钝顶螺旋藻的真空干燥工艺优化

为提高螺旋藻的藻蓝蛋白质量浓度,针对其真空干燥工艺中3个主要干燥因素（物料厚度、干燥温度和干燥真空度）,利用响应面分析法,对工艺参数进行优化。试验数据采用Design-Expert软件进行多元回归分析,建立了3种干燥因素与藻蓝蛋白质量浓度之间的函数模型。通过响应面分析,确定钝顶螺旋藻的较佳真空干燥工艺条件为：物料厚度3?mm,干燥温度45 ℃,干燥真空度0.08 MPa,在此优化干燥条件下螺旋藻粉中的藻蓝蛋白质量浓度达12.500×10-3 mg/mL。该研究对于提高螺旋藻粉的干燥品质和产品质量具有参考意义。     

胡萝卜渗透脱水传质试验研究

通过研究胡萝卜在不同浓度、温度的蔗糖溶液中的传质现象，探讨了渗透溶液浓度和温度对胡萝卜传质的影响显著性及规律。蔗糖溶液浓度和温度的取值分别为40%、50%、60%和30℃、40℃、57℃；渗透时间为0～240 min。结果表明：蔗糖溶液温度比浓度对胡萝卜传质影响更显著；随着渗透溶液温度或浓度的增加，胡萝卜在渗透脱水时传质越明显。在渗透前30 min传质速率最快。对传质指标运用多指标综合评分法，得出了胡萝卜渗透脱水的最佳方案为渗透时间240 min，渗透溶液温度57℃，浓度60%。     

草鱼肉块渗透脱水规律研究

为了研究草鱼渗透脱水的一般规律，考察了温度(5～30℃)，时间(2～24 h)，NaCl浓度(5%～15%)，麦芽糊精浓度(0.6～1.2 g/g)以及黄原胶添加量(0～0.004 g/g)等对草鱼渗透脱水过程中鱼块失水量、糖吸收量和盐吸收量的影响。并从理论上详细解释了整个传质过程。试验结果表明：随着时间和温度的增加，失水量、糖吸收量和盐吸收量都增大。NaCl浓度增加，失水量、盐吸收量增大，糖吸收量无显著变化。麦芽糊精浓度增加，盐吸收量显著降低，糖吸收量和失水量一定程度上增大。黄原胶的添加，增大了溶液黏度，三者都减小。     

脉冲电场预处理胡萝卜片微波干燥试验

为考察脉冲电场预处理对胡萝卜片微波干燥特性的影响,以胡萝卜片微波干燥单位时间降水率和复水率作为试验指标,设计了4因素（脉冲频率、电场强度、微波功率密度和切片厚度）二次回归正交组合试验,得出经预处理后胡萝卜片微波干燥失水速率曲线。用SPSS软件进行回归分析,得到预处理后胡萝卜片微波干燥动力学方程和各指标回归方程,并对指标进行了综合优化。结果表明：经脉冲电场预处理后胡萝卜片微波干燥动力学方程分段适用Page模型;脉冲频率和电场强度对胡萝卜片微波干燥单位时间降水率影响显著;脉冲频率对复水率影响显著,电场强度对复水率影响不显著;最优工艺组合为脉冲频率30 Hz、电场强度2.0 kV/cm、微波功率密度1.0 W/g和切片厚度4.0 mm;在最优工艺条件下,胡萝卜片单位时间降水率和复水率均得到提高。     

钝顶螺旋藻的真空干燥工艺条件优化

为提高螺旋藻的藻蓝蛋白含量,针对其真空干燥工艺中3个主要干燥因素（物料厚度、干燥温度和干燥真空度）,利用响应面分析法,对工艺参数进行优化。试验数据采用Design-Expert软件进行多元回归分析,建立了3种干燥因素与藻蓝蛋白含量之间的函数模型。通过脊岭分析,确定钝顶螺旋藻的最佳真空干燥工艺条件为：物料厚度3 mm,干燥温度45 ℃,干燥真空度0.08 MPa,在此优化干燥条件下螺旋藻粉中的藻蓝蛋白含量达12.5000×10-3 mg/mL。     

板鸭干制的特性分析和工艺参数优化

以提高板鸭干制质量为目的,采用自制小型气调干燥试验设备,对板鸭进行干制试验。采用二次正交旋转组合试验设计方法,研究了热风温度、气流速度、抗氧化剂特丁基对苯二酚（Tertiary Butylhydroquinone,TBHQ）浓度对板鸭脂肪氧化程度、失水速率的影响规律。结果表明：提高干制温度和气流速度可提高脱水率,但温度升高,脂肪氧化程度增加;而提高TBHQ浓度可降低板鸭的脂肪氧化程度,提高板鸭品质。用回归分析程序拟合产品的酸价、硫代巴比妥酸（Sulfo-Barbitone Acid,TBA）值和失水速率随热风温度、气流速度和TBHQ浓度变化的回归方程,得到优化工艺参数为：热风温度为49℃,气流速度为1.84 m/s,TBHQ浓度为0.018%,在此工艺下板鸭质量指标值分别为酸价1.129 mg/g,TBA值0.168 mg/kg,失水速率3.862%/h。     

