物料沿抛送叶片的运动仿真与高速摄像分析

为了揭示物料运动规律与叶片式抛送装置功耗及抛送效率之间的关系,从而降低叶片式抛送装置功耗、提高抛送效率,采用理论分析、虚拟样机技术与高速摄像技术相结合的方法对物料沿抛送叶片的运动进行研究。建立了适合前倾、后倾及径向叶片的物料沿抛送叶片运动的动力学模型及ADAMS模型,为了综合考虑气流对物料以及物料间的相互作用引入当量摩擦系数,通过与高速摄像试验数据进行回归分析得到当量摩擦系数的值,进而对动力学模型及ADAMS模型进行了修正。通过分析功耗及抛送效率与物料运动规律之间的关系,获得了物料最佳抛出角范围约为60°～130°。该研究为叶片式抛送装置参数优化提供了参考。     

秸秆粉碎后抛式多功能免耕播种机秸秆输送装置改进

针对秸秆粉碎后抛式多功能免耕播种机秸秆输送装置存在的功耗高、易堵塞的问题,设计并分析了抛送管道改进结构,在此基础上以比功耗和抛送速度为目标函数,运用Box-Benhnken的中心组合试验方法对洁区播种机秸秆输送装置的工作参数进行了试验研究,以抛送叶轮转速、喂入量和抛送管道截面积作为影响因素进行三因素三水平二次回归正交试验设计。建立了响应面数学模型,分析了各因素对作业质量的影响,同时,利用Design-Expert软件对影响因素进行了综合优化。试验结果表明:各因素对秸秆输送性能有较大影响,比功耗影响因素显著顺序依次为抛送叶轮转速、抛送管道截面积、喂入量;抛送速度影响因素显著顺序依次为抛送叶轮转速、抛送管道截面积、喂入量;最优参数组合为抛送转速2 270 r/min,喂入量1.3 kg/s,管道截面积507 cm~2,对应的比功耗和抛送速度分别为7 980 m~2/s~2、11.7 m/s,且各评价指标与其理论优化值的相对误差均小于5%。研究结果可为秸秆粉碎后抛式多功能免耕播种机秸秆输送装置的结构完善设计与参数优化提供依据。     

盘刀式铡草机粉碎物料运动过程分析与试验

为了探究盘刀式铡草机粉碎物料的抛送运动规律,该研究在综合考虑抛送装置与前端装置的参数匹配及气流对物料的影响下,将物料抛送运动过程分为7个阶段,通过分析物料在各个阶段的运动及受力情况,建立了物料从切碎到与叶片碰撞、物料沿抛送叶片运动、沿抛送直管和弯管运动以及物料被抛出出料口后的动力学模型。以动力学模型为基础,建立了数值计算模型。根据实测的铡草机与物料相关数据,确定了仿真模型参数,以物料的抛送距离为评价指标,分析了主轴转速和叶片倾角对抛送性能的影响。研究结果表明,在试验范围内,抛送距离随着主轴转速的增大而近似线性增大;随着叶片倾角的增大,抛送距离呈先增大后减小的趋势,且后倾叶片的抛送距离大于前倾叶片,后倾叶片更有利于物料运动。抛送距离试验得到的结果与理论仿真结果一致,最大相对误差为6.6%,验证了动力学模型的合理性。动力学模型的建立为进一步优化抛送装置结构和运动参数及其与前端装置的匹配提供理论指导。     

后掠式叶片轴流泵固液两相流数值模拟与优化

针对轴流叶轮在污水固液两相流介质中的磨损问题,该文设计了不同后掠式叶轮结构方案进行优化设计,分别对后掠角度为40°、65°、90°的后掠叶片和原型叶片进行固液两相流数值模拟和试验对比,并分析了不同后掠方案叶轮内固体颗粒的分布特性。数值模拟结果表明,随着后掠角度的增加,叶片压力面固相体积分数会逐渐减少,而叶片吸力面上固相体积分数会先增加后减小,叶轮内固相的径向流动越明显并且叶片后掠角度越大,固相就越难与叶片压力面接触,而越易与叶片吸力面接触;颗粒直径越大,后掠叶片压力面上固相体积分数越大,而叶片吸力面进口边靠近轮毂处的固相体积分数增加;颗粒浓度越大,后掠叶片压力面上固相体积分数减少,叶片吸力面上固相体积分数增加。当优化后的后掠叶片角为90°时,该叶片结构优化了固体颗粒的分布,可大幅降低叶片轮缘处的磨损,提高了轴流叶轮在污水介质中的使用寿命和运行可靠性。     

