适宜宰后成熟时间提高牦牛肉品质

为了研究宰后成熟时间对牦牛肉品质的影响,该研究采集牦牛背最长肌,真空包装后进行成熟排酸,成熟期间取样测定pH值、剪切力、持水能力、色度,并通过标准化和动力学模型分析研究其变化规律。结果发现,除了黄色度b*以外,其余品质指标均在21d的成熟过程中有显著变化(P0.05)。相比于7 d成熟,延长至21 d的长时间成熟可将牦牛肉剪切力显著地降低47%(P0.05),并将蒸煮损失和红色度a*分别显著地提高28%和32%(P0.05)。通过对比线性函数、指数函数、二次函数对牦牛肉品质变化的预测效果,结果发现二次函数预测模型与牦牛肉宰后品质变化具有相对最好的拟合度(决定系数R2范围为0.90~0.98),其中pH值、剪切力、加压损失、亮度L*值随时间的变化函数呈现出凸函数特征,而蒸煮损失和a*值则呈现出凹函数特征。结果表明,相比于牛肉品质宰后预测中常用的线性函数和指数函数而言,二次函数更适用于牦牛肉品质变化的预测,而将牦牛肉宰后成熟时间延长至21 d可有效降低牦牛肉剪切力。研究可为牦牛肉品质控制提供参考。     

不同贮藏温度下宰后羊肉的肉质变化及其影响因素

为研究宰后羊肉中一磷酸腺苷活化蛋白激酶（AMPK）的活化程度对糖酵解进而对肉质的影响,探讨肌肉宰后成熟的机理。将宰后羊肉分别放置在0、4和15℃下保存,在保存后的0～24 h内测定羊肉的AMPK活性、肌糖原（mg/g）、pH值和乳酸（μmol/g）,在保存后的0～7 d内测定羊肉的剪切力、熟肉率、肌原纤维小片化指数（MFI）和肉色的变化。结果表明,保存在15℃的羊肉具有最高的AMPK活化值（P＜0.05）,肌糖原和pH值下降快,乳酸蓄积多,剪切力的回降速度和熟肉率的回升速度快,MFI高,肉色变差最快。这说明宰后羊肉的保存温度越高,AMPK越容易被激活,肉的糖酵解和成熟速度越快。     

宰后盆骨吊挂方式及成熟时间对黄牛牛肉品质的影响

为研究宰后盆骨吊挂技术对中国黄牛牛肉品质的影响,该试验选取12头品种、年龄和活体质量相近的鲁西黄牛杂交西门塔尔牛,屠宰后左半胴体采用跟腱吊挂,右半胴体采用盆骨吊挂。分别成熟1、4、7、14和21 d后测定pH值、汁液损失率、蒸煮损失率、肉色、剪切力、肌节长度等指标。研究发现,和传统跟腱吊挂相比,盆骨吊挂能够显著降低肉牛背最长肌宰后7 d之内的剪切力值,并使背最长肌宰后14 d的剪切力值50.71 N低于跟腱吊挂宰后21d的剪切力值58.48 N,此外,盆骨吊挂可以显著增加肌节长度,增值为0.44μm,使牛肉的汁液损失由5.44%降低到4.29%。因此,盆骨吊挂技术具有工业化推广的价值,可以达到快速提高牛肉嫩度,减少牛肉成熟时间的目的。     

冷却牦牛分割肉酶嫩化技术研究

牦牛肉色泽鲜红，风味纯正，营养丰富，但肌纤维较粗，易出现“冷收缩”现象，使质地坚硬，嫩度下降。为提高冷却牦牛肉的嫩度，改善肉质，该研究将木瓜蛋白酶用于冷却牦牛分割肉嫩化，通过L₉(3⁴)正交试验选择出最佳嫩化工艺参数，即酶浓度9 mg/kg，处理温度15℃，处理时间3 h。采用注射嫩化法，真空包装、急速冷却后在0～4℃条件下贮藏。结果表明，木瓜蛋白酶可明显提高肉的嫩度，使剪切力值(48.44 N/cm²、肌纤维直径(8.03 μm)、失水率(5.91%)下降，口感改善，对冷却肉的贮藏性无影响(0～4℃，9 d)，操作方法简单，成本低，适合工厂化生产，实用性强。     

