平菇P1培养条件优化及其黄曲霉毒素降解酶的初步分离

前期筛选获得了可降解黄曲霉毒素的平菇P1,为进一步提高其降解能力,通过优化平菇P1的培养条件,确定在培养温度30℃、转速200 r·min-1、培养基pH值6.0的条件下培养10d时,平菇P1发酵液降解黄曲霉毒素B1的效果最好,此时790μL平菇P1发酵液可以将1 000 ng黄曲霉毒素B1降解到175.7 ng,降解率达到82.43%。除了可以高效降解黄曲霉毒素B1,平菇P1发酵液还可有效降解黄曲霉毒素B2、G1和G2。平菇P1发酵液对黄曲霉毒素的降解是由多种酶参与的,它们之间存在累加效应。这一研究结果将为典曲霉毒高效降解酶的研制提供基础。     

苹果汁中棒曲霉素臭氧脱毒设备的设计与应用

为了高效降解苹果汁中棒曲霉素,研制了一套利用臭氧技术降解棒曲霉素的设备。该设备利用臭氧的强氧化性,使其与苹果汁充分接触,从而使苹果汁中的棒曲霉素发生氧化分解。以人工污染的苹果汁为试验材料,研究了该设备的脱毒效果及对果汁主要品质指标的影响。研究结果表明:该臭氧脱毒设备能够有效降解苹果汁中的棒曲霉素,且臭氧浓度和臭氧处理时间均显著影响棒曲霉素的降解效果(P0.05)。在果汁棒曲霉素起始浓度约为201.60μg/L,pH值3.5和可溶性固形物质量分数为15%时,用12 mg/L的臭氧在3 L/min流速下处理15 min,可将棒曲霉素减少到约49.24μg/L,降解率达75.58%,达到世界卫生组织(WHO)和英国软饮料协会(British soft drinks association,BSDA)设定的最大允许限量50μg/L的要求。臭氧处理对果汁可溶性固形物含量、pH值和总酸度无显著影响(P0.05),但对果汁透光率、色值、苹果酸和总酚含量影响较大(P0.05)。该设备具有投资小、脱毒效率高、脱毒成本低、环保无污染、结构简单、易操作、适合各种规模的果汁企业等优势,具有良好的经济效益和社会效益。     

种植至储藏期花生黄曲霉毒素B_1污染研究

为解析种植至储藏期花生受黄曲霉侵染及黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB_1)污染的规律,揭示花生AFB_1污染的源头及主要影响因素,选取种植湛红2号和湛油75的花生田,采集种植期花生果和土壤及储藏1~4个月的花生果,分析花生和土壤真菌菌相,并采用高效液相色谱法测定花生AFB_1含量。结果表明,种植期黄曲霉侵染花生果主要发生在成熟期,但黄曲霉污染率均在8%以下;湛油75花生田土壤黄曲霉菌落数显著低于湛红2号,但花生果黄曲霉污染率显著高于湛红2号,表明湛红2号具有一定的黄曲霉抗性;湛油75和湛红2号分别在110 d和120 d检测到AFB_1,含量分别为3.37μg·kg~(-1)和2.08μg·kg~(-1),表明花生黄曲霉毒素含量与污染率呈正相关。储藏期花生果中未检测到黄曲霉和AFB_1,这主要是由于花生晾晒后水活度(aw)降低至0.70以下,不适合黄曲霉生长繁殖和毒素生物合成。综上,黄曲霉在荚果成熟期开始侵染花生果导致产生AFB_1,而储藏期保持较低的aw可有效预防黄曲霉及AFB_1污染。本研究结果为制定种植至储藏期花生黄曲霉毒素全程防控措施提供了理论依据。     

云芝漆酶的双水相萃取及其降解黄曲霉毒素B_1的活性

为了确定双水相法从云芝CZW11发酵液中直接萃取漆酶的最佳条件及其对黄曲霉毒素B1的降解活性,本研究首先分析了聚乙二醇(PEG)分子质量和浓度、盐的种类和浓度、pH值等因素对漆酶萃取的影响,然后采用响应面分析法优化了萃取条件,最后应用HPLC法测定漆酶作用后黄曲霉毒素B1的残留量。结果表明,选用PEG-(NH_4)_2SO_4双水相系统的最佳提取条件为PEG 4000浓度18.51%、(NH_4)_2SO_4浓度19.63%、pH值7.12,在此条件下漆酶的萃取率为90.39%。经3 min的反应,80U·m L-1的漆酶对黄曲霉毒素B_1的降解率可达46.32%。本研究结果为云芝漆酶的纯化提供了一种简单有效的方法,并为酶法降解黄曲霉毒素B1提供了一定的理论基础。     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法快速测定挂面、方便面中15种真菌毒素

建立超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法快速测定挂面、方便面中黄曲霉毒素B1、 B2、 G1、 G2,雪腐镰刀菌烯醇,脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇,3-乙酰基脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇,15-乙酰基脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇,玉米赤霉烯酮,赭曲霉毒素A,伏马菌素B1、 B2、 B3, T-2毒素和HT-2毒素等15种真菌毒素的分析方法。样品用乙腈-水-甲酸溶液（70∶29∶1, V∶V∶V）提取,经稀释、离心、过滤后,采用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱仪多反应监测模式（正离子模式）测定,稳定同位素稀释内标法定量。结果显示,15种真菌毒素在一定浓度范围内具有良好的线性关系,相关系数均大于0.99。方法检出限为0.1～33.0μg/kg,方法定量限为0.2～100.0μg/kg。3个不同加标水平下的平均加标回收率为76.9%～110.4%,相对标准偏差为0.1%～7.1%。该方法准确度高、精密度好,适用于同时测定挂面、方便面中15种真菌毒素。     