秸秆抛送装置外壳振动辐射噪声数值模拟与试验验证

针对目前秸秆抛送装置抛送叶轮扰动空气及物料引发噪声的原因尚不清楚,为了在秸秆揉碎机设计阶段估算其抛送装置的振动辐射噪声,首先采用计算流体力学CFD方法对秸秆抛送装置内部的气-固非定常流场做了整场瞬态数值模拟,将作用在外壳表面的气流和物料脉动压力加载给抛送装置外壳模型,并采用有限元方法对外壳进行了模态分析及动力响应分析,实现了从气-固两相流体到结构的单向耦合;将抛送装置外壳振动响应作为声学边界条件,利用LMS VirtualLab的间接边界元Indirect Boundary Element Method声振耦合模块计算了非定常流动引起的外壳振动辐射噪声,并进行了试验验证.数值计算与实测声压级变化趋势相同;辐射噪声最大的基频100 Hz处个别测点仿真声压级较实测值高2.28 dB(A),其余测点的仿真与试验值相差不到1.5 dB(A),结果表明理论分析和数值仿真的可靠性.基于上述方法,比较分析了外壳壁厚对振动辐射噪声的影响.研究结果表明:对应确定的激励频率,存在较合理的外壳壁厚尺寸组合.叶轮转速为1 500 r/min时,较优壁厚为圆形外壳前后侧板壁厚4mm,其余壁厚为3mm的尺寸组合,声功率级为78.07 dB(A),满足饲草揉碎机噪声限值90dB(A)的国家标准要求.该研究可为秸秆揉碎机及叶片式抛送装置低噪声设计研究提供参考.     

秸秆抛送装置抛送叶轮的振动特性分析

针对叶片式秸秆抛送装置工作时的振动、噪声以及叶片疲劳断裂等问题,为减少共振的发生,利用有限元分析软件ABAQUS对抛送叶轮的自由模态与预应力模态进行了数值计算,其中预应力模态采用单向流固耦合方法对流场和叶轮结构响应进行求解,获得了该系统的前12阶模态频率以及振型,并利用扫描式激光测振仪对抛送叶轮进行了模态试验,验证了理论分析和数值计算的准确性。在分析了系统外部激振频率特点的基础上,对影响叶轮振动特性的结构参数进行了对比模拟。研究结果表明:预应力使叶轮的1和2阶频率提高幅度较大,对振型没有影响;叶片数对模态频率和振型影响最大,叶轮是否加筋对频率的影响其次,叶片厚度对低阶频率影响最小;三叶片叶轮最不易发生共振,四叶片次之,五叶片最易发生共振;叶片厚度为4 mm时最不易发生共振,5 mm时次之,6 mm时最易发生共振;叶轮加筋可以改善其动态性能,不易发生共振。该研究可为叶片式抛送装置结构振动特性的描述及动态性能的优化提供参考。     

