叶片安放角对轴流泵马鞍区运行特性的影响

为分析叶片安放角对轴流泵马鞍区工况运行特性的影响,以比转速822的轴流泵为研究模型,试验测试了不同叶片安放角下的运行特性。研究表明:随着叶片安放角的增大,模型泵最优工况处的扬程、流量和效率均逐渐增大,-4°到+4°的增幅分别为10.4%,26.7%和0.87%;不同安放角下,泵扬程曲线均存在明显的马鞍区;随着叶片安放角的增大,试验泵马鞍区的绝对位置向右上方偏移,但相对位置仍主要位于0.5QBEP~0.6QBEP(QBEP为最高效率点对应的额定流量),且均在0.55QBEP时扬程达到最小值;随着叶片安放角的减小,马鞍区内相对扬程在逐渐增大,马鞍区驼峰特性有所改善;随着叶片安放角的增大,各个安放角下马鞍区范围内的压力脉动较最优工况下更剧烈;叶轮进口压力脉动主频为叶片通过频率,泵出口处压力脉动主要受导叶影响,随流量减小逐渐向高频移动;随着叶片安放角的增大,叶轮进口和泵出口处主频处的压力脉动幅值均逐渐增大,在叶轮进口处,0.6QBEP和0.55QBEP时压力脉动幅值最大增幅分别达1.78和1.65倍,在泵出口处,正安放角下压力脉动幅值相对负角度有所增大;内流分析表明小流量工况下叶轮进口存在回流现象,叶轮出口靠近轮毂处有明显旋涡,导致小流量下压力脉动幅值增大。     

双叶片泵内压力脉动的数值模拟

为分析双叶片泵内压力脉动特点及其主要影响因素,采用RNG κ-ε模型对由叶轮水体、蜗壳水体及叶轮进口延伸段水体组成的三维计算区域进行3种不同工况下的非定常计算。通过分析计算模拟数据得出压力脉动时域图及频谱图,结果表明,双叶片泵内压力波动呈正弦周期性变化,进口处监测点压力波周期为其他监测点的2倍;压力脉动主要与泵内动静耦合作用有关,叶轮进口压力脉动主频等于叶轮的转频,叶轮与蜗壳耦合处及蜗壳出口压力脉动主频等于叶轮转频与叶片数的乘积,不同流量下同一监测点具有相同的主频,但其主频幅值不同,小流量下幅值最大,设计流量下幅值最小,叶轮与蜗壳耦合处压力脉动从隔舌处开始在叶轮旋转方向上逐渐衰退,所得结论对掌握双叶片泵内压力脉动产生的原理及其特性具有重要的指导意义。     

高比转速斜流泵内部非定常压力脉动特性

为了研究斜流泵叶轮和导叶的动静相干作用引起的内部压力脉动特性,该文基于标准k-ε模型,采用SIMPLEC算法和滑移网格技术,对高比转速斜流泵进行非定常数值模拟,分析了不同工况下的叶轮进出口、导叶中部和导叶出口等位置的压力脉动的时域和频域特性。通过定常计算的扬程、效率值与试验值进行对比,证明该计算方法和网格可以较准确地反映斜流泵内的流动特性。计算结果表明,斜流泵最大压力脉动发生在叶轮进口前,泵运行偏离最优工况越远,叶轮进口处压力系数幅值越大,在0.7Qopt工况时叶轮进口监测点P03的压力系数幅值约为最优工况的1.5倍;压力脉动主频为叶轮叶片通过频率。研究成果为揭示斜流泵内部压力脉动规律提供了一定的理论参考。     

