位光合速率的增加变缓，奢侈蒸腾开始产生，此值所对应的土壤水吸力为1.76 MPa，此时叶片光合速率处于较高（16 μmol·m^-2·s^-1左右）水平，叶片水平水分利用效率（WUE_L）达到最高7.3 μmol（CO₂）·mmol^-1（H₂O）。综上所述，小麦叶片奢侈蒸腾的发生始于水分利用效率从最高转向降低、光合速率处于较高水平而非最大。通过光合随蒸腾变化的米氏方程关系及蒸腾与土壤水吸力的线性关系，可以确定土壤水吸力1.76 MPa为小麦开花灌浆期叶片奢侈蒸腾发生的土壤水分阈值。     

黄土高原侧柏、臭椿光合、蒸腾作用比较研究

对黄土高原半干旱区侧柏和臭椿的光合、蒸腾特性进行了系统的研究，并对光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度、水分利用率和胞间CO2浓度进行了分析，结果表明：臭椿的日蒸腾速率、日光合速率、水分利用效率和气孔导度均高于侧柏；臭椿和侧柏的胞间CO2浓度都随着光合速率的变化而变化，光合速率高则胞间CO2浓度较低，反之则较高，侧柏和臭椿在长期适应环境的过程中产生了不同的生理生态对策。     

中国沙棘、俄罗斯沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘×中国沙棘光合特性及影响因子

在陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区用LI-6400光合仪对中国沙棘、俄罗斯沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘×中国沙棘光合特性及影响因子进行了测定。测定结果表明三者的光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度、蒸腾速率日变化均为“双峰”曲线。中国沙棘光合“午休”现象较轻，日光合速率和午后光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度、蒸腾速率极显著（P〈0．01）高于俄罗斯沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘×中国沙棘。中国沙棘光合作用最适气孔导度、大气CO2浓度、空气相对湿度比俄罗斯沙棘小，最适胞间CO2浓度、蒸腾速率、气温、光合有效辐射比俄罗斯沙棘高。中国沙棘在最适气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度、蒸腾速率和大气CO2浓度下的光合速率比俄罗斯沙棘高；在最适气温、空气相对湿度、光合有效辐射下的光合速率比俄罗斯沙棘低。俄罗斯沙棘×中国沙棘光合“午休”现象比中国沙棘强，比俄罗斯沙棘弱，午后光合速率与俄罗斯沙棘相近；俄罗斯沙棘×中国沙棘最适气孔导度、大气CO2浓度高于中国沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘，最适胞间CO2浓度低于中国沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘，最适蒸腾速率、气温、空气相对湿度、光合有效辐射居于中国沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘之间。俄罗斯沙棘×中国沙棘在最适气孔导度下的光合速率高于中国沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘；在最适胞间CO2浓度、蒸腾速率、气温、大气CO2浓度、空气相对湿度、光合有效辐射下的光合速率低于中国沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘。中国沙棘、俄罗斯沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘×中国沙棘的光合速率均与上午的气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度、蒸腾速率、气温、大气CO2浓度、空气相对湿度、光合有效辐射显著相关，均为“抛物线”关系。     

富水条件下不同供氮水平对小麦光合作用与空气温湿度关系的影响

对田间环境土壤富水条件下不同供氮处理小麦光合速率、蒸腾速率、叶片水分利用率和气孔导度的分析测定表明,增施氮肥有助于扩大高光合速率分布的空气温湿度范围,显著抑制高温低湿对叶片蒸腾的促进作用,提高叶片水分利用率,提高叶温。土壤富水条件下,合适的施氮量应在90～180kg hm-2之间。     

东北地区大豆鼓粒期光合特性的研究

用LI-6400光合测定系统对东北地区大豆鼓粒期叶片光合速率对光合有效辐射通量密度的响应特征和晴天光合速率、光能利用率、水分利用率等特性的日变化规律进行了研究。结果表明,光合速率对光合有效辐射通量密度的响应特征遵循M ichaelis-M enten方程,在自然光条件下,上下两层叶片综合考虑,最大光合速率平均为37.25μmol m-2s-1,表观初始量子效率平均为0.0376。在晴天,光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度以及光合有效辐射通量密度、环境温度随时间的变化可以用正弦函数模拟,但其峰值出现的时间不同,光合速率和气孔导度在午前,光合有效辐射通量密度在正午,蒸腾速率和环境温度在午后。这种时间序列说明光合速率在午前开始降低,但引起这种现象的原因是高温引起的气孔限制造成的,而非光胁迫。日出后,大豆叶片的光能利用率随时间逐渐降低,到10:30左右稳定在0.015~0.02 molmol-1,该变化规律用正弦函数的形式可以得到很好的模拟。大豆叶片的水分利用率在上午和下午存在显著差异,上午的水分利用率显著高于下午,温度是造成这种差异的主要原因,用正弦函数形式模拟也能得到类似的结果。     

苦竹叶片光合及水分利用率特性

为了给经营管理苦竹者提供较好的科学理论依据,作者采用LI-6400XT便携式光合测定仪,以野生苦竹林为研究对象,测定了其光合及水分利用率。结果表明:(1)苦竹净光合速率和蒸腾速率日变化均为双峰型,存在光合"午休"现象。(2)气孔导度与净光合速率呈极显著的线性关系,而且气孔导度是影响苦竹光合的主要限制因子,所以苦竹光合"午休"主要受气孔因素限制。(3)苦竹的水分利用率比较低,节水抗旱能力比较差。(4)苦竹的光补偿点为8.10μmol/(m2.s),光饱和点为1 198.66μmol/(m2.s),说明苦竹具有较强的耐阴能力,能适应较宽的光照环境。     

UV-B增强下施钾对大麦抽穗期生理特性日变化的影响

通过大田试验,研究在UV-B增强条件下,不同施钾量对大麦抽穗期叶片净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、胞间CO2浓度和水分利用率等生理指标日变化的影响。UV-B辐射设2水平,即对照(CK,自然光,辐射强度1.5 KJ/(m2·h))和增强120%(1.8 KJ/(m2·h));施钾量设2水平,即低钾(K1,K2O 73 kg/hm2)和高钾(K2,K2O 150 kg/hm2)。结果表明,UV-B增强降低大麦的叶绿素含量、净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率和水分利用率。增施钾肥可提高叶片中叶绿素的含量、净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾效率,但对大麦胞间CO2浓度和水分利用效率的影响不明显。增施钾肥可减缓UV-B增强对大麦净光合速率的抑制作用,但不能减缓UV-B增强对大麦气孔导度和蒸腾速率的抑制作用。     

不同施肥处理对香梨膨果期光合特性的影响

在田间条件下,利用CIRAS-2型光合仪对不同施肥处理的库尔勒香梨膨果期光合特性日变化进行了测定.结果表明:香梨叶片净光合速率日变化表现为双峰曲线,峰型较弱或不明显,具有光合“午休”现象.气孔导度和气孔限制值的日变化与净光合速率日变化基本保持一致,呈双峰型,气孔导度峰型明显而气孔限制值峰型较弱.胞间CO2浓度日变化与净光合速率相反,呈双谷型.蒸腾速率日变化曲线呈单峰型,水分利用效率日变化则呈单谷型.施肥对香梨叶片的叶绿素含量、叶面积指数和光合特性都有显著影响.不同施肥处理下,香梨叶片的叶绿素含量和叶面积指数施肥效应均表现为:N＞P＞K.光合特性施肥效应各不相同,净光合速率与水分利用效率表现为:K＞P＞N,蒸腾速率表现为:P＞N＞K,气孔导度表现为:K＞N＞P.     

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