高产漆酶平菇的筛选及其在降解黄曲霉毒素B1中的应用

通过选择培养基平板培养法和液体发酵培养法筛选得到2株高产漆酶的平菇菌株P1和P2,并对平菇菌株产漆酶的培养基进行筛选,得到产漆酶的最适培养基为最低盐MSM培养基。菌株P1不仅产漆酶能力最高,而且降解黄曲霉毒素的能力也最好。在MSM培养基中培养10d时,产漆酶量高达769.44U/L,在800μl的反应体系中,790μl粗酶液可以将1000ng黄曲霉毒素B₁降解到222.62ng,降解率为77.74%,并且平菇粗酶液降解黄曲霉毒素B₁的能力与其中漆酶的含量呈一定的正相关性。     

我国花生土壤黄曲霉菌分布与产后花生黄曲霉毒素污染相关性研究

为了解我国花生土壤黄曲霉分布及产毒特征与产后花生黄曲霉毒素污染相关性,本试验从我国4个典型花生产区黄河流域产区(河北保定)、西北产区(新疆吐鲁番)、长江流域产区(湖北黄冈、四川南充)和东南沿海产区(广东湛江)采集花生土壤样品124份。通过对我国不同产区花生土壤中黄曲霉菌的分布及产毒特征研究,评估我国不同产区花生黄曲霉毒素污染风险。结果表明,湖北黄冈和四川南充土壤中黄曲霉检出率、带菌量和黄曲霉毒素B₁(AFB₁)量均高于其他地区,产后花生受AFB₁污染风险最高,其次为广东湛江和新疆吐鲁番,河北保定花生受AFB₁污染风险最低。从上述4个产区收集64份花生样品开展产后花生AFB₁污染调查,发现湖北黄冈花生AFB₁污染情况最严重,检出率为57%,超标率为10%,其次为四川南充和广东湛江,新疆吐鲁番和河北保定花生受AFB₁污染较轻。风险评估结果与实际检测结果一致,表明花生土壤中黄曲霉菌数量、产毒菌比例及产毒能力与产后花生AFB₁污染呈正相关性。本研究结果为花生黄曲霉毒素污染预警及综合防控提供了理论依据和数据支撑。     

固相萃取-高效液相色谱荧光法测定液态奶制品中的黄曲霉毒素M_1和B_1

建立了固相萃取一高效液相色谱荧光法测定液态奶制品中的黄曲霉毒素M_1和B_1的方法。液态奶制品样品用乙腈一正己烷提取,盐析分层,浓缩后经黄曲霉毒素专用固相萃取柱净化富集,以高效液相色谱荧光法对样品中黄曲霉毒素M_1和B_1进行分离分析。在0.1~50.0μg/kg范围内黄曲霉毒素的质量浓度与色谱峰面积呈良好的线性关系,相关系数的平方大于0.999 6。黄曲霉毒素M_1和B_1在低、中、高3个浓度的加标回收率分别在69.5%~81.6%和73.0%~87.9%之间,日内日间相对标准偏差低于13.3%。在最优条件下对5种不同的液态奶制品样品进行了加标回收实验,表明该方法具有很好的适用性,可用于各种液态奶制品中黄曲霉毒素M_1和B_1的分析。     

生猪黄曲霉毒素中毒的诊断与防治

猪黄曲霉毒素中毒是由于猪误食被黄曲霉或寄生曲霉污染的含有毒素的花生、玉米、麦类、豆类、油粕等而引起,误食后1～2周即可发病.黄曲霉毒素是黄曲霉菌的代谢产物,在高温多雨的季节或保存环境湿度大,24～30℃时在饲料中繁殖旺盛,产生大量毒素,目前发现有20多种,化学性质十分稳定、耐高温,以B1、B2、G1、G2的毒力为最强,对畜牧业生产危害极大.现就黔江区一生猪自繁自养规模养殖场的生猪不明原因陆续发病,随后出现中毒死亡,经临床检查、剖检诊断、病史调查、血液检查,诊断为黄曲霉毒素中毒.现将诊治情况简述如下.     

UPLC–MS/MS同时测定山楂干制品中的8种真菌毒素

建立了一种萃取溶剂少、操作简单、灵敏度高的QuECHERS前处理方法,结合超高效液相色谱-串联质谱实现山楂干制品中黄曲霉毒素(AFB_1、 AFB_2、 AFG_1、 AFG_2)、赭曲霉毒素A (OTA)、交链孢酚(AOH)、交链孢酚单甲醚(AME)、展青霉素(PAT)等8种真菌毒素同步定量分析,并将该方法应用于实际山楂干制品中真菌毒素污染分析,了解其实际污染情况。试验以0.2%甲酸的乙腈溶液为提取剂,采用QuECHERS方法进行前处理,应用超高效液相色谱-质谱联用定量分析8种真菌毒素。结果显示, AFB_1、 AFB_2、 AFG_1、 AFG_2、 OTA、 AOH、 AME等7种真菌毒素在1～50μg/L范围内线性关系良好, PAT在5～50μg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数均R2≥0.991。回收率为84.3%～111.5%。将建立的方法应用于17个山楂干制品样品分析,其中AOH和AME检出率分别为100%、 88.2%,含量为1.2～9.0μg/kg,其余6种毒素均未检出。结果表明,建立的QuECHERS方法适用于山楂干制品中多种真菌毒素同步定量分析。     

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,     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

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.     

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.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

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.