西安地区全新世气候变化与土壤侵蚀研究

为了揭示西安地区全新世环境变化和黄土地层的侵蚀期,利用野外调查和化学分析等方法,研究了西安地区全新世黄土与古土壤发育时的气候变化和不同气候阶段的土壤侵蚀。通过野外调查,在西安白鹿塬区发现了在黄土塬区很少见到全新世中期古土壤分为3个层次,整个全新世黄土剖面可分为5层,表明黄土塬区全新世气候变化与沙尘暴活动与河谷地区一样可分为5个阶段。土层氧化物、微量元素、CaCO3含量和磁化率测定结果显示,西安白鹿塬区全新世8 500~6 000年和5 000~3 100年古土壤发育时较10 000~8 500年、6 000~5 000年和3 100年以来的黄土发育时夏季风活动强,降水量多,气候湿润,沙尘暴活动弱。中全新世8 500~6 000年间发育的S02古土壤中Fe2O3和Al2O3有一定富集,该层土壤类型相当于黄棕壤,指示当时年平均降水量较现今多150 mm左右。虽然沙尘暴活动很弱的间冰期是黄土地层理论上的侵蚀期,但是实际上这一时期的土壤侵蚀很弱。全新世黄土的侵蚀主要发生在气候冷干时期,不是发生在温湿时期。全新世中期6 000~5 000年间的黄土侵蚀率一般大于堆积率,使得广大地区全新世中期的薄层黄土在绝大多数地区受到侵蚀而消失。全新世中期薄层黄土发育时气候变冷干引起的植被退化是当时土壤侵蚀加强和出现侵蚀期的原因。     

秦岭南北黄土-古土壤微形态特征比较

以秦岭南侧黄坪村(HPC)和黄土高原长城塬(CCY)剖面为研究对象,对黄土-古土壤微形态进行了详细观察和比较,探究了微形态差异原因及意义。研究发现:(1)HPC和CCY剖面中,粗颗粒的等圆直径、面积、长度、周长等参数均表现为L_1L_tL_0S_0,古土壤S_0的黏土、孔隙含量均明显高于黄土(L_0、L_t、L_1),说明秦岭南北两侧晚更新以来黄土-古土壤的成壤强度均是经历了弱→强→弱的变化,指示了其都经历了干冷→暖湿→干冷的气候演变阶段。(2)粗颗粒的等圆直径、面积、长度、周长等形态参数反映了HPC剖面粗颗粒粒径小于CCY剖面;HPC剖面以淀积黏土为主,方解石完全淋失,孔隙以孔隙壁光滑的孔洞、孔道为主,而CCY剖面中以残积黏土为主,次生方解石发育,简单、复杂堆叠孔隙以及囊状孔隙占优势,说明了郧县盆地黄土-古土壤序列风化成壤程度强于黄土高原。     

淳化黄土—古土壤序列黏土矿物分布特征及古环境意义

黄土-古土壤序列是记录第四纪气候环境变化的良好信息载体之一。以黄土高原南缘陕西省淳化黄土-古土壤序列为研究对象,通过X射线衍射法对黄土-古土壤剖面黏土矿物进行定性与半定量分析,调查不同土层黏土矿物相对含量及伊利石/绿泥石比值(I/C值)的变化规律,并结合伊利石结晶度的变化特征,探讨不同土层黏土矿物特征所对应的气候变化规律,揭示黄土高原南部地区在更新世时期的气候环境演变规律。结果表明:(1)淳化剖面黏土矿物的相对含量、I/C值以及伊利石结晶度IC值在反演古气候方面具有较好的指示性。(2)淳化剖面不同土层的黏土矿物类型基本相同,但其相对含量存在差异。在WL-3~S5阶段,即早更新世至中更新世中期,黏土矿物的组合类型为伊利石-蒙脱石-绿泥石-高岭石-蛭石,其中早更新世至中更新世早期(WL-3~L11阶段),伊利石相对含量相对偏低,气候以温凉为主,而中更新世中期(S10~S5阶段),伊利石相对含量上升,但蒙脱石、绿泥石含量均降低,气候相对温湿;在中更新世晚期(L5~S1阶段),黏土矿物的组合类型改变为伊利石-绿泥石-蛭石-高岭石-蒙脱石,以伊利石和绿泥石为主,气候较为干冷。黏土矿物类型及含量表明淳化地区从早更新世早期到中更新世晚期气候环境总体干冷化,并经历了温凉-温湿-干冷的变化过程。(3)I/C值以及伊利石结晶度IC值从剖面底部到顶部均经历了由小到大再到小的过程,它们与黏土矿物的含量所反映的气候变化规律一致。本研究有助于探索黄土高原南部地区在更新世时期的气候环境变化,为全面了解更新世黄土高原不同地区第四纪气候环境演变提供依据。     

