大蒜取种装置取种清种性能离散元模拟与试验

针对当前大蒜机械化种植单粒率低的问题,采用"取多留一"的设计思路,设计了爪式循环单粒取种装置,采用离散元技术建立大蒜充种与清种动力学模型,通过单因素仿真试验明晰了该装置完成单粒取种的内在机理。充种过程以取种爪中间板圆弧半径、圆心角及侧板横向间距为试验因素,以目标率为试验指标,通过Box-Behnken试验设计原理进行多因素仿真试验,得到影响目标率的参数依次为取种爪侧板横向间距、中间板圆心角、中间板圆弧半径;清种过程以清种栅板倾角为试验因素,以合格率、漏播率为试验指标,通过One-Factor试验设计原理进行清种性能试验,得到其响应曲线。采用Design-Expert8.0.6进行取种参数优化,结果表明各参数最优值分别为中间板圆弧半径为48.52 mm,中间板圆心角为72.59°,侧板横向间距为25.11 mm,栅板倾斜角度为7.41°;模型预测的目标率为90.64%,合格率为92.52%,漏播率为3.30%。开展了室内及大田试验,试验数据与优化结果一致,为大蒜机械化播种单粒取种技术研究提供了参考。     

自动定向大蒜播种机的设计与试验

针对现有大蒜播种机难以满足蒜种"鳞芽朝上、直立栽种"农艺要求的问题,该文设计了一种大蒜自动定向播种机。该播种机主要由底盘、机架、种箱、取种装置、蒜种定向装置、插播装置、气动控制系统和镇压轮组成。采用链勺式取种方式完成单粒取种,利用三级锥形料斗实现蒜种鳞芽定向,通过鸭嘴式插播器实现直立栽种。设计了各关键部件结构,通过试验研究探明了影响取种效果和鳞芽定向效果的主要因素,确定了合理工作参数组合。以兰陵大蒜为试验对象,取种试验表明,当播种机行进速度0.10 m/s、振动机构振动作用力15 N、十字轮转速20 r/min时,单粒取种率为93.50%,多粒率为2.30%,漏取率为4.20%,综合取种效果最优;蒜种定向试验表明,当3级料斗尖锥半顶角依次为45°、40°和30°时,料斗安装间距100 mm、料斗打开间隔时间0.4 s时的鳞芽朝上率为94.44%,综合定向效果最优。大蒜播种机田间试验结果表明,上述参数组合下鳞芽朝上率为89.2%,重播率为3.2%,漏播率为2.0%,播种效率为500～650 m~2/h,满足大蒜播种农艺需求。该文研究结果为推动大蒜播种机械化和自动化发展提供参考。     

勺夹式花生小区单粒精量播种单体设计与试验

针对花生小区播种机播种尺寸差异较大种子时存在适应性差、单粒精播粒距合格率低等问题,该研究设计了一种基于STM32单片机控制的勺夹式花生小区单粒精量播种单体。采用先充种后投种的模式,利用夹持空间可调节的勺夹式排种器向双格盘播种总成内单粒排种,由STM32单片机控制光电传感器、增量式编码器以及步进电机等元件,实现有序充种和投种。根据播种时花生种子的运动轨迹,确定影响机具作业性能的主要参数为机具作业速度和投种口离地高度。以提高单粒精播粒距合格率,降低播种漏播率、重播率、破损率为目标,对机具作业参数进行单因素与双因素数值模拟分析,探究了机具作业速度、投种口离地高度以及二者交互作用对播种性能的影响。试验结果表明,机具作业速度0.9 m/s、投种口离地高度15 cm时的播种效果最佳：粒距合格率为96.20%、重播率为2.97%、破损率为0.50%、漏播率为0.33%,整机通过性和适用性良好,能够满足小区育种试验要求。该研究可为花生小区精量播种技术研发提供参考。     

勺夹式藠头排种器设计与试验

针对藠头（Allium chinense）种植劳动强度大、人工成本高等问题,该研究设计了一种由排种盘、取种勺、取投种凸轮、种箱、安装板等组成的勺夹式藠头排种器。对该排种器工作原理和取种、携种、投种过程进行理论分析,建立离散元仿真模型,对取种过程进行仿真分析,确定了最优种勺结构。以大叶藠为对象,以取种合格率和漏取率为试验指标,进行种勺直径、种勺深度、取种起始角、种面高度与种箱高度之比和取种速度5因素显著性筛选试验,并以种勺直径、取种起始角、种面高度与种箱高度之比为试验因素进行回归正交试验;采用Plackett-Burman试验法和Box-Behnken中心试验法建立取种合格率和漏取率的回归模型,并进行参数优化,获得最优参数组合为种勺直径27mm、取种起始角30°和种面高度与种箱高度之比92.5%。在最优参数组合下进行台架试验,得到取种合格率91.17%,漏取率6.17%。田间试验结果表明在前进速度0.1～0.2 m/s的条件下,该排种器平均播种合格率、平均重播率和漏播率分别为63.10%、12.76%和24.14%。研究结果可为藠头播种机械的研究与设计提供参考。     