管道泵不稳定压力及振动特性研究

为了找到引起管道泵振动的原因,该文研究了一比转速为59的管道泵叶轮-蜗壳的动静干涉所引起的压力脉动现象,及其对泵振动特性的影响。该文通过对比数值计算方法与试验方法获得的能量特性曲线,验证了计算模型的有效性;在此基础上分析管道泵蜗壳内的脉动压力场,通过数值计算有效研究了蜗壳周向不同位置处43个监测点在不同流量下的压力脉动幅值,特别在叶片通过频率下,蜗壳内的压力脉动特征与流量及蜗壳内监测点位置的关系。同时,通过振动试验,获取泵4个监测区域内25个监测点在不同流量下的振动幅值,通过快速傅里叶变换对振动信号进行频谱分析。计算和试验结果共同表明,隔舌区域的压力脉动幅值最大,叶片通过频率210Hz是压力脉动的主导频率;压力脉动及泵振动均在叶片通过频率下达到最大峰值,进一步论证了叶片通过频率是管道泵产生振动的主要频率值,由该频率引起的压力脉动冲力是管道泵产生振动的主要作用力;泵的压力脉动幅值和振动幅值均高于设计工况;4个监测区域内的振动幅值从大到小依次为:管道支撑,电机,泵体,底座。研究结果可为管道泵低振动的设计提供参考。     

液环泵复合叶轮内流场及外特性分析

为分析复合叶轮液环泵的内流场及外特性,以2BEA203型液环泵为基础,综合考虑液环泵叶轮及复合叶轮设计原理,设计了液环泵复合叶轮,并采用数值模拟与试验测试相结合的方法对原型叶轮液环泵和复合叶轮液环泵内瞬态流场进行对比分析。结果表明:相对于原型叶轮液环泵,复合叶轮液环泵内气液分界面更加光滑,排气区及压缩区壳体处压力分布均有所降低,叶轮流道内二次流旋涡强度减弱。2BEA203型液环泵复合叶轮在0.02、0.035和0.05kg/s流量工况下的效率分别提升了2.7、3.8和4.3个百分点,各工况下的真空度也略有提高。由于流动的非对称特性,复合叶轮和原型叶轮液环泵壳体内压力脉动沿周向均呈现出明显的分区特性。液环泵壳体从吸气区开始沿圆周方向的压力脉动幅值先变小,在压缩区达到最小而后再变大;复合叶轮液环泵壳体绝大部分监测点处压力脉动幅值小于原型叶轮;液环泵壳体各分区的压力脉动呈现不同的主频特征。     

混流泵启动过程压力脉动特性试验

为研究混流泵启动瞬态过程规律,建立了混流泵启动过程瞬态外特性和压力脉动测量系统,探究不同启动时间和不同流量下瞬态压力脉动的时频特性。通过变频器设置启动时间,分别采用LWGY-250型涡轮流量计和MPM480型压力传感器进行瞬态流量和瞬态压力测量,并基于小波变换对启动过程的非平稳压力脉动信号进行分析。研究结果表明,在启动过程中,随着泵转速增加,流量和扬程曲线均可近似分为缓慢上升、快速上升而后缓慢趋于稳定3个阶段,且每个阶段完成时间均与启动时间长短呈正相关。启动结束时刻,由角加速度与低工况运行共同引起的压力冲击现象与流量大小和启动时间有关。流量一定时,启动时间越短,压力冲击越显著;启动时间一定时,流量越大,进口压力冲击越小甚至消失,而叶轮中部与出口的压力冲击愈加明显;1 s启动且稳定工况为1.2倍设计流量时,叶轮中部与出口的最大冲击压力值分别可达37和28 kPa。对于快速启动,流量对启动过程瞬态压力变化无影响,在启动结束后流量对压力变化影响开始显现,当压力趋于平稳时,2种不同流量下叶轮中部的压力差约为30k Pa;对于慢速启动,流量对启动特性的影响在启动过程便有明显体现,在启动结束时刻,叶轮中部和出口的压力峰值均下降15k Pa。启动过程中,叶轮主频为叶频及其倍频,其变化趋势与转速变化一致。快速启动条件下,在启动结束时刻主频压力幅值存在由压力冲击造成的极大值。研究成果可为揭示瞬态运行特性及优化、设计瞬态工作水泵提供参考。     

