水田风送低量喷杆喷雾机设计及其参数研究

为适应水稻病虫害防治的需要，研制了一种轻便、高效、省药、能减少对环境污染、与目前中国水稻插秧机通用底盘配套、可实现水稻低量风送精确喷雾的水田风送低量喷杆喷雾机。采用机电一体化技术，气流辅助技术，低量喷雾技术为中国设计生产出第一代用于水稻病虫害防治的喷杆喷雾机，提高了插秧机通用底盘的利用率；作业效率2 hm²/h(作业速度0.82～0.98 m/s)，可进行150～180 L/hm²的低容量喷雾作业；风送系统风速达14 m/s；将喷雾不均匀度由常规喷雾的50%降低到10%,农药利用率达35%；并能对喷雾轨迹进行标识，同时还解决了喷杆的自动折叠问题。     

灌溉对大麦/玉米带田土壤硝态氮累积和淋失的影响

以甘肃省河西走廊灌区为试验地点，分别在0、150、300 kg/hm²氮水平和816、1632 m³/hm²灌水量下，对3次灌水前、后大麦/玉米带田0～200 cm土壤NO^-₃-N含量变化和灌水后135 cm处渗漏液NO^-₃-N浓度进行了测定。结果表明：灌水明显影响土壤硝态氮累积量，随灌水次数增加，土壤硝态氮累积量降低，而且在高灌水条件下土壤硝态氮累积量变化比低灌水量时大。从渗漏液硝态氮浓度来看，大麦带和玉米带都是以第1次灌水最高，浓度分别为8.04～17.21和3.30～14.57 mg/L。3次灌水土壤硝态氮淋失量，玉米带以N 150 kg/hm²和灌水量1632 m³/hm²最高，平均为4.31 kg/hm²；大麦带以N 150 kg/hm²及灌水量1632 m³/hm²和N 150 kg/hm²及灌水量816 m³/hm²比较高，平均为6.82 kg/hm²。     

氮肥施用量对灵武长枣果实品质及土壤氮含量的影响

以灵武长枣为试验材料,设置5个氮肥处理:0 kg/hm²(CK)、150 kg/hm²(T1)、300 kg/hm²(T2)、450 kg/hm²(T3)、600 kg/hm²(T4),同时配施相同量的钾肥(150 kg/hm²)和磷肥(60 kg/hm²),用以探明不同氮肥施用对灵武长枣果实品质的影响以及土壤氮含量随施氮量增加的变化趋势。结果表明,灵武长枣果实维生素C含量、单果重和糖酸比随施氮水平的增加呈先升高后降低的趋势,且均在T2处理达到最大值。与CK相比,T2处理的灵武长枣果实维生素C含量、单果重和糖酸比对照分别提高了17.27%、15.94%和10.90%。当施氮量在150 kg/hm²以上时,成熟期土壤氮含量随着施肥量的增加而增加,其中T2处理的土壤氮含量相较于初始氮含量增加最少,表明T2处理在满足灵武长枣植株需求的同时最大程度降低了对土壤氮含量的影响。利用主成分分析提取出的4个主成分涵盖了原始信息的92.687%,其中T2处理的得分最高。综上所述,灵武长枣最佳氮肥施用量为300 kg/hm²,此施肥量既能改善灵武长枣果实品质,又能对灵武长枣科学施肥提供理论依据。     

烟草栽培中土壤适宜含水率及施肥模型

该研究以提供优质烟叶生产的量化施肥模型,防止化肥的过量使用从而造成的环境污染及烟叶品质下降为目的,通过盆栽试验建立了氮磷钾肥及水分这4因子与产值的关系模型,对各因子之间的交互作用进行了分析,对模型进行了优化,并对供试土壤基础肥力的贡献率进行了计算,以此为基础建立了氮磷钾的施肥模型,并对所建模型进行了大田试验的验证。结果表明,盆栽试验适宜的施氮量为每株4.85～5.45 g纯氮,施磷量为P2O5每株7.68～8.64 g,施钾量为K2O每株16.17～17.95 g,土壤相对含水率为75.8%～80.5%。施肥模型推荐的氮磷钾肥施用量分别为39.30～44.16 kg/hm²,64.30～72.34 kg/hm²,232.77～258.41 kg/hm²,与大田试验的最佳施肥量纯氮（42.86±7.49）kg/hm²,P2O5为（65.09± 12.58）kg/hm²,K2O为（242.68±8.69）kg/hm²的结果大致相同。     