气吸式杂交稻单粒排种器研制

针对气力式水稻精量排种器充种不稳定、单粒播种精度不高和播种量大的问题,该研究设计了一种具有矩形吸种孔和辅助充种装置的气吸式杂交稻单粒排种器。根据“吉田优”型杂交稻的长短轴重力分布情况,确定排种盘吸种孔形状;基于CFD-DEM(Computational fluid dynamics, Discrete element method)流固耦合理论,以吸附力为指标,进行5类具有相同面积的吸种孔单因素仿真试验,确定吸附力最大的吸种孔规格为0.8 mm×2.25 mm;以该型吸种孔为基础,选取辅助充种角、工作转速和工作负压为试验因素,以单粒率S、多粒率M和漏播率L为试验指标,开展Box-Bhnken台架试验,对试验结果进行响应曲面分析和多目标优化,得到排种盘辅助充种角为80.90°、工作转速为42.65 r/min、工作负压为621 Pa时,排种器的单粒率为86.91%,漏播率为3.63%。验证试验结果的排种器单粒率为86.36%、漏播率为3.41%,与优化结果吻合。研究结果可为后续气吸式杂交稻单粒排种器的优化设计和直播机整机作业精度的提高提供指导。     

花生播种机内侧充种式排种器的性能试验

摘要：为了将内充种式排种器应用到花生播种机上,该文对内侧充种式排种器进行试验研究。试验基于JPS-12型排种器试验台,采用单因素试验和多因素多水平试验相结合的方法,分别研究排种轴转速、投种高度和种子尺寸对排种器性能的影响。性能指标选定穴距合格率、双粒率、单粒率、重播率、漏播率、破损率。对试验结果进行方差分析,确定排种盘转速在30 r/min,投种高度在25 cm,花生品种为丰花5号时,排种性能达到最优值（穴距合格率为96.12%,双粒率为96.36%,单粒率为0.91%,重播率为1.82%,漏播率为0.91%,破损率为0.35%）。该研究为高效花生播种机的设计提供依据。     

勺链式大蒜播种机漏取种检测与补种装置设计及试验

针对勺链式大蒜播种机在取种过程中的漏取问题,该研究设计了一种以激光传感器、转勺式补种器、补种箱为核心的大蒜漏取种检测与补种装置,并搭建了试验台.利用漫反射激光传感器对取种情况进行检测,根据输出脉冲判断取种勺是否漏取种,设计了以STM32处理器、电磁离合器为核心的漏取种检测与补种控制系统.为得到取种勺漏取蒜种时的临界脉冲...     

自扰动内充型孔轮式玉米精量排种器设计与试验

为提高机械式排种器的工作性能,该文从增加充种区种群活跃度、降低种群内摩擦力的角度出发,设计一种自扰动内充型孔轮式玉米精量排种器,分析了种子在扰种条上运动情况和充种原理,完成排种盘的参数设计。采用离散元软件EDEM对排种器进行仿真试验,以排种盘转速、扰种条形式、排种盘圆台锥角、扰种条半径为试验因素,以排种单粒率、重播率、漏播率为试验指标进行单因素试验和二次正交回归旋转组合试验。应用Design-Expert8.0.6对试验数据进行分析,得到了单粒率、重播率、漏播率和试验指标之间的数学模型,对试验结果进行多目标优化,得出最佳参数为:排种盘转速8.4 r/min,螺旋扰种条,排种盘圆台锥角38.6?,扰种条半径1.24 mm,此时排种单粒率为96.29%,重播率为2.55%,漏播率为1.15%。在最优参数组合下进行台架试验,排种器的单粒率、重播率和漏播率分别为95.4%、1.6%和3.0%;且当排种盘转速在8.40～16.67 r/min(对应工作速度为4.94～9.75 km/h)时,排种单粒率大于91.4%,重播率小于1.6%,漏播率小于7.3%,伤种率小于0.44%,排种效果优于勺轮式排种器,满足玉米单粒精播的农艺要求,对播种机作业速度适应范围广。基于EDEM离散元法的排种器仿真试验为排种器性能参数的确定提供参考且缩短设计周期,该研究可为提高机械式排种器充种性能提供参考,为玉米精量播种机的设计提供研究基础。     

气吸式排种器带式导种装置的设计与试验

针对免耕播种机双圆盘式开沟器投种点高,种子播入土壤中粒距变异系数大,合格指数低的缺陷,该文在对气吸式排种器成穴时间平衡分析的基础上,设计开发了一种与取种盘转速、播种机行走速度相关,且传动与投种机构一体的带式导种装置,并确定了该气吸式排种器带式导种装置的主要结构参数。在综合试验因素对株距合格率,重播率和漏播率影响不同的基础上,确定影响排种质量的主次顺序为投种点高度、取种盘转速和负压室压力,较优参数组合为投种点高度100mm,取种盘转速30r/min和负压室压力3.5kPa。此时粒距合格率为98.50%、漏播率为0.48%、重播率为1.02%。通过试验验证,试验值与理论值误差分别为0.11%、0.17%和0.08%,符合试验要求。该文为气吸式排种器的参数优化与排种质量进一步提升提供了理论依据。     

摩擦复充种型孔带式水稻精量排种器充种性能分析与验证

为解决杂交稻工厂化穴盘育秧低播量精密播种问题,提出了一种摩擦复充种型孔带式水稻精量排种器,对种子充填过程进行了力学和运动学分析,确定影响试验指标的影响因素分别为型孔方向角、型孔带速度、型孔带倾角和种层厚度。通过EDEM离散元软件仿真分析了种子多次循环重复充种过程和充种效果,并分别分析了型孔带速度、型孔带倾角、种层厚度对充种性能的影响规律。基于仿真分析结果进行了较优组合验证试验,结果表明:在型孔方向角为90°,型孔带倾角为43°,型孔带转速为0.11 m/s,种层厚度为50 mm时充种合格率为96.4%,多粒率为1.4%,漏充率为2.2%,种子破碎率为0.18%,效果较优。摩擦复充种型孔带式水稻精量排种器能够满足杂交稻低播量精密播种的农艺要求,研究结果为工厂化穴盘育秧精量播种机的设计提供参考。     

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,     

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.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

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.