污泥过热蒸汽薄层干燥特性及干燥模型构建

为了解污泥常压过热蒸汽薄层干燥特性,搭建了常压过热蒸汽干燥试验台,进行了2、4、6和10 mm厚度污泥在不同过热蒸汽温度160~280℃下薄层干燥试验,并分段对试验数据进行拟合分析,得到了模型参数与过热蒸汽温度、污泥厚度之间的关系。结果表明:污泥在较高温度过热蒸汽干燥后没有氧化燃烧,且裂纹密集,表面粗糙,利于干燥的进行。污泥薄层在干燥初始阶段存在凝结过程,过热蒸汽凝结在物料表面使其质量不降反而增加,导致干燥时间延长,凝结水质量和干燥时间的增幅受过热蒸汽温度的影响较大,过热蒸汽温度越高,增幅越小,而污泥的厚度对污泥质量和干燥时间的增幅影响较小。根据斐克第二定律,得到2、4、6和10 mm厚度污泥在160~280℃过热蒸汽干燥水分有效扩散系数分别为2.0641×10-9~8.8527×10-9、4.3738×10-9~1.6626×10-8、6.6082×10-9~2.46×10-8和1.1916×10-8~4.0806×10-8 m2/s,由Arrhenius方程建立有效扩散系数的对数与温度倒数的线性关系,得到水分的活化能分别为26.250、22.032、21.894和20.961 kJ/mol。试验结果可为污泥过热蒸汽干燥工艺参数优化及干燥设备研制提供参考。     

污泥低温干燥动力学特性及干燥参数优化

为了研究污泥的低温干燥动力学特性,以薄层污泥为研究对象进行了低温干燥试验,探讨了温度、薄层厚度以及风速对污泥水分比和干燥速率的影响,并对低温干燥参数进行了优化.结果表明:污泥低温干燥过程主要由升速和降速段组成,其中降速阶段存在第一、第二降速阶段;不同低温干燥条件下的第二临界含水率变化不大,大致在0.5g/g(干基)附近.使用决定系数R2、卡方χ2及均方根误差RMSE对6种常用干燥模型进行评价,结果表明Midilli模型的平均R2最大、平均χ2及RMSE最小,分别为0.9998、2.46×10-5、0.0042,是描述污泥低温热风干燥的最优模型.根据Fick第二定律和Arrhenius方程,得到5、10和15mm厚度污泥在50~90℃热风干燥的水分有效扩散系数和活化能.正交试验得到相对单位能耗最优干燥工艺为:温度90℃、风速0.8m/s、厚度10mm,平均干燥强度最优工艺为干燥温度90℃、风速0.8m/s、厚度5mm.试验结果可为后续研究污泥热泵干燥及太阳能-热泵联合干燥提供参考.     

基于图像处理的过热蒸汽与热风干燥污泥收缩特性分析

为了解污泥过热蒸汽与热风干燥过程收缩特性,搭建了常压过热蒸汽和热风干燥试验台,选用直径为50 mm厚度为10 mm的污泥样品在160和200℃下进行试验。利用图像处理技术分析干燥过程污泥收缩现象及特性,采用叠加技术,建立了基于无限大平板和无限长圆柱体叠加而成的有限圆平板在考虑收缩情况下的Fick第二定律湿分扩散模型,并结合经验模型推导出计算有效扩散系数的表达式。结果表明：污泥在干燥过程中存在明显的收缩现象,前段干燥收缩幅度大,后段干燥收缩幅度小,收缩变化规律与水分变化规律一致。160、200℃污泥过热蒸汽与热风干燥终了时刻体积比约为0.3,体积收缩系数为0.7。过热蒸汽干燥和热风干燥对污泥的收缩影响一致。160、200℃污泥过热蒸汽与热风干燥有效扩散系数的变化与水分比的变化相对应。在考虑污泥收缩的条件下,160、200℃污泥过热蒸汽干燥平均有效扩散系数分别为1.92×10-8和3.75×10-8 m2/s,热风干燥平均有效扩散系数分别为0.94×10-8和1.31×10-8 m2/s,约为不考虑收缩条件下平均有效扩散系数值的1/2。试验结果为污泥干燥过程机理分析、工艺参数优化和干燥设备开发提供参考。     