保水剂用量对紫色土微量元素有效态及活化率的影响

运用野外径流侵蚀泥沙小区的模拟试验,在紫色土中施加不同用量(T0:0 kg/hm²、T1:30 kg/hm²、T2:90 kg/hm²、T3:150 kg/hm² 和T4:210 kg/hm²)的保水剂,研究不同保水剂施用量对紫色土微量元素及其有效态含量的影响。结果表明,土壤微量元素含量表现为:Mn(134.68±11.02)mg/kg>Zn(69.46±5.24)mg/kg>Fe(24.02±3.03)mg/kg>Cu(17.42±12.17)mg/kg>Mo(1.04±0.17)mg/kg,土壤微量元素有效态含量表现出相似规律。随着保水剂施用量的增加,土壤Mn、全Zn、土壤有效Zn逐渐增加,表现为T0Cu>Mn>Fe>Zn。本研究可为提高紫色土区抗旱性能及土壤微肥的高效利用及土壤肥力综合评价提供理论依据与数据支持。     

不同灌溉处理下冬小麦水平衡与灌溉增产效率研究

水资源是华北平原冬小麦、夏玉米种植区最重要的生产制约因素, 农业水资源高效利用具有重大的社会需要。通过设置冬小麦不同灌溉处理, 分析了各处理的水分平衡、产量和灌溉增产效率。结果显示: 1)不同灌溉处理具有不同的水分平衡过程, 雨养农田、充分灌溉处理、返青水胁迫处理、拔节抽穗水胁迫处理和灌浆水胁迫处理的蒸散量分别为251±58 mm、482±48 mm、352±44 mm、388±22 mm 和324±53 mm; 2)灌溉量对于小麦产量的增加具有明显的正效应, 拔节-抽穗水胁迫对作物产量有较大影响, 灌浆水胁迫和返青水胁迫均没有对小麦产量造成明显影响; 雨养农业的经济产量为2 950±635 kg·hm^-2, 充分灌溉下的经济产量约为5 994±994 kg·hm^-2; 冬小麦返青期、拔节抽穗期、灌浆期施加适度的水分胁迫, 产量分别为5 163±885kg·hm^-2、5 047±1 180 kg·hm^-2、5 249±975 kg·hm^-2, 与充分灌溉相比, 没有明显的产量下降; 3)小麦的灌溉增产效率存在明显的年际差异, 在丰水年或特丰水年, 灌溉增产效率为1.9 kg·m^-3, 在枯水年为0.4 kg·m^-3, 平水年为1.6 kg·m^-3。     

基于产量水平的内蒙古阴山地区马铃薯施肥评价

明确内蒙古阴山地区马铃薯施肥现状，为实现内蒙古马铃薯的稳产增产和养分高效利用提供理论依据。对内蒙古阴山地区连续 5年的调查数据进行分析，基于马铃薯产量确定合理施肥量，对农户实际施肥量进行评价，分析农户施肥存在的问题。旱地马铃薯平均产量 16.6 t/hm²，水浇地马铃薯平均产量 35.9 t/hm²，水浇地马铃薯产量明显高于旱地马铃薯。旱地马铃薯施氮量介于 0～ 363 kg/hm²，平均 103.6 kg/hm²；施磷量介于 0～ 354 kg/hm²，平均 75.9 kg/hm²；施钾量介于 0～ 330 kg/hm²，平均 46.0 kg/hm²。水浇地马铃薯施氮量介于 45～ 471 kg/hm²，平均 224.5 kg/hm²；施磷量介于 0～ 393 kg/hm²，平均 172.4 kg/hm²；施钾量介于 0～ 414 kg/hm²，平均 167.7 kg/hm²。马铃薯的产量和施肥量变异均很大，且氮、磷和钾用量与马铃薯产量不同步。不管是旱地马铃薯，还是水浇地马铃薯，当产量水平由低到高，施氮过量的农户总的趋势是降低的，施氮量适中的农户比例逐渐增加，施氮不足的农户比例逐渐增多；施磷量分布趋势与不同产量水平施氮量分布类似；农户施钾不平衡主要表现为施钾不足。内蒙古阴山地区有 71.6%的农户不施有机肥，且有机肥施用量很低，平均 7.1 t/hm²。内蒙古阴山地区马铃薯养分管理存在的主要问题是化肥施用过量和不足并存，有机肥施用量偏低。     