高压处理对牛肉感官特性与食用品质的影响

通过对宰后牛肉施加250 MPa的压力处理，分析测定处理后牛肉在贮藏期间理化指标的变化，研究了高压处理对牛肉感官品质的影响。试验结果表明高压处理能明显降低牛肉的剪切力和改善牛肉的嫩度(P<0.01)，高压嫩化的效果与肌肉的部位密切相关，压力处理对背最长肌和里脊的嫩化作用最明显。压力处理后牛肉的可溶性物质含量有所增加,但在贮藏后期差异不显著(P>0.05)，压力处理对牛肉中的游离氨基酸的影响不明显(P>0.05)，这也表明压力处理对牛肉风味的贡献与自然成熟的作用相近。通过研究可以得出结论，在室温下用250 MPa的压力处理宰后热剔骨(6小时以内)真空包装的牛肉10 min，0～4℃冷藏条件下贮存2～3 d，可获得嫩度好、其它感官指标不明显低于低温吊挂成熟7～10 d的产品。     

模拟运输温度变化对牦牛肉品质及货架期的影响

为研究运输温度变化对牦牛肉品质及货架期的影响,本试验模拟牦牛肉在4、6、8、10、12℃条件下静态运输4 h,测定不同贮藏期牦牛肉的汁液流失、蒸煮损失、肉色、剪切力、挥发性盐基氮含量和菌落总数的变化,并对温度、贮藏时间与各项品质指标进行相关性分析。结果表明,随着运输温度的升高,牦牛肉的汁液流失率、蒸煮损失率、挥发性盐基氮含量和菌落总数显著增大(P0.05),剪切力值显著下降(P0.05),肉色差异不显著(P0.05);随着贮藏时间的延长,牦牛肉的汁液流失率、蒸煮损失率、L*值、挥发性盐基氮含量和菌落总数显著增大(P0.05),a*值和剪切力值显著下降(P0.05)。牦牛肉在4、6、8、10、12℃条件下静态运输4 h后的货架期分别约为8、8、6、4、2 d。相关性分析表明,运输温度和贮藏时间与汁液流失、蒸煮损失、挥发性盐基氮和菌落总数呈显著正相关(P0.05),与剪切力值呈显著负相关(P0.05);相关系数表明贮藏时间对牦牛肉品质的影响大于运输温度。总之,运输温度的升高和贮藏时间的延长均会使牦牛肉的品质下降,运输过程维持4~6℃可最大限度地保持牦牛肉的品质和货架期。本研究为牦牛肉运输过程中的温度控制提供了理论依据与技术支持。     

高压和氯化钙结合处理对牛肉嫩度的影响

为探明高压和氯化钙（CaCl2）注射结合处理对僵直后期牛肉嫩度的影响,首先分别对CaCl2浓度、高压强度及保压时间对宰后36?h的牛背最长肌嫩度的影响进行分析,在3个单因素试验的基础上,采用Box-Behnken响应曲面中心组合设计法,对高压和CaCl2结合处理嫩化牛肉的工艺参数进行优化,并通过透射电镜对肌纤维的超微结构进行分析。结果表明：以CaCl2浓度、高压强度和保压时间为自变量,剪切力值为响应值,得到的二次多项式回归模型拟合度高（决定系数R2=0.9742）;高压强度、保压时间、CaCl2浓度、高压强度和保压时间的交互作用对牛肉嫩化效果极显著（P＜0.01）,高压强度和CaCl2浓度的交互作用对牛肉嫩化效果显著（P＜0.05）。高压和CaCl2结合处理嫩化牛肉最佳工艺为：高压强度241?MPa,CaCl2浓度0.24?mol/L（样品质量5%的注射量）,保压时间14?min。应用此工艺嫩化牛肉,和对照相比牛背最长肌剪切力值下降了52.98%,肌纤维间隙增大,肌节完整性遭受破坏,牛肉嫩度明显改善。     

