四足机器人腿部并联机构末端位置误差分析与验证

为合理确定应用于四足机器人腿部机构的2自由度平面并联机构零件制造公差范围,该文进行了并联机构末端位置误差灵敏度分析与工作空间内的位置精度预估,建立2自由度平面并联机构位置方程;采用全微分理论建立2自由度平面并联机构的误差模型,得到各误差源相对于末端位置误差的映射关系;建立机构位置误差灵敏度模型与评价指标,借助灵敏度评价指标揭示出统计意义下各几何误差源对末端位置精度的影响程度;依据3?原则与灵敏度评价指标,确定了各误差源的零件制造公差;采用三坐标测量仪对试验样机制造误差值进行测量,依据误差模型对末端位置精度在工作空间内的分布进行预估及实例验证。结果表明:实际位置精度值与理论位置精度预估值最大误差绝对值为0.0038 mm,最小误差绝对值为0.001 5 mm,各误差值均较小,验证了误差传递模型、位置精度预估的正确性及该方法确定构件制造公差的有效性。研究结果可为四足机器人腿部机构的运动学标定、误差补偿及执行精确任务时的轨迹规划提供理论依据。     

空间4-SPS/CU并联机构的受力分析

运用螺旋理论分析了一种具有三维转动和一维移动(沿Z轴)的四自由度(4-SPS/CU)并联机构的自由度,得出该机构为无过约束机构。采用传统的拆杆法对该机构的每个活动构件进行了静力学分析,得出了该机构的静力学平衡方程组,判定该机构的静力学平衡方程组中方程个数大于未知量个数(属超定方程组)。多余的方程个数就是该机构的局部自由度,并采取去掉局部自由度对应的静力学平衡方程来求解该超定方程组。通过求解该方程组,得出了该机构每个构件上的全部约束力/力矩,并分别得出了驱动力与主运动副以及恰约束从动支链的约束反力随该机构位姿变化的仿真曲线。证实了该机构比无恰约束从动支链的四自由度并联机构拥有更好的承载能力。研究结果可为该机构在工程中的应用与结构设计提供静力学理论分析的参考。     

三自由度并联机械腿静力学分析与优化

为了对六足机器人的并联机械腿进行静力学优化设计,提出了一种同时考虑约束力映射关系和驱动力映射关系的腿部机构静力学优化设计方法,进而对结构参数进行了优化。在对腿部机构进行了驱动、约束映射分析的基础上,分别建立了腿部机构的驱动雅可比矩阵和约束雅可比矩阵;基于驱动雅可比矩阵建立了腿部机构的驱动静力传递平衡方程,定义了驱动静力学性能评价指标并绘制了评价指标分布图,分析了结构参数与驱动静力评价指标之间的关系;基于约束雅可比矩阵建立了腿部机构的约束静力传递平衡方程,定义了约束静力学性能评价指标,分析了结构参数与约束静力评价指标之间的关系;基于驱动、约束静力学性能评价指标,采用蒙特卡罗法对结构参数进行了优化设计,计算结果表明,固定平台结构参数为200mm、中间连接杆结构参数为70mm、运动平台结构参数为50mm、支链1和3的最小杆长为530mm、支链2的最小杆长为330mm、支链1和3的最大杆长为900mm、支链2的最大杆长为600mm时腿部机构的静力学综合性能最好。本文分析结果为六足步行机器人的进一步分析研究奠定了基础。     

五自由度混联机器人优化设计与运动学分析

为提高农业自动化程度,拓宽并联机构在农业工程领域的应用,提出一种存在连续转轴、关节数目少、易于控制的两移一转运动冗余平面并联机构,该并联机构任意位置的转轴均为相互平行的连续转轴,使其具备良好的灵活性。基于此平面并联机构,构造出了多种五自由度混联机器人,首先建立了五自由度混联机器人的运动学模型,并对其进行了奇异分析,给出了减少机构奇异位型的条件;然后基于灵活性指标,对并联机构进行了尺寸优化,绘制了用于选取结构尺寸的性能图谱,且借助有限元软件对基于优化所得结构尺寸绘制的具有运动冗余特性的平面机构进行了结构拓扑优化,,完成了整体结构优化前后的静力学分析与对比,结果显示优化前后整体变形仅增大0.51%,优化前后机构优化部分的质量减少33.02%,满足机构变形要求。该混联机器人具有结构简单、运动学模型简单、结构刚度高和模块化程度高的特点,且其结构的变胞性有助于实现机构运动和驱动冗余模式的切换,增强了机器人的可研究性。该文可为混联机器人运动学分析及优化设计提供参考。     