不同水氮供应对日光温室番茄土壤酶活性及生物环境影响的研究

采用2水平灌水量(4541.0和2270.6 m³/hm²)×3水平氮肥追施量(747.4、373.9 kg/hm²和0)，以番茄品种Skala为试材，研究了不同水、氮供应水平对日光温室越冬栽培番茄土壤中脲酶、蔗糖酶、磷酸酶等活性及细菌、放线菌、真菌等微生物数量的影响。结果表明：高灌水(4541.0 m³/hm²)或高施氮量(747.4 kg/hm²)可显著降低土壤脲酶和磷酸酶活性；水、氮协调供应有利于土壤蔗糖酶活性和土壤微生物数量的提高；通过多目标评价，在该试验条件下，当灌水量4541.0 m³/hm²、氮肥追施量373.9 kg/hm²可获得最优的土壤生物环境。     

适宜种植密度和施氮量对提高冬小麦产量和水氮利用效率的影响

针对西北地区干旱以及不合理的施氮和种植密度导致的冬小麦产量和水氮利用效率偏低的问题，探究垄膜沟播模式下冬小麦高产和水氮高效利用的最优氮肥密度管理措施。试验设置150 kg/hm²（D1）、187.5 kg/hm²（D2）、225 kg/hm²（D3）3个密度梯度和180 kg/hm²（N1）、270 kg/hm²（N2）、360 kg/hm²（N3）3个施氮水平（以N计），通过2 a（2021—2022年和2022—2023年）田间试验，研究氮密互作对冬小麦生理生长、干物质累积、产量、水分利用效率（water use efficiency，WUE）和氮利用效率（nitrogen partial factor productivity，NPFP）的影响。结果表明：与当地常规氮密处理（D1N3）相比，合理增大种植密度和减少施氮量可使抽穗期LAI提高13.93%～67.19%，最大干物质累积量和累积速率增大147.25%和65.29%。2 a产量均在D2N2处理达到最大，平均值11911.93 kg·/hm²，但2 a WUE分别在D2N2和D2N3达到最高，NPFP分别在D2N2和D3N1处理最高。通过拟合分析，2021—2022年冬小麦产量、WUE和NPFP达到最大值时所对应的种植密度与施氮量分别为195.92和260.82 kg/hm²、200.51和249.80 kg/hm²、195.92和187.35 kg/hm²，2022—2023年分别为195.92和257.14 kg/hm²、194.39和286.53 kg/hm²、197.45和183.67 kg/hm²。基于回归模型对产量、WUE和NPFP进行综合评价，最终确定种植密度180.45～190.04 kg/hm²、施氮量201.66～256.67 kg/hm²的组合模式为垄膜沟播冬小麦高产和水氮高效利用的氮密管理措施。研究结果可为西北地区冬小麦的高产高效栽培提供理论依据。     

春大豆施钼条件下最适氮磷肥施用量研究

缺乏高效的养分管理技术体系,一直是制约永州地区富硒大豆产业发展的重要因素。为优化春大豆钼肥拌种条件下氮、磷肥运筹,提高养分利用效率和产量,以“湘春豆V8”为材料,通过大田小区试验探究不同氮肥和磷肥施用水平组合对春大豆产量和产量构成、干物质和养分累积量,以及养分利用效率的影响。结果表明,(1)单独采用钼肥拌种能显著提高大豆单株有效分枝数和荚果数,增幅分别达71.4% 和10.0%;显著提高大豆的生物产量和地上部分氮素累积量,增幅分别达17.8% 和22.9%。(2)处理MN1P2(80 g/100 kg 钼肥拌种+45 kg/hm² 尿素+300 kg/hm² 钙镁磷肥)和处理MN2P1(80 g/100 kg 钼肥拌种+75 kg/hm² 尿素+150 kg/hm² 钙镁磷肥)产量分别达2675.64 和2576.49 kg/hm²;两处理氮肥农学利用率、氮肥吸收利用率、磷肥利用率、磷利用效率分别为35.15和20.97 kg/kg、181.15% 和111.53%、14.28% 和15.94%、319.69 和450.55 kg/kg。(3)相较于当地常规施肥措施(75 kg/hm² 尿素+450 g/hm² 钙镁磷肥),MN1P2 和MN2P1 两处理施氮、磷肥减施幅度分别达40%、50% 和0%、66.7%。永州贫钼地区春大豆钼肥拌种前提下,氮、磷施用量为45 kg/hm² 尿素+300 kg/hm² 钙镁磷肥或75 kg/hm²尿素+150 kg/hm² 钙镁磷肥,可在减施氮磷肥的基础上,获得较高的产量和提高大豆养分利用率。     

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