田间旱育条件下不同化感潜力水稻的抑草效应分析

研究了田间旱育条件下, 在土壤水分充足和适度干旱状态时, 化感水稻"PI312777"和非化感水稻"Lemont"的抑草效应差异.结果表明, 在两种供水状态下, 化感水稻"PI312777"对田间杂草的控制效应显著高于非化感水稻"Lemont","PI312777"对各种杂草抑制效应指数的绝对值多在0.5以上, 而"Lemont"对各种杂草抑制效应指数的绝对值则多在0.5以下.进一步分析发现, 适度干旱胁迫下"PI312777"和"Lemont"对杂草的抑制效应都有增强趋势, 且"PI312777"稻田杂草生物量的降低幅度高于"Lemont"稻田; 以与非化感水稻"Lemont"共生下的杂草生物量为对照, 化感水稻"PI312777"对稻田杂草均表现出一定的化感抑制作用, 且适度干旱胁迫诱导下化感作用强度进一步增加.此外, 水稻对不同杂草的生物干扰强度不同, 化感水稻"PI312777"对夏熟稻田阔叶杂草有较强的控制效果, 干旱胁迫诱导"PI312777"对无芒稗(Echinochloa crusgalli L.)的化感潜力明显增强.     

田间旱育条件下不同化感潜力水稻的生理特性分析

以国际公认的化感水稻品种“PI312777”和非化感水稻品种“Lemont”为材料, 研究了田间旱育条件下2 种水稻的生长特性及其对水分和杂草胁迫的生理响应。结果表明, 在水分和杂草双重胁迫下, 田间水稻生长势表现为“PI312777”(旱地)＞“Lemont”(湿地)≥“PI312777”(湿地)＞“Lemont”(旱地)。进一步分析发现, 在各处理小区, 以适度干旱小区化感水稻“PI312777”叶片的叶绿素含量、保护酶活性、光合速率、水分利用效率最高,蒸腾速率最低; 以适度干旱小区非化感水稻“Lemont”叶片的光合速率、保护酶活性、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白和水分利用效率最低, MDA 含量积累最高。与非化感水稻“Lemon”相比, 化感水稻“PI312777”对水分的利用效率更高, 有更强的适应水分缺乏的能力。     

不同化感潜力水稻钾离子吸收动力学差异分析

水培条件下, 采用离子耗竭法研究培养液中不同营养元素对化感水稻“PI312777”和非化感水稻“Lemont”钾离子吸收能力的影响, 并分析两水稻品种根部钾离子吸收相关基因的差异表达。结果表明, 不同处理下, 化感水稻“PI312777”相对于对照的△K_m、-△I_max 和△C_min 变化范围均较小, 与非化感水稻“Lemont”相比差异达显著水平。不同处理下, 两水稻品种的K_m 值和C_min 值的变化趋势为完全营养液培养未饥饿处理水稻(K_Control)>完全营养液培养饥饿处理水稻(K_All)>只含N、P、K 的营养液培养饥饿处理水稻(KNPK)>只含N、K 的营养液培养饥饿处理水稻(K_NK)>只含P、K 的营养液培养饥饿处理水稻(K_PK)>无N、P、K 的完全营养液培养饥饿处理水稻(K_Other)>只含K 的营养液培养饥饿处理水稻(K_K), 最大吸收速率I_max 值则相反。可见, 不同营养元素对两水稻钾离子吸收存在显著影响, 其中N 素的影响高于P 素, P 素高于其他元素。水稻根部钾离子吸收相关基因的差异表达分析结果显示, 不同处理条件下两水稻品种钾离子吸收相关基因均上调表达, 但非化感水稻“Lemont”的表达强度高于化感水稻“PI312777”。可见, 非化感水稻“Lemont”响应环境因素变化的敏感度高于化感水稻“PI312777”。     