污泥过热蒸汽与热风薄层干燥的湿分扩散系数和活化能分析

为研究污泥薄层在过热蒸汽干燥和热风干燥过程中有效扩散系数及活化能,搭建了常压内循环式干燥试验装置。在160~280℃温度下,分别对4、10 mm污泥薄层进行过热蒸汽干燥和热风干燥。利用Fick扩散模型,建立有效扩散系数和干燥时间的关系,试验得到4 mm污泥薄层过热蒸汽干燥与热风干燥的有效扩散系数范围分别为7.1515×10-9～2.4852×10-8m2/s和1.2414×10-8～2.2769×10-8 m2/s;10 mm污泥薄层过热蒸汽干燥与热风干燥的有效扩散系数范围分别为1.9659×10-8～5.8811×10-8 m2/s和2.8042×10-8～5.6095×10-8 m2/s。根据Arrhenius经验公式建立有效扩散系数与温度的关系,得到4、10 mm污泥薄层过热蒸汽干燥和热风干燥的平均活化能分别为21.173、18.085和9.485、11.191 kJ/mol。用Midilli薄层干燥模型模拟得出的过热蒸汽干燥与热风干燥有效扩散系数和活化能与试验值基本吻合。研究结果表明：当温度超过260℃时,过热蒸汽干燥的有效扩散系数比热风干燥有效扩散系数大。过热蒸汽干燥有效扩散系数随温度增加的趋势近乎成一条斜直线,而热风干燥的有效扩散系数增加趋势则是曲线性,说明热风干燥过程中存在氧化、燃烧的可能。文章确定了污泥薄层干燥有效扩散系数值及过热蒸汽干燥逆转点温度,为污泥过热蒸汽干燥参数优化与干燥设备设计提供参考。     

山核桃坚果分段变功率微波干燥工艺参数优化

为了提高山核桃干果品质、缩短干燥时间和降低干燥能耗,以前期微波功率密度、转换点含水率和后期微波功率密度为试验因素,对山核桃坚果分段变功率微波干燥工艺进行了试验研究。通过单因素试验,研究了山核桃坚果微波干燥特性,确定了山核桃坚果微波干燥各因素合适范围。通过三因素五水平的二次回归正交试验,建立了三因素与失水速率、单位质量干燥能耗以及干燥后物料蛋白质保存率、不饱和脂肪酸保存率、感官品质指标综合分值的二次回归数学模型,分析了三因素对各指标影响的显著性。利用多目标非线性优化方法,确定了山核桃坚果分段变功率微波干燥的最佳工艺参数组合,即前期干燥微波功率密度为6.5 k W/kg,转换点含水率为23.4%(干基),后期干燥微波功率密度为3.3 k W/kg。在此条件下,山核桃坚果失水速率为4.072%/min、单位质量干燥能耗为3.467 k W·h/kg、蛋白质保存率为92.15%、不饱和脂肪酸保存率为91.63%、感官品质指标综合分值为35.28分。研究结果为山核桃坚果干燥加工生产提供一定的理论依据。     

基于品质和能耗的杏鲍菇微波真空干燥工艺参数优化

为了提高杏鲍菇干制产品品质,降低干燥能耗,该文应用微波真空技术干燥杏鲍菇。采用三元二次回归旋转组合设计方法进行工艺参数优化试验,考察分析微波强度(X1)、物料厚度(X2)、腔体绝对压力(X3)因素对品质指标色差(Y1)、复水比(Y2)、氨基酸含量(Y3)和单位能耗(Y4)的影响及因子间交互作用对指标的影响;采用线性加权法,将多目标综合优化,确定干燥工艺的最优参数组合。结果表明:微波强度、物料厚度、腔体绝对压力对试验指标色差、复水比、氨基酸含量、单位能耗影响显著,物料厚度是影响色差的主要因素,物料厚度小于2 cm时,产品色泽较差;腔体绝对压力是影响复水比和氨基酸含量的主要因素,较小的腔体绝对压力有利于产品复水和减少氨基酸损失;微波强度是影响单位能耗的主要因素,高的微波强度,能耗较高,高的微波强度与较小的腔体绝对压力组合时,干燥能耗更高;杏鲍菇微波真空干燥高品质低能耗的最优工艺参数组合为微波强度12.5 kW/kg、物料厚度2.4 cm、腔体绝对压力18 kPa,此条件下干燥的产品品质优良,色泽洁白,色差L为78,复水性好,复水比为1.58,氨基酸破坏少,其值为473.1 mg/100 g,单位能耗较低,为9.3 kJ/kg。     

热泵干燥槟榔中试工艺参数优化

为了探索新型节能、低碳排放的槟榔干燥技术,应用热泵干燥设备对槟榔进行干燥研究,获得槟榔热泵干燥中试工艺参数。单因素试验分析了煮沸时间对槟榔硬度的影响,干燥温度和装载量对槟榔水分的影响;采用正交试验,通过加权评分值计算方法评价干果品质,优化热泵干燥工艺参数;测定储藏30 d后的干果进行理化和微生物指标;比较热泵干燥、蒸汽干燥和传统干燥槟榔的成本及品质。结果表明,新鲜槟榔经过沸水煮沸15 min,前12 h内干燥温度为50℃、12 h后干燥温度为65℃、装料量为3.5 t、烘房空气相对湿度为25%时,槟榔含水率为16.8%,好果率为96.0%,均匀度为91%,单位质量干果耗电量为0.92(k W·h)/kg,所干燥的槟榔干果综合评分为90.1分,呈橄榄黄或褐色。25℃储藏30 d无霉腐现象,检测结果显示含水率为17.8%,未检测出汞和苯并芘,铅和砷质量分数分别为0.02和0.1 mg/kg,致病菌未检出,大肠菌群数30 cfu/g,霉菌计数为30 cfu/g。经比较,热泵干燥槟榔比蒸汽干燥成本低11%,比传统土炉干燥成本低50%,零排放、无污染、操作智能化。研究结果为槟榔热泵干燥的标准化生产提供技术参考。     

