加工工艺对油茶籽油氧化稳定性及酚类物质含量的影响

为了探究加工工艺对油茶籽油营养品质的影响,了解油酚类物质在加工工艺中的变化规律,该文从油茶籽油加工企业的生产线中取样,对压榨毛油和浸出毛油精炼工艺以及压榨毛油适度精炼工艺等不同工艺中油茶籽油中总酚、多酚组成及含量、抗氧化活性系数和油的氧化诱导时间等指标进行了测定。压榨毛油精炼工艺包括水洗、脱色、脱臭、冬化;浸出毛油精炼工艺包括碱炼、水洗、脱色、脱臭、冬化;压榨毛油适度精炼工艺包括脱胶、碱炼、水洗、冬化等工艺步骤。结果显示:压榨油茶籽毛油中总酚平均质量分数为103.06μg/g,显著高于浸出油茶籽油48.52μg/g(P0.05);油茶籽毛油经过精炼工艺后总酚和总酚的抗氧化活性均呈现下降趋势,三种精炼工艺后油茶籽油中总酚分别下降了88.9%,86.7%和63.81%,总酚的抗氧化活性分别下降了88.3%,93.51%和83.25%。适度精炼相比普通精炼对于保留油茶籽油中的多酚有明显优势,前者精炼后油茶籽油中总酚及其抗氧化活性系数分别为37.82μg/g和9.33%,后者仅为11.41μg/g和4.71%。通过高效液相色谱测定发现,浸出油茶籽毛油精炼后仅含有少量肉桂酸,压榨毛油传统精炼后压榨油茶籽油中测到苯甲酸、芦丁和肉桂酸等3种多酚的质量分数分别为4.7、1.58和0.22μg/g,压榨毛油适度精炼后的油茶籽油中测到了单宁酸、绿原酸、表儿茶素等9种多酚,其中单宁酸和绿原酸的质量分数最高,分别为4.57和3.26μg/g;适度精炼后油茶籽油氧化诱导时间从初始的8.56 h增加到11.66 h,增加了26.63%;压榨毛油传统精炼后油茶籽油氧化诱导时间从8.14 h增加到10.42 h,增加了21.83%。研究结果表明,压榨毛油适度精炼相比传统精炼工艺对于保留油茶籽油中多酚等成分有明显优势,所生产的茶油具有更强的氧化稳定性。研究结果为油茶籽油中营养成分的保留提供了途径,为油茶籽油加工工艺选择提供参考。     

精炼工艺对亚麻籽油中反式酸含量的影响

本课题以含55%亚麻酸的压榨亚麻籽油为原料,研究亚麻籽油在精炼过程中油脂品质和反式酸含量的变化规律。结果表明,化学精炼和物理精炼工艺都能将亚麻籽毛油酸价由3.8mgKOH/g脱到0.3mgKOH/g以下;化学精炼过程亚麻籽油中反式酸含量变化由0.2%上升到0.4%;物理精炼过程亚麻油中反式酸含量变化比较明显,脱色后亚麻油反式酸含量为0.27%;在温度200℃,绝对压力10-50pa条件下亚麻油精炼脱酸,4h时亚麻油反式酸含量为0.91%,8h时反式酸含量为1.73%。另外研究表明,化学精炼过程亚麻油的过氧化值变化不大,经精炼后成品油过氧化值为4.1mmol/kg;物理脱酸过程中亚麻油的过氧化值缓慢增加,在200℃脱酸6h时,过氧化值为6mmol/kg以下。     

高酸值米糠油酯化脱酸成生物柴油原料

为充分利用高酸值米糠毛油,将其脱酸成生物柴油原料。采用酯化脱酸方法,通过对多种酯化脱酸催化剂的比较,结果表明氧化锌具有较强的催化活性。氧化锌作为米糠油酯化脱酸的催化剂,分别考察了甘油添加量、催化剂添加量、反应温度、反应时间对酯化脱酸的影响。得到了以下较优工艺参数：真空度为0.1 MPa,甘油添加量为理论甘油量1.044 g,催化剂添加量为油质量的0.1%,反应温度200℃,反应时间6 h。在此优化条件下,米糠油的酸值从38.14 mg/g降至5.17 mg/g,满足了作为生物柴油生产原料的要求。     

