外源硒对镉胁迫下绿豆幼苗生理特性的影响

采用水培试验方法研究不同浓度Se4+(0.8,1.6,2.4,3.2,4.0mg/L)对Cd2+(10,20mg/L)胁迫下绿豆幼苗超微弱发光及幼苗叶片中叶绿素、可溶性蛋白质和脯氨酸的影响。结果表明,随着胁迫时间延长,不同浓度Se4+对2种浓度Cd2+胁迫下绿豆幼苗的超微弱发光强度均呈现先升高后降低再升高的趋势,0.8,1.6mg/L的Se4+对2种浓度Cd2+胁迫下绿豆幼苗的超微弱发光强度均有促进作用,但是1.6mg/L浓度的Se4+对2种浓度Cd2+的缓解作用最佳。随着Se4+浓度的增加,2种浓度Cd2+胁迫下,绿豆幼苗叶片中叶绿素含量和可溶性蛋白质含量均呈现出先增加又减小的趋势,当Se4+浓度低于4.0mg/L时,叶绿素含量和可溶性蛋白质含量均高于单一Cd2+胁迫下叶绿素含量和可溶性蛋白质含量,且在Se4+浓度为1.6mg/L时达到最大。在10mg/L Cd2+胁迫下,随着Se4+浓度的增加,绿豆幼苗叶片中的脯氨酸含量先增加后减小,当Se4+浓度低于4.0mg/L时,脯氨酸含量高于单一Cd2+胁迫下脯氨酸含量,且Se4+浓度为1.6mg/L时脯氨酸含量达到最大;在20mg/L Cd2+胁迫下,随着Se4+浓度的增加,绿豆幼苗叶片中的脯氨酸含量逐渐降低,当Se4+浓度低于2.4mg/L时,脯氨酸含量高于单一Cd2+胁迫下脯氨酸含量,且Se4+的浓度为0.8mg/L时脯氨酸含量最大。研究表明在试验浓度范围内,Se4+浓度低于2.4mg/L时,对10,20mg/L Cd2+胁迫下的绿豆幼苗的毒害均有缓解作用,且浓度为1.6mg/L时缓解作用最佳。     

Cd~(2+)胁迫对西瓜幼苗光合生理及活性氧代谢的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了土壤中Cd2+对西瓜(Citrullus vulgaris)幼苗光合特性及活性氧代谢的影响。结果表明:Cd2+降低了小型西瓜叶绿素总含量,改变了叶绿素a/b的值,其叶绿素总含量与土壤中Cd2+浓度极显著(P0.01)负相关;减弱了西瓜幼苗的净光合速率(Pn),降低了胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)。西瓜叶片中超氧阴离子自由基(·O2-)产生速率、过氧化氢(H2O2)和丙二醛(MDA)含量随着土壤中Cd2+浓度的升高而增加,且H2O2和MDA含量与Cd2+浓度极显著(P0.01)正相关。在Cd2+胁迫下,过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性变化显著,其活性与H2O2含量、MDA含量极显著(P0.01)负相关。Cd2+胁迫引起叶绿素等光合相关生理因子降低,是导致西瓜幼苗净光合速率降低的直接原因;活性氧代谢失调,脂膜过氧化加重是导致其净光合速率降低的另一重要原因。     

锰对板栗实生苗生长及生理效应的影响

采用短期培养模拟研究法,在5个Mn2+浓度（0、 0.905、 1.810、 2.715、 3.620 mg/L）处理下,通过测定板栗实生苗木的光合特性、 叶绿素含量、 苗高、 根颚直径、 根系、 生物量与叶片矿质元素等指标,研究了Mn 2+对其生长及生理效应的影响。结果表明, 1）在Mn 2+浓度为0~3.620 mg/L范围内,随Mn2+浓度增大,板栗实生苗净光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率、 叶绿素含量、 苗高、 根颚直径、 根重和生物量呈先增加后降低的趋势,其中以Mn 2+浓度1.810和2.715 mg/L处理的效果最好,且两处理间差异不显著（P0.05）; 2）与CK相比,Mn2+增加了苗木对锰的吸收,但抑制了对钙、 铁、 铜的吸收,随Mn2+浓度增大,叶片磷、 硼含量呈先升高后降低趋势,钾含量变化趋势相反; 3）相关分析显示,叶片锰含量与钙、 铁、 铜含量呈显著性负相关（P0.05）,与磷、 钾、 硼含量的相关性均不显著（P0.05）。综上,当Mn2+浓度为1.810和2.715 mg/L时均能显著促进板栗苗木的光合及生长; 但Mn2+浓度不宜过高,大于2.715 mg/L则抑制其生长,不利于矿质元素的均衡吸收。     

