等离子体辅助玉米醇溶蛋白电诱导沉积成膜的工艺优化

天然玉米醇溶蛋白（Zein）具有良好成膜特性,但其在成膜过程中蛋白无序排列导致膜结构不稳定,限制了实际应用。该研究基于玉米醇溶蛋白的电荷特性,将玉米醇溶蛋白置于平行匀强电场下,诱导蛋白有序自组装排列并沉积成膜,且在诱导液中引入低温等离子体预处理以提高诱导效率。分别探究了玉米醇溶蛋白浓度、溶液pH值以及电流密度对蛋白沉积率的影响,并通过Box-Behnken优化试验获得了最佳沉积工艺为Zein浓度139.5 mg/mL,Zein溶液pH 值为8.17,电流密度14.3 A/m2,在优化条件下,玉米醇溶蛋白的沉积率可达1.120 mg/cm2,显著高于未经等离子体处理的沉积率0.483 mg/cm2,表明等离子体辅助可有效提高电诱导中玉米醇溶蛋白的沉积率。扫描电子显微镜图像显示采用等离子体辅助电诱导制备的沉积膜表面更平整、光滑。傅里叶红外光谱分析表明,电诱导可使玉米醇溶蛋白二级结构中β-转角和无规则卷曲结构向β-折叠及α-螺旋结构转化。研究结果为电诱导玉米醇溶蛋白成膜技术提供参考,有利于拓展低温等离子体在蛋白质领域的应用。     

电场处理改善玉米醇溶蛋白膜理化性质

传统浇铸法制备的玉米醇溶蛋白薄膜表面粗糙,机械性质及耐水性较差。为了改善玉米醇溶蛋白理化性质,在传统浇铸法膜制备过程中引入平行匀强电场(1~5 A/m2)处理蛋白成膜液。经过电场处理后,玉米醇溶蛋白表面光滑、形状完整。试验结果表明:电场处理可改善薄膜力学性质、表面疏水性、水蒸气透过率等性质;随着电流密度的增大,薄膜拉伸强度、断裂伸长率、水蒸气透过率、吸水率以及表面接触角呈现规律性增加或者减小;电场处理下薄膜热特性改变,与未处理组相比变性温度略有提高,最大增幅为19.5℃。当电流密度为4 A/m2时,薄膜理化性质较佳:拉伸强度、断裂伸长率分别为73.09 MPa和9.68%,吸水率降低至14.87%,水蒸气透过率为2.55×10-8 g·m/(m2·h·Pa),静态接触角为62.18°,变性温度提高到118.39℃,热稳定性提高,薄膜表面光滑。电场可诱导成膜液中分子有序性排列,提高薄膜均一性;通过调节电流密度可得到具有一定力学强度和亲/疏水性的薄膜。试验结果为制备具有特定功能性的纯玉米醇溶蛋白薄膜材料提供了理论依据。     

玉米淀粉糊的流变学特性分析

利用生物显微镜分析系统观察玉米淀粉颗粒的外形及结构,并利用旋转黏度计研究了不同玉米淀粉乳制备淀粉糊的流变性能,根据其流变性能数据非线性回归得到淀粉糊在不同温度下的流变模型.研究结果表明:在试验中所设的剪切速率范围内,淀粉糊的剪切应力均是随着剪切速率的增加而增大;且在同一剪切速率同一温度下,淀粉与水的比值越大,淀粉糊所受的剪切应力就越大;相同比例淀粉乳形成的淀粉糊在同一剪切速率下,随着温度的升高而剪切应力减小;玉米淀粉糊属于屈服-假塑性流体,模型的拟合相关系数γ2在0.990～1.000之间,说明屈服-假塑性流体模犁能有效地表征玉米淀粉糊的流变性能.淀粉糊的流变学特性研究为进一步淀粉胶黏剂的开发及利用提供了理论和试验依据.     