牡丹籽油提取工艺与精炼工艺的优化

为高效利用牡丹籽油,以牡丹籽油的各项理化性质为指标,通过单因素试验分析不同浸提溶剂、浸提时间、料液比、浸提温度和粉碎粒度等因素对牡丹籽油提取率的影响,在此基础上利用响应面分析方法对牡丹籽油的提取工艺进行优化;同时对牡丹籽油进行精炼,测定牡丹籽精炼油的各项理化指标并进行主成分分析,以确定牡丹籽油的最佳精炼工艺。结果表明,牡丹籽油提取的最佳工艺条件为:有机溶剂石油醚、浸提温度57℃、浸提时间5 h、料液比1∶11、粉碎粒度40目。在精制过程中分别加入4%沸水、8%碱液和2%活性白土,得到的精炼油磷脂含量、过氧化值、碘值及酸值分别为8.37 mg·100g^-1、2.48 meq·kg^-1、160.85 g·100 g^-1、0.37 mg NaOH·g^-1,牡丹籽油过活性碳柱后其精炼得率达21.37%。本研究结果为牡丹籽油的工业化生产提供了更优的工艺路线。     

超临界CO2流体萃取海滨锦葵籽油的工艺条件优化

为了提高海滨锦葵籽的利用价值,开发生物柴油新原料,该文以海滨锦葵籽为原料,利用超临界CO2流体萃取技术提取海滨锦葵籽油。通过单因素试验及正交试验研究了萃取压力、萃取温度、CO2流量和萃取时间等因素对油脂得率的影响,确定了超临界CO2流体萃取技术提取海滨锦葵籽油的最佳工艺条件。结果表明,在试验范围内各影响因素对海滨锦葵籽油得率作用的大小依次为：萃取压力＞萃取温度＞CO2流量＞萃取时间。超临界CO2流体萃取技术提取海滨锦葵籽油的最佳工艺参数为：萃取压力25 MPa,萃取温度45℃,CO2流量21 kg/h,萃取时间为100 min,在该工艺条件下萃取3次,海滨锦葵籽油得率达到19.35%。     

茶叶籽贮藏时间对毛油产率与质量的影响

为了揭示茶叶籽贮藏时间对发酵法茶叶籽毛油产率与质量的影响,每2周从贮藏的茶叶籽中取样,利用茶叶籽油发酵法生产工艺进行茶叶籽毛油生产,并对工艺中各项剩余物的含油量及毛油的重要质量指标进行了测定,结果如下。室温条件下,茶叶籽贮藏47周后,毛油产率下降了23.5%、酸值及过氧化值分别升高了44.88%及69.4%,毛油色泽基本没有变化。滤渣、发酵沉淀的质量分别升高了20.27%及23.35%;淀粉、油渣质量分别降低了6.13%及3.64%。滤渣、发酵沉淀、淀粉及油渣含油率分别升高了15.63%、22.77%、206%及12.88%。发酵沉淀质量对毛油产率的影响是正向的,淀粉、油渣及滤渣质量对毛油产率的影响是负向的;发酵沉淀及滤渣含油率对毛油产率的影响是正向的,淀粉及油渣含油量对毛油产率的影响是负向的,影响大小的排序为:油渣淀粉滤渣发酵沉淀。综合分析表明,滤渣是通过滤渣质量的增加导致毛油产率随贮藏时间下降的,其下降作用的贡献占全部下降因素的79.28%。贮藏47周后的茶叶籽仁,利用发酵法生产工艺仍然具有毛油生产价值。该研究可为茶叶籽油合理生产提供理论支撑。     

