稻麦油兼用高速气送式集排器型孔轮设计与试验

针对水稻、小麦、油菜种子播量要求和外形尺寸差异大且稻麦种子流动性不足，导致气送式集排器兼用性不足、高速供种稳定性不佳的问题，该研究设计了一种稻麦油兼用型孔轮。阐述了高速供种工作原理，开展了供种环节充种、携种、投种阶段力学分析，基于最速降线原理设计了型孔壁面曲线，运用EDEM仿真对比分析了不同转速条件下种群运动状态。通过台架试验明确供种速率和供种稳定性较优的转速范围，并构建了稻麦油供种速率回归模型。台架试验结果表明：对于水稻和小麦种子，型孔轮个数16、供种转速30～50 r/min和50～70 r/min时，供种速率稳定性变异系数小于1%，水稻、小麦的供种速率分别为1050.62～1535.87 g/min和4171.82～5073.76 g/min；对于油菜种子，型孔轮个数为1，供种转速为20～30 r/min时，供种速率稳定性变异系数小于0.5%，供种速率为160.42～227.45 g/min；稻麦油供种速率回归模型预测值与试验值相对误差小于2%。水稻旱直播、小麦、油菜田间播种试验表明，作业速度在8～10 km/h时，集排器总排量稳定性变异系数分别为1.32%、1.16%和1.07%，满足稻麦油兼用播种作业标准要求。研究结果可为高速兼用气送式集排器结构改进提供参考。     

畜牧混合废弃物分选装置运行参数试验研究

为验证一种新型畜牧混合废弃物分选装置的功能并制定合理的运行参数,以混合物料含水率MC、进料流量Q、柔性物分离器转速Nr为试验参数,采用二次正交旋转组合试验设计,建立评价指标与试验参数之间的回归模型,并运用目标优化的方法对模型进行优化。研究结果表明,试验样机能够实现混合物组分的按类分选,试验因素组合为含水率87.8%,物料流量41.6 L/min,柔性物分离器转速64.5 r/min时可获得最高的柔性杂质分离率;在以上因素情况下,以沉降性杂质分离率及物料损失率作为评价指标,试验得出沉降性杂质分离器的最佳转速为6 r/min。研究为提高畜牧混合废弃物分选装置的分离性能及结构优化提供了依据。     

小型甘蔗收获机切割器试验研究

小型甘蔗收割机切割器必须具有切割功耗(切割扭矩)和切割损失小的特点。通过正交试验，对影响这两个评价指标的切割参数进行单、多因素试验，得出切割参数的主次顺序，即刀盘转速、刀盘倾角、刀刃滑切角。进而采用正交多项式回归分析方法对试验数据进行处理，获得影响这两个评价指标的数学模型。利用该模型对切割参数进行优化，获得切割损失和切割功耗均较小的最佳切割参数组合：刀盘转速为685 r/min，刀盘倾角为9°，刀刃滑切角为26°，从而为小型甘蔗收割机切割器设计提供依据。     

分段螺旋式甘草茎秆揉切装置设计与试验

针对全混合日粮饲草料揉切需求，该研究设计了一种分段螺旋式甘草茎秆揉切装置，对分段螺旋叶片的主体结构和搅龙结构参数进行设计，建立了刃口曲线方程，分析了装置揉切机理，并试制了分段螺旋式甘草茎秆揉切装置试验台。以搅龙转速、加工时间、填充系数、刀片与底壳间隙为因素，以粒度、破节率、单位质量能耗为指标，开展四因素三水平Box-Behnken试验，对试验结果进行方差分析和二次回归拟合，得出各因素对粒度影响显著性由大到小为加工时间、搅龙转速、填充系数、刀片与底壳间隙；对破节率的影响显著性由大到小为加工时间、填充系数、搅龙转速、刀片与底壳间隙；对单位质量能耗的影响显著性由大到小为填充系数、加工时间、搅龙转速、刀片与底壳间隙。对交互影响因素进行响应曲面分析并进行参数优化验证试验，结果表明：当搅龙转速为25 r/min、加工时间为12 min、填充系数为0.46、刀片与底壳间隙为15 mm时，甘草茎秆的揉切粉碎粒度为11.76 mm，破节率为83.27%，此时单位质量能耗为9 959.82 J/kg，试验值与模型理论值误差不超过7%，参数优化模型合理，满足作业要求。研究结果可为全混合日粮搅拌机的研发提供理论依据。     

粗纤维饲料粒度评价装置的试验研究

该文对应用震动筛分法进行粗纤维饲料的粒度评价进行了研究，对可能应用的4种筛组进行了具体的试验。提出了评价颗粒分布均匀性的分布绝对误差的指标，并筛选出最优的颗粒分离筛组——方框冲孔筛组，此筛组按试验研究得出最佳的参数组合为：充满系数0.4～0.6(对全混合日粮充满系数可达0.9～0.95)，筛分时间2～5 min。     

气力集排式变量排肥系统分层施肥量调节装置研制

为提高分层施肥作业中肥料分配的精确性和稳定性,实现化肥按比例分层施用,该文设计了一种气力集排式变量排肥系统分层施肥量调节装置,通过理论分析与参数计算确定了分层施肥量调节装置关键部件的结构和基本工作参数。运用离散元法与计算流体动力学耦合仿真方法,选取拨齿旋转锥的转速、入口风速和施肥速率为试验因素,以各出肥口出肥量的变异系数为试验指标,进行二次旋转正交组合仿真试验,建立了试验指标与影响因素的回归模型。在旋转锥转速735r/min、入口风速36 m/s、施肥速率0.42kg/s、分肥比例1:2条件下,对分层施肥量调节装置进行了台架试验,试验结果表明,各出肥口出肥量变异系数均小于5.18%,分肥比例误差小于2.68%,与仿真试验优化所得结果相吻合,满足施肥作业要求。研究结果可为气力集排式排肥装置的设计与优化提供技术参考与理论支撑。     