不同预处理对杏鲍菇片真空冻结品质的影响

为探索切片厚度、烫漂处理、外源水添加量等不同预处理条件对真空冻结杏鲍菇品质的影响,分析切片厚度与真空冻结失水率的关系,对烫漂、不烫漂两组物料添加不同比例的外源水后进行真空冻结对比试验。结果表明,随着切片厚度增加,杏鲍菇片真空冻结失水率呈递减趋势,为保证物料不失水而所需的外源水添加量与切片厚度之间呈现极显著的负线性关系(R2=0.98,P0.01)。不烫漂组杏鲍菇片解冻汁液流失率均显著高于烫漂组(P0.01),主要是由于其解冻前相对较高的含水率所致。烫漂组杏鲍菇片总损失率和相对电导率均显著高于不烫漂组,且均整体上随外源水添加量的增加而逐渐减小。外源水添加量可显著降低杏鲍菇片真空冻结失水率(P0.05),当外源水添加量低于20%时,不烫漂组杏鲍菇片真空冻结失水率显著高于烫漂组(P0.05),当外源水添加量高于25%时则相反。随着外源水添加量的增加,不烫漂组杏鲍菇片解冻汁液流失率整体呈增加趋势,而烫漂组解冻汁液流失率当外源水添加量高于10%时无显著性差异(P0.01)。显微结构观察表明,烫漂处理对杏鲍菇细胞网络结构产生一定破坏作用,而真空冻结前添加外源水可不同程度上降低物料组织内部水分蒸腾作用,减少对细胞组织结构的破坏。生产真空速冻杏鲍菇片时,推荐预处理条件为:切片厚度3 mm,90℃热水烫漂1 min,冻结前外源水添加量为30%。该研究结果可为食品真空冻结技术实践应用提供参考。     

真空冷却预处理在微波冻干胡萝卜片中的应用

为了探讨真空冷却预处理在微波冻干工艺中应用的可行性,该文以WDG-5型微波冻干设备为平台,以胡萝卜为试验原料,开展真空冷却预处理工艺试验以及3组不同工艺方法包括真空冷却后无冷库冻结、真空冷却后再冷库冻结、无真空冷却处理对微波冻干的影响研究。真空冷却工艺试验中,在真空泵和冷阱制冷机组满负荷运转的工况下,预处理22 min后胡萝卜片达到冰点,物料失水16.5%,在预处理60 min后,物料表层和芯部温度分别为-41.2、-29.5℃,物料总失水20%。3组冻干试验中,与无真空冷却处理组相比,真空冷却后无冷库冻结组、真空冷却后再冷库冻结组的干燥初期微波安全加载功率相对较高,冷冻干燥时间缩短了2 h,总耗电分别节省了17.3%、19.9%;3组试验的冻干胡萝卜片在含水率、复水率、颜色等指标方面均无显著差异,真空冷却后无冷库冻结组、真空冷却后再冷库冻结组的胡萝卜片维生素C保存率均超过80%,而无真空冷却处理组维生素Ｃ保存率为68%。结果表明,在胡萝卜片微波冻干工艺中应用真空冷却预处理技术,有效改善了冻干初期的微波低压放电问题,缩短干燥时间,降低能耗,并提高维生素Ｃ保存率。     

适宜涂膜预处理提高扇贝柱渗透脱水效率

溶质在渗透脱水过程中过多渗入组织不利于渗透脱水进程,同时对营养、感官特性与外观形态等均会产生不利影响。为了抑制渗透脱水过程中溶质过多渗入扇贝柱,提高渗透脱水效率,研究了壳聚糖、低甲氧基果胶与海藻酸钠等3种不同成膜预处理对扇贝柱渗透脱水过程中传质特性影响。采用Peleg模型拟合扇贝柱渗透脱水过程中传质和动力学参数;采用Fick’s第二扩散定律评估水分扩散系数（Dew）和溶质扩散系数（Des）以及渗透脱水效率（Dew/Des）。扇贝柱渗透脱水过程受到成膜材料种类、渗透溶液温度和氯化钠质量分数影响显著（P<0.05）。成膜预处理扇贝柱的水分损失和氯化钠渗入的初始速率与平衡速率均低于（P<0.05）未经涂膜的对照组。有效扩散系数随着渗透脱水温度的升高而增加,水分和氯化钠有效扩散系数范围分别为1.224×10-9～2.466×10-9 m2/s和1.152×10-9～1.894×10-9 m2/s。成膜预处理可在维持较高失水率的同时有效地控制高温渗透脱水过程中氯化钠的渗入。海藻酸钠与低甲氧基果胶成膜预处理后扇贝柱的脱水效率（Dew/Des）高于（P<0.05）对照组。然而,对于壳聚糖成膜预处理,当氯化钠液质量分数高于30%或者质量分数为20%且温度为25℃时,扇贝柱脱水效率高于（P<0.05）对照组。扇贝柱渗透脱水过程中,为了调控固形物增加和提高渗透脱水效率,成膜预处理是一种行之有效的方法,具有广阔的应用前景。     

真空冷却预处理应用于微波冻干中的试验研究

本文在分析微波冻干工艺过程及真空冷却技术特点的基础上,提出采用真空冷却预处理的微波冻干加工工艺方案,并以WDG-5型微波冻干设备为平台,试验研究其可行性。重点开展了真空冷却预处理工艺试验以及三组不同工艺方法对微波冻干的影响研究：A.真空冷却后再冷库冻结;B.真空冷却后无冷库冻结;C.无真空冷却处理。真空冷却工艺试验中,在处理22min后胡萝卜片达到冰点,物料失水16.5％,在处理60min后,物料表层和芯部温度分别为-41.2、-29.5℃,物料总失水20％。三组冻干试验中,A、B两组干燥初期微波安全加载功率相对较高,冷冻干燥时间比C组缩短了2h,总耗电比C组分别节省19.9%、17.3％;三组试验的冻干胡萝卜片在水分含量、复水率、颜色等指标方面均无显著差异,A、B两组胡萝卜片Vc保存率达到82.5％,而C组Vc保存率为68％。结果表明,在微波冻干工艺中应用真空冷却预处理技术,可简化加工工艺,有效改善了冻干初期的微波低压放电问题,缩短干燥时间,降低能耗,并提高Vc保存率。     

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