轴流泵叶轮出口尾迹区非定常压力和速度场特性

为了分析轴流泵叶轮出口尾迹和势流交替干扰特性,基于RNGk-ε湍流模型和SIMPLE算法,对南水北调工程用轴流泵模型进行了数值计算。通过定常预测的外特性结果与试验值进行比较,验证了计算网格和湍流模型的适用性,并在此基础上计算了轴流泵叶轮出口尾迹区非定常流场特性。研究结果表明,通过轴流泵全流场数值计算结果与试验值对比,在最优工况下计算扬程相对误差为4.56%,效率相对误差为2.78%,较好反映了轴流泵内部流动特性;在小流量工况下,轴流泵叶轮出口圆周方向轴面速度存在与叶片数相同的3个主波峰和3个次波峰;随着流量增大,叶轮出口圆周方向速度分布图中的波峰与导叶叶片数相同。在小流量工况和设计工况下,叶轮出口尾迹区压力脉动时域图出现3个主波峰,随着流量增大,额外产生了3个次波峰。基于FFT变换发现不同流量工况下的压力脉动主频均以叶频为主,其他谐频以叶频为基频,呈倍数出现,且主频的幅值随着流量减小而迅速上升。     

S形下卧式轴伸贯流泵装置的振动特性分析

为分析S形下卧式轴伸贯流泵装置的振动特性,该文通过物理模型试验,研究了5个叶片安放角时S形下卧式轴伸贯流泵装置的能量性能,在导叶体进口处布置2个振动测点,采用EN900数据采集分析仪和振动速度传感器VS-080对叶片安放角为+4°与4°时各工况的泵装置模型进行振动测试和分析。测试结果表明:在叶片安放角2°时,S形下卧式轴伸贯流泵装置的最高效率达83.55%,此时流量为289.28L/s,装置扬程为4.438m。在相同叶片安放角时,泵装置在径向的振幅峰峰值Ap-p高于铅垂方向。随泵装置扬程的增大,径向振幅峰峰值呈先减小后增大的趋势,泵装置的不平衡振动频率与转频成倍数函数关系。在扬程相同时,在叶片安放角为+4°时泵装置在径向的振幅峰峰值较大,不同叶片安放角时泵装置铅垂方向的振幅峰峰值差异性较小。研究结果可为该泵装置的安全稳定运行及同类型泵装置的振动分析提供参考。     

混流泵压力脉动特性及其对流动诱导噪声的影响

为了研究不同工况下混流泵内部压力脉动特性及其对流动诱导噪声的影响,基于RANS方程和SST k-ω湍流模型,对混流泵进行非定常数值计算,在此基础上取叶片表面非定常压力脉动作为声源,采用间接边界元法对由叶片旋转偶极子源所引起的外场噪声进行数值计算。结果表明:混流泵叶轮进出口处的压力脉动幅值均是沿着轮缘到轮毂逐渐减小,叶轮进口处压力系数的最大值是出口处的2倍;沿着蜗壳周向,隔舌部位处压力脉动最为剧烈,随着监测点的位置远离隔舌,其压力脉动情况逐步改善;不同工况下,混流泵内各处的压力脉动主频均保持叶片通过频率不变;混流泵叶轮和蜗壳之间的动静干涉作用是引发流动诱导噪声的主要原因;流动诱导噪声的主频是由压力脉动主频以及泵体结构的固有频率综合决定的;不同工况下,混流泵内部压力脉动程度越强,该工况对应的流动诱导噪声辐射水平越强。该文对混流泵机组的稳定运行以及流动诱导噪声的控制提供了参考。     

多级离心泵内部非定常压力分布特性

为研究多级离心泵运行过程中的振动特性,以一台两级离心泵为例,建立整泵的流道模型,基于计算流体力学(computational fluid dynamics,CFD)软件ANSYS CFX,选取标准k-ε模型,进行全流场三维非定常数值计算,获取额定工况下叶轮出口处和径向导叶内不同位置处的压力脉动特性、作用在叶轮上的扭矩特性以及作用在叶轮上的径向力特性,并对其进行频域分析。结果表明:各监测点的压力均呈现出以叶片通过频率为主频的周期性压力波动;作用在叶轮上的径向力呈现脉动状态,其矢量分布图基本呈圆形分布,作用在叶轮上的扭矩呈现出以叶片通过正导叶频率为主频的周期性波动;叶片和导叶间动静干涉是影响压力和扭矩波动的主要因素。该研究结果为改善泵体结构设计,提高多级泵的使用稳定性提供依据。     

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,     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.