不同化感潜力水稻品种对低钾的生理与分子响应

选择国际公认的化感水稻品种“P1312777”和非化感水稻品种“Lemont”为材料,在K元素为5mg·L^-1（低K）和40mg·L^-1（正常K）2个水平的营养液中培养,通过水稻形态学指标（根长、株高、根冠比和生物量）、生理生化指标（SOD、POD、CAT、根系活力及植株中N、P、K含量）,评价不同化感潜力水稻品种对低K胁迫的生理响应,并采用实时荧光定量PCR（Realtime Fluorescent Quantitative PCR,FQ-PCR）,分析了低K胁迫下水稻根和叶中与N、P、K吸收利用相关的12个关键酶的基因表达差异。结果表明,低K促进了化感水稻“P1312777”根的生长,根冠比加大,生物量增加,但对株高的影响不显著;而该条件下非化感水稻“Lemont”的上述指标均受到不同程度的抑制。低K对两种水稻的保护酶系（SOD、POD、CAT）和根系活力均有一定程度的抑制作用,植株中N、P、K含量降低,但非化感水稻“Lemont”受抑制的程度远大于化感水稻“P1312777”。FQ-PCR检测结果表明,低K胁迫下两种水稻根、叶中的12个关键酶的基因均呈现上调表达,而化感水稻“P1312777”的基因表达上调倍数均明显大于非化感水稻“Lemont”。低K胁迫下两种水稻品种的形态学差异、生理与分子响应均表明,化感水稻“P1312777”比非化感水稻“Lemont”具有更强的适应K匮乏的能力。     

田间旱育条件下不同化感潜力水稻根际土壤酚酸类和萜类物质分析

酚酸类和萜类是水稻化感作用研究中研究较多、争议较大的2大类化感物质,但目前有关水稻根系分泌物的研究多在实验室条件下进行。本文以国际公认的强化感水稻‘PI312777’和弱化感水稻‘Lemont’为材料,以未种植水稻的土壤为对照,研究了其在田间旱育条件下,不同土壤水分状态(旱地和湿地)时,根际土壤酚酸类和萜类物质的差异。结果表明,不同水分条件下不同化感潜力水稻品种和对照根际土壤中酚酸类物质和萜类物质的组成较为相似,但各物质含量存在一定差异。适度旱胁迫下,各处理根际土壤中所检测到的咖啡酸、对羟基苯甲酸、香草酸、阿魏酸和肉桂酸5种酚酸类物质及总量均有提高,其中强化感水稻‘PI312777’根际土壤中5种酚酸类物质提高最显著,比CK湿地处理提高2.84倍;在各处理根际土壤共检测到的27种萜类物质中,17种是含氧单萜;干旱胁迫导致各处理根际土壤单萜烯、含氧单萜、含氧倍半萜和总萜变化程度和变化趋势不同,单萜烯相对含量在强化感水稻‘PI312777’根际土壤中明显提高,而在弱化感水稻‘Lemont’和对照根际土壤中则降低。本文在此基础上讨论了由此导致2种水稻田间化感抑草效果差异的原因与机制。     

不同化感潜力水稻化感效应与产量的关系

本研究探讨了连续3年5种不同化感潜力水稻田间抑草效应、产量及其之间相互关系。结果表明,不同种植时间,不同化感潜力水稻田间种植过程中伴生杂草总生物量以非化感水稻"Lemont"最大,化感水稻"PI-1"最小。化感潜力分析结果表明,不同化感潜力水稻以化感水稻"PI-1"化感抑草潜力最强,非化感水稻"Lemont"最弱。水稻产量分析结果表明,不除草条件下,不同种植时间均以化感水稻"PI-1"产量最高,非化感水稻"Lemont"产量最低。除草条件下,依然以化感水稻"PI-1"产量最高,化感水稻"IAC47"产量最小。杂草生物量、水稻化感潜力与水稻产量的相关性分析结果表明,不同化感潜力水稻产量的大小与田间杂草生物量存在极显著负相关,与化感潜力大小存在极显著正相关。     

水稻品种"Lemont"响应低氮培养及共培稗草的上调表达基因分析

营养匮乏和伴生杂草是水稻种植过程中的常见影响因素。本研究应用抑制消减杂交(SSH)技术,分别研究低氮、稗草条件下,非化感水稻品种"Lemont"的上调表达基因。结果显示,低氮条件下,"Lemont"水稻中参与生长调控的生长素响应蛋白,参与抗逆防御的类NBS-LRR蛋白、过氧化氢酶、金属硫因蛋白,以及参与蛋白质代谢相关蛋白的编码基因上调表达。稗草共培下,编码NADH脱氢酶、细胞色素氧化酶、ATP依赖性RNA解旋酶等与植物生长相关的基因,与抗逆防御相关的几丁质酶和糖基水解酶基因,以及与信号转导相关的锌指蛋白及组氨酸激酶基因增强表达。研究结果表明,非化感水稻"Lemont"能够通过调节抗逆以及生长调节相关基因的表达,从而响应不同的胁迫。     