立式有机肥螺旋撒肥装置设计与试验

针对有机肥黏度大、流动性差、粘结成块后抛撒困难的问题，该研究设计了一种带撒肥叶片的立式有机肥螺旋撒肥装置。通过建立有机肥在抛撒过程中的运动学模型，对撒肥距离、撒肥幅宽进行分析，确定影响撒肥效果的主要因素。以撒肥均匀度和撒肥幅宽为试验指标，以螺旋轴转速、撒肥圆盘倾斜角度、螺旋叶片螺距为试验因素进行旋转正交试验。运用Design-Expert软件对试验结果进行参数优化，通过验证试验对优化后的参数进行验证，结果表明：当螺旋轴转速为385.0 r/min，撒肥圆盘倾斜角度为16.0°，螺旋叶片螺距为360.0 mm时，撒肥均匀度横向变异系数为14%，撒肥幅宽为8.1 m，满足有机肥撒肥机作业标准及田间作业要求。该研究可为有机肥撒肥机的设计和优化提供参考。     

小粒牧草种子丸粒化包衣数值模拟与试验

针对小粒牧草种子丸粒化包衣时包衣质量不高、丸化合格率较低等问题,该研究采用理论方法,分析种粉颗粒在包衣锅内的运动过程、受力情况,构建种粉颗粒与包衣锅相互作用力学模型,获取影响种子包衣质量的主要因素。利用EDEM软件模拟包衣设备中不同结构参数下物料混合情况,探究结构参数对种粉混合效果的影响,以粉料的变异系数为评价指标,以包衣机甩盘直径、包衣机边缘倾角和包衣机转速为影响因素开展优化试验,得到最优参数组合为包衣机甩盘直径309.9 mm、包衣机边缘倾角61.9°和包衣机转速10.1 r/s。利用搭建的物理试验平台进行种子丸粒化包衣验证试验,结构参数优化后的包衣锅物理试验平均丸化合格率得到提升。进一步优化种子丸粒化包衣质量,探究粘结过程中粉料、药液对丸粒化包衣的影响。对丸粒化包衣机进行工艺参数正交试验,得到最佳工艺参数组合为单次供粉量为10 g、单次供液量为15 mL和包衣时长为7 min。在最优工作结构参数与工艺参数组合下,种子丸粒化包衣试验质量较高,研究结果可为其他不规则种子包衣提供参考。     

全混合日粮混合质量评价指标试验方法的研究

该文利用双轴卧式全混合日粮混合机，对全混合日粮混合质量评价指标的试验方法进行了研究。根据已有的资料，全混合日粮混合质量评价的指标确定为混合均匀度和粒度。在全混合日粮混合均匀度评价指标的测定方法试验中得出，高粱作为示踪物的示踪剂法更简单、合理、可行，而盐分含量分析法稳定性及准确性更好。经对全混合日粮粒度测定方法的试验研究得出，采用振动筛分法进行全混合日粮粒度的测量评价可行，最适宜的评价方法为选用孔径为Ф19 mm、Ф8 mm、Ф5 mm和底盘组成的冲孔筛组，用SSZ-750型振动筛分机筛分100 g样品5 min，然后分析各层筛面上物料比例即可进行粒度评价。     

再生稻促芽追肥机研制

再生稻再生季促芽肥的用量较小,因此对排肥器排量准确性和排肥均匀性具有较高要求。现有再生稻追肥机械较难满足再生稻促芽肥追施准确性和均匀性要求的问题。该研究综合槽轮排肥器和齿式排肥器的优点,结合具有较好分气性能的导流板式分气装置,设计了一种可与再生稻收割机配合使用的气力式再生稻促芽追肥机。追肥机采用两级排肥器进行排肥,主要由上方槽轮与下方多组齿式排肥轮组成。首先根据常用促芽肥外形尺寸确定了两级排肥器中槽轮、齿式排肥轮的主要结构参数,然后通过理论计算结合离散元仿真试验,确定了槽轮与齿式排肥轮转速的最佳传动比为1∶1.8,此时排肥器排肥最均匀,断条现象发生较少,肥料无堆积。对分气装置进行仿真模拟试验发现,随着导流板开口角度的增大,各排气口流速一致性变异系数先降低后增大,当开口角度为48°时,变异系数最小,为5.65%,此时分气装置各排气口流速差异最小、分气效果最优,各排气口平均风速为19.37 m/s,满足设计要求。对两级排肥器进行离散元仿真试验发现,在10～20 r/min转速范围内,各排肥口排肥量一致性变异系数随转速的增大先减小后增大,最大值为2.57%,满足施肥标准中各行排肥量一致性变异系数小于7%的要求。最后,以小粒径尿素为试验材料,以排肥槽轮转速为试验因素,以排肥速率、各行排肥量变异系数、排肥均匀性变异系数为评价指标,进行样机排肥性能试验。结果表明：在10～20 r/min转速范围内,排肥速率随排肥槽轮转速的增加而增大,排肥速率变化范围为672.9～1447.6 g/min,可与收割机作业速度相匹配;各行排肥量一致性变异系数为2.14%～3.09%,各排肥口排量均匀性变异系数为20.99%～27.01%,均满足NY/T1003-2006追肥机械作业标准要求。研究结果可为再生稻追肥机设计提供重要参考。     

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.