基于Mixture多相流模型计算双流道泵全流道内固液两相湍流

采用Mixture多相流模型、扩展的标准k-ε湍流模型与SIMPLEC算法,应用计算流体力学软件Fluent对双流道泵全流道内的固液两相湍流进行了数值模拟,并将计算结果与清水单相流数值模拟及泵外特性性能试验进行了对比,揭示了不同粒径及颗粒体积浓度条件下双流道泵全流道内的固液两相流动规律.研究结果表明:在叶轮流道内,固相体积浓度分布极不均匀,颗粒主要集中于叶轮出口处的工作面和后盖板上,但是随着颗粒浓度和粒径的减小,会出现颗粒向背面迁移的趋势;在蜗壳流道内,颗粒主要集中于靠近蜗壳出口侧的流道区域,颗粒运动轨迹紊乱,少部分颗粒脱离叶轮后能直接从蜗壳出口流出,大部分颗粒撞击蜗壳壁面,留在蜗壳内转动数圈才能流出;颗粒浓度变化对固相的离析作用影响相对较小;粒径变化对固相的离析作用影响较大,粒径越大,颗粒撞击点愈加集中于叶轮工作面,固相的离析作用越明显;相同体积流量下,泵进出口总压差随颗粒浓度和粒径的增加而减小.     

叶片式秸秆抛送装置功耗分析与参数优化

为了降低叶片式抛送装置功耗、提高抛送效率,该文采用理论分析与试验研究相结合的方法建立了考虑气流影响的、适合各种叶片倾角的叶片式抛送装置功耗数学模型,并利用虚拟样机进行优化,以抛送功耗最小为目标函数,对抛送装置结构参数、运动参数进行参数化分析.结果表明,叶轮外径700 mm、转速650~2000 r/min时,采用径向叶片、转速为650 r/min时比功耗最小.通过参数化分析得到不同工况时叶片式抛送装置结构参数与运动参数的最佳配置,为实际叶片式抛送装置的设计生产提供较精确的理论依据,并对节能降耗有着重要的现实意义.     

速度矩分布规律的参数化描述及对混流泵性能的影响

为提升设计水平、改进混流泵叶片速度矩分布规律的给定,该文通过理论分析,对速度矩分布规律进行参数化表述,选取无量纲速度矩沿流线分布曲线的相对系数a0与速度矩分布曲线在叶片出口处的导数值P作为速度矩分布参数。基于混流泵叶轮正反问题迭代法设计平台,给定不同速度矩分布参数组合设计了一系列混流泵叶轮。基于SIMPLEC算法,通过求解N-S方程和RNGk-ε湍流模型方程,对混流泵叶轮内部三维湍流流场进行了模拟,获得了相对速度与压力分布,并预估了水力效率。研究表明,速度矩分布参数直接影响着叶片包角与出口边位置,进而影响到叶轮内部相对速度与压力的分布以及流动的稳定性。合理选择速度矩分布参数,有利于增强叶片对于流体运动的控制能力,改善叶轮内部压力分布,使叶轮具有更为优越的水力特性。该文提出的速度矩分布规律参数化方法,为混流泵叶轮设计过程中速度矩分布规律的给定提供了有益的借鉴。     

半喂入式花生摘果试验台设计与试验

为深入开展半喂入式花生摘果装置作业机理、结构参数和作业参数优化等研究,设计了自动喂秧平台、控制系统、参数调节系统和保鲜库,选配高速摄像系统,并与已有试验台进行技术集成,研制成半喂入式花生摘果试验台.该试验台具备关键参数调节和采集、作业过程图像获取和植株保鲜等功能,主要包括机架、自动喂秧平台、夹持输送装置、摘果装置、控制系统、传感器、变频电机和高速摄影系统等.试验台的主要技术指标为:摘果辊长度500,800,1000mm,摘果辊直径160,200,240mm,摘果辊后端中心与夹持输送链的距离100~150mm,摘果辊的转速200~1000r/min,夹持输送链的速度0.5~2.5m/s.在试验台上,对前期尚未涉及的供给株数、链辊夹角等因素、摘果辊功耗等进行了试验研究,开展了摘果过程高速摄影试验研究.结果表明:供给株数对未摘净率和破碎率影响较大;链辊夹角对未摘净损失影响较大,对破碎率影响较小;摘果功耗随着供给株数的增大呈递增规律;高速摄像系统能够揭示摘果叶片与花生果系的作用过程、果秧分离行为和内在机理.该半喂入式花生摘果试验台可为进一步深入开展摘果作业机理研究提供参考.     

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.