六足步行机器人腿部机构运动学分析

为了提高农业自动化程度,拓宽农业机器人的应用范围,提高农业机器人对工作环境的适应性及工作的灵活性,该文介绍了一种六足步行机器人三自由度腿部机构。该机构由并联驱动机构和行走机构组成,既具有并联机构的特点,又具有很好的防护性。该文建立了驱动机构动平台线速度与角速度之间的关系矩阵和该腿部机构全雅可比矩阵,绘制了全雅可比矩阵条件数分布图,建立了并联驱动机构和腿部行走机构显式3×3×3形式Hessian矩阵。在满足步矩为300 mm、越障高度为200 mm的条件下,利用组合多项式的方法,对该腿部足端进行轨迹规划,并求出了足端轨迹函数。将该轨迹函数作为足端输入,分别绘制了机构驱动关节在摆动相的角速度、角加速度理论曲线和虚拟样机仿真曲线。分析曲线中的数据可得角速度、角加速度的理论与仿真结果相近度均可达到10-3 mm,从而验证了理论分析的正确性。该研究为六足机器人的开发和控制提供了参考。     

基于双6-UPU并联机构的步行机器人步行越障步态仿真与试验

为拓展六足机器人的应用,提高六足机器人对工作环境的适应性及工作的灵活性,该文提出了一种基于并联腿的六足步行机器人结构。该步行机器人由2个6-UPU并联机构腿和6个足构成,每个足上各安装1个辅助腿,共有18个自由度,辅助腿可根据环境改变步行机器人身体的高度,增强了克服障碍物与环境的适应能力。首先,对该机构进行运动学分析,通过腿部6-UPU并联机构的运动学逆解求解,得到机器人运动过程中并联腿各分支的状态;其次,通过对人体行走规律的研究,根据运动学逆解的结果,设计了步行机器人的2种步态,分别为跨步行走步态和越障步态;之后,根据样机材质,在ADMAS环境下对六足机器人的模型组件增加质量,进行2种步态的行走仿真,跨步行走步态一个步态周期耗时23.734 2 s,步行机器人机体前进400 mm,平均行走速度为1 011.2 mm/min,而越障步态一个步态周期耗时18 s,步行机器人机体前进100 mm,平均行走速度为333.3 mm/min;最后,选用两片STM32芯片为核心处理器进行控制系统设计,两片STM32芯片分别进行数据采集与PID运算,二者间采用串口通信实现数据传输,跨步行走步态一个步态周期耗时24.85 s,步行机器人机体前进385 mm,平均行走速度为929.6 mm/min,而越障步态一个步态周期耗时20.8 s,步行机器人机体前进90 mm,平均行走速度为259.6 mm/min。试验表明：跨步行走步态下,完成一个步态周期内的耗时与平均行走速度的偏差分别为5%、8%,而在越障步态下,完成一个步态周期内的耗时与平均行走速度的偏差分别为13%、22%,绘制了2个平行腿移动平台中心点的规划轨迹和试验轨迹,试验轨迹在步行阶段,试验结果滞后于2种步态的模拟结果。其偏差可归结为试验样机中各电动缸自身特性、装配精度、部件的质量差异等因素的影响,但样机能够按照设定的步态完整设定的行走任务,从而验证了仿真分析的正确性。该研究为进一步研究六足并联腿步行机器人实现未知倾斜面或环境中的稳定行走提供了初步的实践依据。     

基于双6-UPU并联机构的步行机器人步行越障步态仿真与试验（英文）

为拓展六足机器人的应用,提高六足机器人对工作环境的适应性及工作的灵活性,该文提出了一种基于并联腿的六足步行机器人结构。该步行机器人由2个6-UPU并联机构腿和6个足构成,每个足上各安装1个辅助腿,共有18个自由度,辅助腿可根据环境改变步行机器人身体的高度,增强了克服障碍物与环境的适应能力。首先,对该机构进行运动学分析,通过腿部6-UPU并联机构的运动学逆解求解,得到机器人运动过程中并联腿各分支的状态;其次,通过对人体行走规律的研究,根据运动学逆解的结果,设计了步行机器人的2种步态,分别为跨步行走步态和越障步态;之后,根据样机材质,在ADMAS环境下对六足机器人的模型组件增加质量,进行2种步态的行走仿真,跨步行走步态一个步态周期耗时23.734 2 s,步行机器人机体前进400 mm,平均行走速度为1 011.2 mm/min,而越障步态一个步态周期耗时18 s,步行机器人机体前进100 mm,平均行走速度为333.3 mm/min;最后,选用两片STM32芯片为核心处理器进行控制系统设计,两片STM32芯片分别进行数据采集与PID运算,二者间采用串口通信实现数据传输,跨步行走步态一个步态周期耗时24.85 s,步行机器人机体前进385 mm,平均行走速度为929.6 mm/min,而越障步态一个步态周期耗时20.8 s,步行机器人机体前进90 mm,平均行走速度为259.6 mm/min。试验表明:跨步行走步态下,完成一个步态周期内的耗时与平均行走速度的偏差分别为5%、8%,而在越障步态下,完成一个步态周期内的耗时与平均行走速度的偏差分别为13%、22%,绘制了2个平行腿移动平台中心点的规划轨迹和试验轨迹,试验轨迹在步行阶段,试验结果滞后于2种步态的模拟结果。其偏差可归结为试验样机中各电动缸自身特性、装配精度、部件的质量差异等因素的影响,但样机能够按照设定的步态完整设定的行走任务,从而验证了仿真分析的正确性。该研究为进一步研究六足并联腿步行机器人实现未知倾斜面或环境中的稳定行走提供了初步的实践依据。     