施磷对吊兰修复镉污染土壤及土壤酶活性的影响

选用吊兰进行室内盆栽,研究在Cd污染土壤中,施用不同剂量磷肥对吊兰生理指标、土壤酶活性等的影响,为合理施用磷肥,提高Cd污染土壤的植物修复效果提供参考依据。结果表明:吊兰在100mg/kg的Cd污染土壤中能正常生长,施P对吊兰的叶绿素、细胞膜透性、抗氧化酶活性影响显著(p0.01),表现为低浓度促进,高浓度抑制作用。当施磷量为200mg/kg时,叶绿素含量、CAT酶活性最大,外渗电导率和MDA含量最低,POD酶活性开始上升,说明施磷能使吊兰的细胞膜受害程度最低,抗氧化作用增强。同时,施P有利于改善Cd污染土壤的酶系统,对过氧化氢酶、脲酶的活性表现为低浓度促进、高浓度抑制,对蔗糖酶的活性表现相反,对磷酸酶的活性表现抑制作用;且200mg/kg的磷处理时,过氧化氢酶、脲酶的活性最高,蔗糖酶的活性最低。4种土壤酶活性均与P浓度呈高度相关性(p0.05),相关性为脲酶过氧化氢酶蔗糖酶磷酸酶。     

不同施肥处理对土壤养分含量及土壤酶活性的影响

在田间试验条件下,通过对花生各生育期土壤养分含量与酶活性的研究,探讨了不同施肥处理对土壤养分含量及土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明:各生育期不同施肥处理土壤养分含量以控释掺混肥处理最高,在整个生育期内都能满足花生对养分的需求,普通复合肥在土壤中养分释放迅速,后期出现脱肥现象;土壤脲酶活性、酸性磷酸酶活性以控释掺混肥处理最高,纯控释肥处理其次,均明显高于普通复肥和对照处理,过氧化氢酶活性受肥料类型的影响较小,变化范围在2.68～6.26ml/g之间;3种土壤酶活性与速效P含量的相关性最好,其中脲酶活性与土壤速效P含量相关性达到极显著正相关,过氧化氢酶活性与速效P含量为极显著负相关,脲酶活性与碱解N含量存在显著正相关,磷酸酶活性与碱解N同样存在显著正相关,过氧化氢酶活性与速效K含量存在极显著负相关。这说明土壤酶活性与土壤养分含量呈密切的相关性,可将其作为评价土壤肥力的指标。     

镉、锌、铅单元素及其复合污染 与土壤过氧化氢酶活性关系的研究

试验研究潮褐土中Cd、Zn、Pb单元素及其复合污染与土壤过氧化氢酶活性的关系结果表明,单因素处理Zn主要表现为抑制作用,并与土壤过氧化氢酶活性间存在显著线性负相关;Cd<10mg/kg时表现为激活作用,达50mg/kg时表现为抑制作用,并与土壤过氧化氢酶活性间存在显著指数负相关;而Pb主要表现为激活作用,与土壤过氧化氢酶活性间存在显著线性正相关,且单因素Cd、Zn、Pb对土壤过氧化氢酶活性抑制顺序为Zn>Cd>Pb。复合污染条件下重金属Cd、Zn、Pb交互作用较复杂,Cd、Zn对土壤过氧化氢酶活性交互作用表现出协同抑制负效应特征;而Pb表现出明显的拮抗作用或屏蔽效应,尤其Pb浓度高时其屏蔽作用明显。同浓度Cd、Zn其复合因素处理土壤过氧化氢酶活性高于单因素处理,而Pb复合因素处理土壤过氧化氢酶活性明显低于单因素处理。     

镉对不同基因型小白菜根系生长特性的影响

采用水培试验,研究了镉（Cd）不同处理浓度对两种基因型小白菜（金夏王青梗菜和上海矮抗青）的生长及根系形态的影响。结果表明, 随着Cd 处理浓度的增加,两种基因型小白菜根系除直径无显著差异外,根系鲜重、长度、体积、表面积、根系活力均持续下降,且青梗菜的下降幅度显著高于矮抗青。随着镉处理浓度的增加,两种小白菜体内镉含量明显增加,与处理浓度呈显著正相关。当处理浓度大于Cd2+ 0.25 mg/L,矮抗青地上部与根系镉含量超过青梗菜。两种小白菜地上部分鲜重和光合速率均呈先升后降的趋势,其中青梗菜的临界值为Cd 2+ 0.1 mg/L时,而矮抗青的临界值为Cd2+ 0.25 mg/L时。镉浓度为Cd 2+ 1.0 mg/L时,二品种气孔导度均有显著下降,而蒸腾速率变化相对较小。根系较地上部分对镉更为敏感。两种小白菜对镉浓度的反应虽然总体趋势一致,但青梗菜根系的生物量、形态参数、活力及光合参数的下降幅度显著高于矮抗青,表明矮抗青比青梗菜具有较强的耐镉特性,与种子萌发时的敏感性一致。     