两段式冷却对牛肉食用品质的影响

为探讨两段式冷却对牛肉食用品质的影响,以20头杂交牛胴体（延边牛×西门塔尔牛）按试验设计进行两段式冷却（温度-13～-15℃、时间2 h,风速3 m/s,随后转入常规冷却间至24 h）和常规冷却处理（温度0～4℃、时间24 h）相比较,研究不同处理对牛肉食用品质的影响。表明：两段式冷却处理加快胴体温度下降速率,减缓pH值下降速率,显著降低胴体冷却质量损失,使肉的色泽鲜红,提高肉的剪切力,对背最长肌的保水性无影响。可以认为在肉牛屠宰加工流程中,单独采用两段式冷却处理能降低肉的嫩度,但随时间的增加,剪切力值会有所降低,建议应用时结合电刺激处理来同时改善肉的食用品质。     

加热温度和时间对牛肉嫩度影响的主成分分析评价

为研究加热温度及时间对不同部位牛肉嫩度的影响,该研究以夏南牛肩肉、外脊和米龙3个部位肉为例,分别代表牛胴体前、中、后躯部位肉,提出了一种基于主成分分析的高熟度牛肉嫩度综合评价方法。利用剪切力测定法和质构剖面分析测定了6头夏南牛3个部位(肩肉、外脊、米龙)4个加热温度(70、80、90、100℃)6个保温时间(0、30、60、90、120、180 min)的剪切力值和质构指标,对不同加热处理牛肉的蒸煮损失、剪切力值、硬度、黏附性、弹性、内聚性、胶着性、咀嚼性和回复性等9个指标进行主成分分析,从中提取了3个主成分,方差贡献率分别为56.53%、24.43%、8.62%,分别代表牛肉的咀嚼特性、抗压特性和剪切特性,累积方差贡献率达89.58%,并建立了综合评价模型。试验结果表明,在高熟度牛肉的评价过程中,以剪切力值作为主要载荷的第3主成分在肉品嫩度综合评价中仅占很小的比例,并不能代表肉品嫩度的全部信息,因此不能把剪切力值作为高熟度牛肉嫩度评价的主要指标,在评价过程中应综合考虑与内聚性、胶着性、咀嚼性和回复性等与肉品质地相关的指标进行分析评价;加热温度和时间对牛肉嫩度综合得分影响较大,当肉块中心温度小于80℃时,随着加热时间的延长,牛肉嫩度综合得分整体变化比较平稳;而当肉块中心温度高于80℃时,随着加热时间的延长,牛肉嫩度品质综合得分整体呈下降趋势,且中心温度越高,加热时间越长,得分值越低。运用主成分分析减少了牛肉嫩度品质的评价指标,简化评价流程,为高熟度牛肉嫩度评价提供理论依据。     

待宰时间和致晕方式对生猪应激及猪肉品质的影响

国内外对于生猪宰前因素已经做过大量的研究,但总体来讲,对于待宰时间的研究一直没有形成定论;由于生产成本等问题,国内对于CO2致晕的应用与研究均较少;对于不同的电击晕方式,在同一体系下的成批量的比较涉及很少,另外对于应激指标的选择一直没有统一的标准。该文研究了在电击晕、二氧化碳致晕和不同待宰时间(3、6和12h)条件下,杜大长三元杂交猪血液应激指标和猪肉品质的变化。结果显示:待宰3h的生猪血液指标显著低于另外2种方式,而二氧化碳致晕方式使得生猪血液中乳酸含量、肌酸激酶含量、皮质醇含量和乳酸脱氢酶含量显著低于不击晕和电击晕方式。不同待宰时间对胴体背最长肌宰后24h的温度、pH值、蒸煮损失、明亮度、红色度和黄色度没有显著影响(P>0.05),但是待宰3h的生猪胴体宰后45min的pH值和温度明显较低,汁液损失和剪切力也显著小于待宰6和12h的值;而与不击晕和电击晕方式相比,二氧化碳致晕产生的猪肉宰后45min的pH值和温度较低、汁液损失较大、明亮度较大、红色度和黄色度值较小。因此生猪待宰3h并通过二氧化碳致晕产生的应激反应与猪肉品质影响最小。生产中应加强对待宰时间和致晕方式的控制,并注意利用各种处理方法对肉品质影响的协同作用,从而最大程度实现猪肉品质的改良。     

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.