气流粉碎对玉米淀粉结构及理化性质的影响

为研究气流粉碎对玉米淀粉结构及理化性质的影响,该文以普通玉米淀粉为原料,通过流化床气流粉碎处理,采用扫描电子显微镜、偏光显微镜、粒度分析仪、X-射线衍射仪、红外光谱仪、差示扫描量热仪、快速黏度分析仪等分析手段研究经微细化处理前后玉米淀粉颗粒形貌、晶体结构、热力学特性、糊化特性、溶解度和膨胀度、冻融稳定性、持水能力等结构及性质的变化。结果表明,微细化处理后,淀粉颗粒形变的不规则,粒径明显减小,中位径(D50)由14.37μm减小到5.25μm,偏光十字减少,相对结晶度由33.43%降低至15.46%,淀粉颗粒结晶结构被破坏,由多晶态向无定形态转变,粉碎过程淀粉无新的基团产生;热焓值、糊化温度均降低,热糊稳定性好;溶解度、膨胀度均升高,持水能力增加,冻融稳定性好,产生较好的热糊稳定性和冷糊力学稳定性,该研究为玉米淀粉的深度加工与应用提供了理论依据及技术支撑。     

魔芋粉-壳聚糖-聚乙烯醇共混胶黏剂的流变模型

为了拓宽魔芋粉的应用领域,开发环境友好型木材胶黏剂,并更准确地把握该胶在胶合板生产中的工艺参数,该文在前期葡甘聚糖-壳聚糖-聚乙烯醇共混胶黏剂的胶合机理、微观结构表征和流变特性的研究基础上,通过TA流变仪的扫描测试进一步研究了该共混胶黏剂的流变模型。首先对胶黏剂分别进行动态温度扫描和等温时间扫描曲线分析,接着进行稳态和动态流变曲线分析建立了复数黏度与剪切黏度的对应关系,然后根据Dual-Arrhenius方程建立了复合胶黏剂的化学流变模型,最后对胶黏剂的黏度和工艺条件进行了预测。结果表明:通过动态温度扫描曲线分析,温度较低时,复数黏度缓慢下降;从玻璃化温度到凝胶化温度,复数黏度迅速下降;从凝胶化温度到160℃左右,复数黏度出现平台区;160℃以上复数黏度急剧增大;通过等温时间扫描曲线分析得到随着温度的升高,反应速率加快,温度越高固化增黏时间越短;通过对比稳态和动态流变曲线,验证了Cox-Merz定律对于该胶的有效性;100~160℃时胶黏剂体系的相对黏度特性符合Dual-Arrhenius黏度方程;该模型与测试结果吻合性较好,利用该模型可以预测胶合板热压工艺所需要的工艺参数,并能动态模拟整个热压工艺过程中的黏度变化;综合得出在160℃附近黏度急剧上升,黏度随时间延长增加,理想的加压时机是温度升至130℃后保温15~20 min。该研究成果为胶黏剂固化工艺条件的确定提供了理论依据。     

螺杆挤压连续汽爆玉米秸秆流变性分析

为玉米秸秆在装置内的流场模拟提供重要物性参数,用螺杆挤压连续汽爆装置处理玉米秸秆,对得到的挤出物和汽爆物进行流变性分析。该文研究了玉米秸秆挤出物和汽爆物在不同温度下的流变曲线、温度对其表观黏度的影响,利用测试数据对其流变模式进行了线性拟合。结果表明：玉米秸秆挤出物和汽爆物具有明显的剪切稀化现象,均属假塑性流体;在低剪切速率时,流变曲线受温度的影响不明显,在高剪切速率下,流变曲线受温度的影响较明显;通过运用宾汉、卡森和幂律3种流变模式进行线性拟合发现,玉米秸秆挤出物和汽爆物的拟合效果均为幂律模式最佳,宾汉模式最差;挤出物和汽爆物的幂律模式本构方程可用于计算精确的流场模拟结果,为挤出物在单螺杆内和汽爆物在连续酶解装置的流动状态提供模拟依据。     

碾轧时间和频率对玉米淀粉机械力化学效应的影响

为了研究碾轧对玉米淀粉机械力化学效应的影响,该研究以玉米淀粉为原料,采用扫描电镜、偏光显微镜、激光共聚焦显微镜、X-射线衍射、傅立叶变换红外光谱仪、差示扫描量热仪、快速黏度分析仪等手段来研究碾轧处理时间和转速对样品的表面形貌、粒度分布、结晶结构、糊化特性和热特性等结构和性质的影响。结果表明,在频率为20 Hz条件下,碾轧处理3~9 h时,碾轧对淀粉结晶结构破坏作用较弱,主要是对颗粒的无定型区产生了破坏作用,破坏了无定型区的双螺旋结构,中央腔变大,孔道模糊。碾轧处理3~6 h时,淀粉颗粒形状发生不规则变化,粒径也发生了相应的变化,热焓值下降,而结晶度下降不显著。在碾轧处理9 h时,球状凸起变大,水溶指数、膨胀度、透光率、峰值黏度和热焓值都有所减小,而淀粉乳稳定性增强。碾轧处理12~24 h时,淀粉颗粒表面球状凸起变的不明显,淀粉颗粒结晶区内部双螺旋结构破坏,孔道增多变粗,粒径增大,热焓值下降。总之,频率为20 Hz时的碾轧处理对淀粉颗粒的无定形区、结晶区产生不同程度的机械力化学作用,导致玉米淀粉颗粒内部依次发生了受力、聚集和团聚效应。而频率为30 Hz时,由于剪切力更强,碾轧处理对淀粉结构和性质的影响更为显著。     