超临界CO2萃取毛竹笋油的工艺及产品成分

为优化超临界CO2萃取毛竹笋油的工艺参数,该研究通过单因素试验和正交试验考察了萃取压力、萃取温度、萃取时间和CO2流量等因素对毛竹笋油得率的影响,并利用气质联用（GC-MS）对毛竹笋油进行成分分析。研究确定超临界CO2萃取毛竹笋油的较佳工艺为：萃取压力25 MPa、萃取温度55℃、萃取时间2.5 h和CO2流量15 L/h,较佳工艺条件下笋油得率为5.74%;GC-MS分析毛竹笋油,共鉴定出17种组分,其中β-谷甾醇、9,12-十八碳二烯酸和9,12,15-十八碳三烯酸的相对含量分别为26.00%、10.50%和9.83%。     

乙醇水溶液提取玉米胚芽油的工艺优化

为了解决水酶法提取玉米胚芽油生产成本高、提取时间长的缺点,该文采用乙醇水溶液作为提取剂提取玉米胚芽油。通过对粒径、料液比、温度、乙醇体积分数、p H值和时间等条件对油在油相、水相和渣相中分布的研究发现,物料粒径和乙醇体积分数对提高清油得率具有显著(P0.05)的影响,而提取时间对清油得率的影响最小(P0.05)。在单因素试验的基础上通过正交试验,得出乙醇水溶液提取玉米胚芽油的最佳工艺参数为:物料细粉4次(此时粒径为49.18μm)、料液比1∶7 g/m L、温度70℃、乙醇体积分数30%、p H值9.0、提取时间2 h。在该条件下,清油的得率为94.05%±0.32%,水相含油量为3.49%±0.77%,渣相含油量为2.55%±0.82%。分析乙醇水溶液提取的玉米胚芽毛油酸价、过氧化值和含水率等指标发现,该毛油的质量优于国标规定的玉米原油,并且和压榨一级成品油指标接近,只需要经过简单精炼就可以达到食用油要求。研究结果为乙醇水溶液工业化生产玉米胚芽油提供参考。     

黑莓籽油的超临界萃取及脂肪酸成分分析

为了获得高品质保健油脂,采用超临界CO2萃取黑莓籽油,以气相色谱-质谱（GC-MS）对黑莓籽油脂肪酸成分进行分析。样品最佳粉碎粒度60目,超临界CO2萃取适宜工艺条件为：萃取压力20 MPa,分离罐压力10 MPa,萃取罐温度45℃,萃取时间30 min,萃取得率为(17.73±0.19)%。GC-MS检测结果显示黑莓籽油中含有丰富的不饱和脂肪酸,尤其是亚油酸、油酸、亚麻酸,质量分数分别为58.04%、11.76%、8.38%,占总脂肪酸的78.18%。研究结果为黑莓籽的综合开发加工利用提供了参考。     

老化漂白紫胶的碱法再生工艺优化

研究旨在为老化漂白紫胶的回收与再利用提供技术支撑和科学依据。该文采用碱法再生技术,通过单因素试验及双响应值优化法,建立了老化漂白紫胶可控水解的回归模型,并求得老化漂白紫胶碱法再生的最优工艺条件:在90℃条件下,以浓度为0.3 mol/L的Na OH按照液料比为14:1 m L/g、水解时间1.84 h,再生漂白紫胶得率为76.1%±0.5%,热乙醇不溶物可达0.360%±0.030%。再生漂白紫胶热乙醇不溶物、冷乙醇可溶物、热寿命等均达到国标要求,分别为0.360%、92.6%、9.80 min;其中颜色指数为1.68,达到了普通漂白胶2级标准;但酸值升高到178 mg/g、软化点降低至44.5℃。结果表明,采取碱法再生技术回收老化漂白紫胶是可行的。     

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.