郧西县庹家湾黄土剖面色度参数特征及其古气候重建

通过对湖北省郧西县庹家湾黄土剖面的色度参数分析,并结合磁化率、粒度、铷锶比(Rb/Sr)指标揭示汉江上游地区风成黄土的色度特征及其与气候变化的关系。应用X-rite VS450型分光测色仪对庹家湾黄土剖面色度参数进行了测量。结果表明:庹家湾黄土剖面红度a*的变化与沉积物氧化铁含量呈显著正相关,平均值由高到低依次为S_0(6.34)MS(5.52)L_t(5.18)L_0(4.98)L_1(4.82)T_(1-al_2)(3.66);亮度L*的变化与氧化铁含量和有机质含量均呈负相关,其中氧化铁含量对L*的影响更大,L*在黄土层出现了峰值;色调角h*在古土壤层呈现低值(68.64°),黄土层呈现高值,a*/b*与h*特征相反,在古土壤呈现高值(0.39),黄土层呈现低值;其中在马兰黄土L_1中存在两层弱古土壤层L_1-S_2、L_1-S_1,其色度参数特征较L_1具有较高的a*值和a*/b*值及较低的L*值和h*。黄度b*指示该区域气候变化有一定的局限性,h*、a*/b*、L*和a*均可作为良好的气候替代指标,a*值和a*/b*值越大指示气候越暖湿,成壤作用越强,L*值和h*越大指示气候越冷干,成壤作用越弱。h*、a*/b*、L*和a*共同记录了该地区晚更新世以来气候经历了晚更新世末期的干冷、全新世早期逐渐回暖、全新世中期的温暖湿润、全新世晚期气候逐渐干冷,在马兰黄土形成时期,气候出现了短暂的温暖湿润期(27.5~21.5ka B.P.)。     

辽宁朝阳凤凰山剖面古土壤序列土壤发育特征研究

通过对形态特征、矿质元素含量变化及分布特征、元素的淋溶(或聚积)状况、土壤发育指标等进行分析,探讨了辽宁朝阳凤凰山剖面古土壤序列的土壤发育特征和发育程度。研究结果表明,在凤凰山古土壤剖面中,自地表向下至19.85 m范围内,除现代土壤层S0(0～108 cm)外,还可划分出9个土壤地层,包括5层黄土(L1～L5)和4层古红土(S1～S4)。所有这些土壤地层都是发育在风积粉尘母质上的古土壤,形成时间介于71～423 ka B.P.之间。古土壤的发生与成土母质(粉尘)的沉积同步进行,发育成红色还是黄色的古土壤决定于不同的成土环境条件和粉尘沉积速率的相对大小。在凤凰山古土壤序列中,各层古红土比各层黄土质古土壤经受了更强的风化和淋溶作用,古红土发育程度明显强于黄土质古土壤。5层黄土质古土壤比较,土壤发育程度最弱的是L1层,最强的是L5层;比较4层古红土的发育程度,最弱的是S2层。纵观凤凰山古土壤序列,各个发育不同程度的古土壤交错排列,说明当地成土环境(气候)在423～71 ka B.P.间经过多次波动变化。     

渭河流域全新世古洪水滞流沉积物地球化学特征

对渭河流域野外实地详细调查,在渭河中游发现了具有典型古洪水滞流沉积物(SWD)的全新世黄土-古土壤沉积剖面。根据地层学对比和OSL测年,确定渭河流域在3200-2800aB.P.发生了特大古洪水事件。对沉积物地球化学特征分析表明,SWD为典型的古洪水滞流沉积物,各化学元素和氧化物的变异系数大,元素数据分布较为分散;Fe2O3、Al2O3、Ba、Cr、Cu、V、Rb含量高于S0和L0,SiO2、Zr含量低于S0和L0;化学元素粒度效应表明,SWD粒径小、粘粒强,是在滞流环境的水动力条件下沉积而成;通过气候指标Rb/Sr和Ba/Sr分析,认为古洪水滞流沉积物(SWD)记录的3200-2800aB.P.的特大古洪水事件,是在全新世大暖期结束之际,因夏季风减弱、气候系统不稳定、降水变率较大所导致的。     