甲基叔丁基醚和Cd复合作用对小麦幼苗生理指标的影响

以小麦为试验对象,通过水培试验研究不同浓度的MTBE(0,5,10,50,100,200,300,400,500mg/L)和Cd(5mg/L)复合作用对小麦幼苗叶绿素含量、可溶性蛋白、抗氧化酶系统活性、MDA和游离脯氨酸含量的影响。结果表明:叶绿素含量和可溶性蛋白的含量随着MTBE浓度升高出现先增高后降低的趋势;抗氧化酶系统(SOD、POD)和游离脯氨酸的趋势是一致的,在MTBE浓度为400,500mg/L时,SOD酶活性与对照相比降低了17%,18%,POD酶活性降低了26.8%,27.8%;在MTBE浓度为200,300,400,500mg/L时,MDA含量与对照相比有显著差异(P<0.05),分别降低了27.5%,30.6%,34.9%,36.7%;游离脯氨酸的含量在MTBE浓度为200mg/L时高于对照62.3%。     

土壤镉污染条件下叶面硒肥对生菜镉积累的影响

为探讨叶面硒肥对生菜(Lactuca sativa L.)镉胁迫的改善作用,通过盆栽试验,设置2个镉污染浓度(1 mg/kg,Cd1;3 mg/kg,Cd3)和3个叶面硒肥浓度(0 mg/L,Se0;1 mg/L,Se1;3 mg/L,Se3),研究了不同浓度叶面硒肥对生菜镉积累的影响。结果表明:①叶面硒肥的喷施可不同程度降低生菜对镉的吸收积累,较之Cd1+Se0处理,Cd1+Se1处理可显著降低生菜叶镉含量,降幅为26.29%;较之Cd3+Se0处理,Cd3+Se3处理下生菜叶镉含量显著降低49.05%。②喷施适宜浓度的叶面硒肥可不同程度提升生菜过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,降低丙二醛(MDA)含量,Cd1+Se1处理下,生菜的CAT、SOD活性分别显著高于Cd1+Se0处理40.38%、68.71%,而MDA含量则显著降低44.48%;Cd3+Se3处理下,生菜的CAT、SOD活性较Cd3+Se0处理分别显著提升77.48%、51.70%,而MDA含量则显著降低48.90%。因此,喷施适量的叶面硒肥可明显提升生菜抗逆特性,进而有效阻控生菜对镉的吸收,其中土壤镉含量为1 mg/kg(Cd1)时,叶面硒肥喷施浓度以 1 mg/L效果最佳,土壤镉含量为3 mg/kg(Cd3)时,叶面硒肥喷施浓度以 3 mg/L效果为最优。     

重金属胁迫对小麦光合产物输配影响的示踪动力学研究

应用示踪动力学方法研究了不同浓度的 3种重金属离子 (Cu2 +、Cd2 +和Hg2 +)胁迫对小麦幼苗叶片光合产物输配影响。结果表明 ( 1 )Cu2 +、Cd2 +和Hg2 +能明显使小麦倒一叶光合产物输出速率常数k10 随其胁迫浓度的增大逐步减小 ;随Cu2 +、Cd2 +和Hg2 +胁迫浓度的升高 ,小麦倒二叶光合产物的输出速率常数k10 均表现为先上升后下降的趋势 ,表明重金属胁迫能影响小麦叶片光合产物从叶内的输出。 ( 2 )较低浓度 ( 50mg L)的Cu2 +、Cd2 +就使小麦倒一叶和倒二叶k2 1和k12 大幅度降低 ,尤其当Cu2 +浓度达 1 50mg L时 ,k2 1和k12 均等于零 ;1 0 0mg L的Hg2 +胁迫使倒一叶k2 1和k12 大幅度降低 ,50mg L的Hg2 +胁迫也使倒二叶k2 1大幅度降低 ,表明重金属胁迫能影响小麦叶片光合产物在叶内的分配代谢。 ( 3 )Cu2 +、Hg2 +和Cd2 +能明显抑制光合产物向根系的积累     

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.