硅对水稻几丁质酶和β-1,3-葡聚糖酶活性的影响及其与抗纹枯病的关系

在溶液培养条件下,以水稻抗病品种91SP和感病品种Lemont为材料,研究施硅和接种纹枯病菌对水稻纹枯病发生情况、外切几丁质酶、内切几丁质酶和β-1,3-葡聚糖酶活性的影响。结果表明,施硅能降低抗病品种91SP的纹枯病病级和病情指数,显著降低感病品种Lemont的病级和病情指数。在未接种纹枯病菌条件下,施硅增加了抗病品种几丁质酶活性,增加了感病品种的几丁质酶活性,但对β-1,3-葡聚糖酶活性影响不大。接种纹枯病菌后,水稻几丁质酶活性被迅速激活后又下降,施硅通过提高抗病品种91SP几丁质酶和β-1,3-葡聚糖酶活性,以及通过提高感病品种Lemont几丁质酶活性来增强对纹枯病的抗性,但感病品种Lemont施硅处理的几丁质酶活性降低幅度小于抗病品种91SP。     

缺钾对水稻不同品种光合和能量耗散的影响

试验测定了钾敏感型(二九丰)和钾钝感型(原丰早)两个水稻品种在缺钾处理41.d后其剑叶的生长、光合光响应曲线、叶绿素荧光参数光响应曲线和暗弛豫动力学曲线。结果表明,缺钾降低了水稻剑叶的光合作用,显著抑制了生长。但是缺钾条件下导致两个水稻品种净光合速率(Pn)下降的主导因子并不相同。在缺钾条件下,原丰早(YFZ)剑叶的Pn随气孔导度(Gs)和胞间CO2浓度(Ci)的下降而下降,但叶绿素荧光参数和叶绿素含量几乎没有变化,说明其Pn下降主要归于气孔的限制。缺钾处理41.d后,二九丰(EJF)在低光强下[500mol/(m2.s)],Pn随Gs和Ci下降,但在更强的光强下,Pn和Gs继续下降,而Ci开始上升,并在1200mol/(m2.s)处超越了对照,说明此时主导因子不单受气孔限制,还受非气孔因子限制;它的光饱和点从1200mol/(m2.s)下降到大约500mol/(m2.s);同时,其荧光参数Fv/Fm、ФPSII、qP和ETR随光强上升而迅速下降,而L(PFD)、E和PP迅速增加,NPQ在1200mol/(m2.s)光强下上升,但是在高光强下却迅速降低,甚至低于对照,而且Fm、Fv/Fm下降,Fo上升,均说明缺钾处理可能使光合机构受到了伤害,发生了光抑制。对非光化学猝灭的分析得到其中间组分qNm可能起了更大的能量耗散作用,部分激发能从PSⅡ转移到PSⅠ,降低了PSⅡ耗散能量的压力。以上结果表明,两品种对钾敏感性不同极可能也与缺钾条件下光保护能力的差异有关。     

苗期不同化感潜力水稻根际土壤酶活性分析

为揭示化感水稻根际土壤酶活性与水稻化感潜力的关系,在前期研究的基础上,以化感水稻“P1312777”、“IAC47”、“Iguape”和非化感水稻“Lemont”为材料,测定了苗期旱作水稻根际土壤酶活性。结果表明,化感水稻抑制了根际土壤的脱氢酶、过氧化物酶、多酚氧化酶、脲酶活性、纤维素分解酶活性,提高了酸性磷酸酶、、碱性磷酸酶、蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶活性。脲酶、多酚氧化酶活性与水稻化感潜力呈显著负相关,酸性磷酸酶、碱性磷酸酶与水稻化感潜力呈显著正相关,蛋白酶、脱氢酶活性与其他土壤酶、土壤微生物区系、水稻化感潜力间均无显著相关性。化感水稻降低根际土壤多酚氧化酶活性,有利于根际化感物质的积累,提高了酸性磷酸酶、碱性磷酸酶、蔗糖酶活性,促进土壤磷、碳循环,为实现水稻化感效应奠定基础。     

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