甘肃天水地区中新世古土壤的微形态特征及其古环境意义

通过对甘肃天水地区中新世古土壤(孙家剖面的第17～20层古土壤、下山剖面的第79～82层古土壤)微形态、粒度、碳酸钙含量、Rb/Sr、CIW、磁化率和色度指标的综合分析,揭示出该区中新世古土壤发育强度普遍高于当地现代土壤,其中早中新世中晚期古土壤发育程度相对较弱,古土壤类型为森林-森林草原型褐土-碳酸盐褐土,成壤时期气候为湿润-半湿润,指示亚洲季风可能在早中新世中晚期已经出现,强度较弱,但仍高于现代当地季风强度;中中新世古土壤发育程度强,古土壤类型为森林淋溶型褐土至棕壤,成壤时期气候温暖湿润,说明中中新世夏季风可能已很强盛,并且明显高于现在当地季风强度。     

皖南网纹红土的剖面风化特征及其古气候意义

气候变化下土壤物质过程的响应特征是全球变化研究的重要主题。选取安徽宣城剖面,通过元素分析,对其风化强度特征进行了研究。结合与黄土高原第四纪黄土、古土壤、江苏镇江下蜀土以及江西九江红土等典型风成堆积剖面的对比分析,得出以下结论:(1)宣城红土剖面经历了高强度的化学风化作用,长石损失殆尽,进一步的风化作用已导致其含K矿物(黑云母、伊利石和钾长石)的分解,次生粘土矿物以高岭石为主。此外,宣城红土与其他剖面相比,显著强于镇江下蜀土,远强于洛川黄土与古土壤,而与九江红土的风化程度较为相近。(2)在地形、母岩等条件相似的情况下,气候(特别是温度和降水量)是控制化学风化程度的主要因素,并且与温度相比降水因素可能起着更为重要的制约作用。(3)在地质历史时期,宣城→镇江→洛川,随着地域的北移,气候环境向干冷方向发展。(4)BA,Na/K和硅铁铝率的剖面变化特征揭示,中更新世早、中期,气候相对温暖潮湿,之后气候总体恶化,向干冷方向发展。但在此过程中,伴随着大姑-庐山间冰期和末次间冰期的到来气候又出现过两次短暂的回暖过程,并且在晚更新世早期呈现兼有干湿交替的特征。     

土壤发育指标与气候因子的关系及辽西地区古气候重建

通过对我国现代气候条件下发育的22个土壤剖面发育指标的分析,运用相关性分析方法建立了土壤发育指标与气候因子的关系—转换函数,并将之运用于辽宁朝阳凤凰山古土壤剖面古气候参数重建中,得出71 ～423 ka BP以来的古气候参数值:403 ～423 ka BP期间年均降雨量为523.92 ～574.42 mm,年均温为10.6～11.0℃;311 ～403 ka BP期间年均降雨量为1 184.6 ～1 277.2mm,年均温为15.6～16.6℃;243～311 ka BP期间年均降雨量为517.24 ～669.08 mm,年均温为9.18 ～12.2℃;225 ～243 ka BP期间年均降雨量为1 302.7 mm,年均温为16.5℃;208 ～225 ka BP期间年均降雨量为642.54～731.42 mm,年均温为10.1～11.6℃;176～208 ka BP期间年均降雨量为1 231.4 mm,年均温为16.0℃;148 ～ 176 ka BP期间年均降雨量为640.49 ～682.09 mm,年均温为8.49 ～9.13℃;71 ～148 ka BP期间年均降雨量为1 128.2 ～1 294.0 mm,年均温为16.1 ～16.6℃.辽宁朝阳现今全年平均气温9℃,年均降水量450～ 500 mm,说明该地区42万年以来气候有过多次波动,但总的趋势是由温暖湿润向寒冷干旱演化.     

周原全新世复合古土壤和成壤环境的微形态学研究

通过对陕西周原黄土剖面的微形态研究 ,结合微量元素、粒度及磁化率分析 ,探讨了黄土风化成壤的特征 ;揭示出该剖面的全新世古土壤S0 是温暖湿润的环境下形成的具有强烈粘化特征的复合土壤 ,是 60 0 0～ 5 0 0 0aB .P .出现的区域性干旱气候事件造成风尘加速堆积的结果。关中盆地在 85 0 0～60 0 0aB .P .风化成壤最为强烈 ,气候最为暖湿。在 5 0 0 0～ 3 1 0 0aB .P .又出现了一个比较强烈的成壤时期。而最近 3 1 0 0年以来是一个风尘堆积较强的相对干旱期。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.