茶多糖对面包粉及其淀粉糊化和老化特性的影响

为探索茶多糖作为添加剂在面包制品中应用的可行性,该文利用差示扫描量热法(DSC)、X-衍射分析了1%～5%茶多糖的添加对面包粉及其淀粉糊化、老化的影响,结果表明:随茶多糖浓度的增加,面包粉及其淀粉糊化的吸热焓(ΔH1)、峰温不断增加。面包粉及其淀粉胶在4℃下贮藏20d的老化过程中,随贮藏时间的延长,吸热焓、老化速率不断增加;随茶多糖浓度的增加,老化热焓(ΔH2)、老化速率、结晶速率不断减少,但玻璃化温度随茶多糖浓度的增加而不断提高。综合结果表明,面包粉添加1%～2%的茶多糖而面包淀粉添加2%～3%的茶多糖,具有明显抑制样品的老化热焓、老化速率和结晶速率的作用。     

丁香酚对高粱醇溶蛋白可食性膜结构及性能的影响

为开发天然的可降解、可食性包装材料,以高粱醇溶蛋白为原料,采用溶液共混的方法制备可食性丁香酚/高粱醇溶蛋白复合膜,分析不同浓度丁香酚对可食性高粱醇溶蛋白膜物理性能及微观结构的影响并探讨其变化机理。结果表明,添加4%丁香酚可优化蛋白膜的机械性能,提升膜的拉伸强度(TS)和断裂伸长率(EAB);添加丁香酚不影响蛋白膜的水蒸气透过系数(WVP),但略微提高了蛋白膜的溶解度;添加4%丁香酚可增加蛋白膜对紫外光和可见光的吸光度值,即增强膜的光阻隔性能。DSC测量显示,添加丁香酚后降低了高粱醇溶蛋白的玻璃态转变温度(Tg),表明丁香酚提高了丁香酚/高粱醇溶蛋白复合膜的延展性;FTIR分析结果表明,添加丁香酚后使得高粱醇溶蛋白二级结构中的α-螺旋、无规则卷曲转变为β-折叠、β-转角,表明丁香酚有助于提高丁香酚/高粱醇溶蛋白复合膜的机械性能;SEM结果显示,4%丁香酚与高粱醇溶蛋白的相容性良好,制备的复合膜截面光滑紧致。本研究结果为可降解、可食性膜新材料的研究及应用推广提供了理论参考。     

等离子体辅助玉米醇溶蛋白自组装纤维化的工艺

植物蛋白纤维由于其独特的结构和极高的纵横比可作为良好的疏水性生物活性物质的递送载体。为了提高玉米醇溶蛋白在酸热诱导下的纤维化程度,该研究采用低温等离子体技术辅助完成玉米醇溶蛋白自组装纤维化,探究诱导过程中各因素对玉米醇溶蛋白纤维化程度的影响机制,并通过单因素和响应面试验获得最优纤维化工艺。硫黄素T（ThT）荧光强度结果显示,采用等离子体辅助酸热诱导可以有效提高玉米醇溶蛋白的纤维化程度。通过单因素和响应面优化试验获得了制备纤维化玉米醇溶蛋白的优化工艺为等离子体处理功率64 W,处理时间61 s,加热时间为10 h,加热温度70 ℃,蛋白质量浓度30 mg/mL。在此条件下纤维化玉米醇溶蛋白ThT荧光强度可达2 272±23,显著高于未经等离子体处理的纤维化玉米醇溶蛋白（1 239±19）（P＜0.05）。对傅里叶变换红外光谱中酰胺I 区结果分析表明,等离子体处理使玉米醇溶白中β-折叠结构增加,α-螺旋结构减少。透射电子显微镜观察到玉米醇溶蛋白经过纤维化后颗粒粒径明显下降,其纤维结构是由球状蛋白颗粒沿水平方向线性聚集而成,采用等离子体辅助可诱导形成更多的玉米醇溶蛋白纤维体结构。研究结果为疏水性植物蛋白实现高效自组装纤维化提供参考。     

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.     

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,     

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.     

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.