用傅里叶数与优化法分析污泥过热蒸汽干燥有效扩散系数

为进一步研究污泥薄层在过热蒸汽干燥中湿分扩散机理与有效扩散系数,根据干燥法测定有效扩散系数计算时往往忽略物料湿含量变化对有效扩散系影响,该文采用傅里叶数法和优化法分别计算2、4、6和10 mm厚度污泥薄层,在120~280℃过热蒸汽温度下的有效扩散系数,分析有效扩散系数与过热蒸汽温度、薄层厚度之间的关系。计算分析结果表明:采用傅里叶数法和优化法得出的有效扩散系数数值基本一致,能更为精确反应污泥薄层过热蒸汽干燥有效扩散系数值及变化特性;傅里叶数法和优化法算得4 mm厚度污泥在120~280℃过热蒸汽干燥有效扩散系数分别为2.52×10-10~2.93×10-9 m2/s与2.75×10-10~3.32×10-9 m2/s;2、4、6和10 mm厚度污泥在160℃过热蒸汽干燥时2种方法计算的有效扩散系数分别为3.84×10-10~2.28×10-9 m2/s与4.40×10-10~2.72×10-9 m2/s;有效扩散系数随着过热蒸汽温度、薄层厚度增大而逐渐增大,并成线性关系。通过多元线性回归得到2种方法计算的有效扩散系数与干燥温度、薄层厚度简化的表达式,决定系数分别为0.9982、0.9956。计算结果可为污泥薄层过热蒸汽干燥湿分扩散过程与有效扩散系数的变化分析提供参考。     

山核桃坚果热风干燥特性及其工艺参数优化

针对山核桃坚果热风干燥质量难以控制、干后品质差等问题,采用单因素试验方法,研究了热风温度、装载量及风速对山核桃坚果干燥特性的影响。通过3因素5水平的二次回归正交试验,分析了热风温度、装载量及风速与干燥过程单位时间干燥速率、单位质量干燥能耗以及干后物料蛋白质保存率、不饱和脂肪酸保存率、感官品质指标综合分值的关系,建立了二次回归数学模型,分析了3因素对各指标影响的显著性;利用多目标非线性优化方法,确定了山核桃坚果热风干燥的最佳工艺参数组合,即热风温度为72℃,装载量为0.08 kg,风速为65 m/min。在此条件下,单位时间干燥速率为0.458%/min、单位质量干燥能耗为5.986 kWh/kg、蛋白质保存率为92.12%、不饱和脂肪酸保存率为90.65%、感官品质指标综合分值为32.89分,综合评分为0.802。研究结果为山核桃坚果的干燥和工业化生产提供一定的理论依据。     

筒状固定床花生通风干燥性能指标模拟与分析

为了解筒状固定床花生干燥机理、作业性能,确定合理的结构和通风参数,根据干燥过程花生荚果和介质空气间的热质传递关系,以PDE模型为理论基础,建立了适用于筒状固定床花生通风干燥计算机模拟的离散模型,该模型可计算花生干燥实时状态及批次干燥耗时、不均匀度、生产率、单位质量能耗等干燥指标。经试验验证,模型模拟结果与试验结果基本相符,料层花生平均含水率和温度模拟值和试验值的相关系数r>0.975,模型模拟可用于筒状床花生干燥过程分析。在此基础上,分析了单位面积通风量、筒状固定床外径、内径变化对上述指标的影响。结果表明:受介质空气温度降低和相对湿度增加影响,内层物料干燥起始时间和干燥速率存在一定的滞后性,但单位面积通风量沿通风方向逐渐增大的特性对内层物料的干燥滞后有较好改善;随着单位面积通风量增加,干燥不均匀度明显降低,生产率亦有显著提高,但单位质量能耗增幅较大;筒状床外径增加或内径减小都可增加生产率,降低单位质量干燥能耗,但干燥不均匀问题很难解决。为进一步确定最优的结构和通风参数,采用均匀设计模拟试验和综合加权评分法,得出筒状固定床外径2.75 m,内径0.935 m,外进风面单位面积通风量0.36 m^3/(m^2·s)时干燥效果最优,此时干燥时耗39.2 h、生产率86.55 kg/h、单位质量能耗5.87×10~6 J/kg、干燥不均匀度1.54%。该研究可为筒状固定床干燥设备设计优化提供技术支撑。     

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.