六自由度串并联机械手的构型设计与运动学分析

根据串、并联机器人机构综合理论,以二移动一转动串联机构和三转动自由度并联机构为主体,设计了1种能够实现空间平移、回转、升降、仰俯、横摇和偏转动作的六自由度串并联机构。通过对该机构进行分析研究,建立其运动学位姿方程,重点探讨了并联微调机构的运动学模型,建立了其位置逆解与速度映射解析方程,运用MATLAB软件对该机构进行了运动学仿真分析;同时提供了该串并联机构应用于隧道管片拼装机械手的具体实例。该机构具有工作空间大、转动灵活、稳定平衡、精度高及承载能力强的特点,可推广应用于农业种植采摘、林木伐运等机器人结构上。     

轮腿混合四足机器人六自由度并联机械腿设计

为了设计一种可以同时实现迈步行走、有动力轮式机动、无动力轮旱冰式滑行3种运动方式的轮腿混合农业四足机器人,提出了一种基于3-UPS机构的六自由度并联机械腿,选取结构参数并给出设计方案。首先,通过矢量回路法推导出机构的位置反解方程,并建立机构的速度映射模型;采用搜索法对机构的工作空间进行分析,并绘制出工作空间三维分布图,揭示出机构结构参数和工作空间之间的关系;基于速度映射模型绘制出雅可比矩阵条件数在工作空间内的三维分布图。接着,定义了一组运动灵活性评价指标,对机械腿的机构进行运动灵活性分析,并绘制出结构参数与运动灵活性评价指标关系曲线,揭示出结构参数对机构运动灵活性的影响规律。然后,基于工作空间特性和运动灵活性评价指标,采用蒙特卡罗法进行结构参数设计,通过建立各结构参数的概率模型空间选取了一组综合性能较好的结构参数:机械腿固定平台万向副分布直角边长为230 mm,运动平台球面副分布直角边长为70 mm,支链最大直径为60 mm,各支链套筒和伸缩杆长度均为500 mm。最后,采用选取的结构参数设计出机械腿及轮腿混合四足机器人整体的虚拟样机,并对虚拟样机进行迈步运动仿真,结果表明:机械腿的各驱动参数变化非常平稳且峰值均在合理范围之内,证明机械腿的设计方案和结构参数较为合理。该研究为拓展轮腿混合四足机器人在农业工程领域的应用提供了参考。     

含关节间隙的Delta机器人弹性动力学与振动特性分析

针对经济实用型并联机器人关节间隙对动平台位置精度与系统振动特性影响的问题,以Delta机器人为研究对象,利用数理统计原理对含关节间隙的Delta机器人支链进行了运动学分析,结合Lankarani-Nikravesh碰撞接触力模型与具有动态修正系数的Coulomb摩擦模型对关节间隙广义碰撞力进行了研究。利用空间有限元理论与拉格朗日方程,充分考虑主、从动臂的空间动力特性与运动协调关系,建立了Delta机器人弹性动力学模型,在定义杆件虚长度的基础上,将关节间隙产生的广义碰撞力结合到弹性动力学模型中,建立了含关节间隙的Delta机器人弹性动力学模型。借助FARO激光跟踪仪对间隙弹性动力学模型进行了验证分析,利用脉冲锤击法与Workbench软件仿真对Delta机器人的振动特性进行了研究分析。试验结果表明,考虑关节间隙时动平台中心点的运动轨迹较不考虑关节间隙时更靠近试验运行结果,验证了间隙弹性动力学模型的合理性与正确性,并且,系统前两阶非零固有频率的理论值与试验值的相对误差分别为3.544%和12.026%,两者相当接近。另外,由仿真结果可以发现3组从动臂是Delta机器人整机系统中最薄弱的环节。该研究可为经济实用型并联机器人的位置误差补偿与系统减振优化提供参考。     

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.