几种淀粉的糊化特性及力学稳定性(简报)

为探索淀粉糊化的力学稳定性,以不同来源淀粉为原料,采用快速黏度分析仪于不同搅拌速度下,研究外力作用对淀粉糊化特性的影响,为淀粉质食品的品质控制提供依据。结果表明,不同来源淀粉的黏度曲线及其力学稳定性有差异。以小麦淀粉的糊化温度最低;马铃薯淀粉糊的黏度和温度稳定性最大;马铃薯和莲子淀粉的峰值黏度较高,冷糊稳定性好;莲子淀粉的热糊稳定性差;玉米淀粉糊易于老化。外力作用对淀粉糊的黏度曲线有影响。较强的外力作用后,会导致淀粉糊的强度、黏度和糊化温度降低,改善热糊稳定性和冷糊稳定性。淀粉糊化的力学稳定性与其颗粒强度有关,较大颗粒强度的淀粉的力学稳定性较好。     

气流粉碎对玉米淀粉结构及理化性质的影响

为研究气流粉碎对玉米淀粉结构及理化性质的影响,该文以普通玉米淀粉为原料,通过流化床气流粉碎处理,采用扫描电子显微镜、偏光显微镜、粒度分析仪、X-射线衍射仪、红外光谱仪、差示扫描量热仪、快速黏度分析仪等分析手段研究经微细化处理前后玉米淀粉颗粒形貌、晶体结构、热力学特性、糊化特性、溶解度和膨胀度、冻融稳定性、持水能力等结构及性质的变化。结果表明,微细化处理后,淀粉颗粒形变的不规则,粒径明显减小,中位径(D50)由14.37μm减小到5.25μm,偏光十字减少,相对结晶度由33.43%降低至15.46%,淀粉颗粒结晶结构被破坏,由多晶态向无定形态转变,粉碎过程淀粉无新的基团产生;热焓值、糊化温度均降低,热糊稳定性好;溶解度、膨胀度均升高,持水能力增加,冻融稳定性好,产生较好的热糊稳定性和冷糊力学稳定性,该研究为玉米淀粉的深度加工与应用提供了理论依据及技术支撑。     

红花甜荞籽粒淀粉的理化特性

为明确红花甜荞籽粒淀粉理化特性,选用12个红花甜荞品种为材料,分析了其淀粉颗粒形态、粒度分布特征、直链淀粉含量、溶解度、透明度及糊化特性以及品种间差异。结果表明,红花甜荞淀粉颗粒多为不规则多角形和球形,多角形多且颗粒较大,球形颗粒较少且颗粒小,淀粉粒径范围介于0.38～25.78 μm;品种间淀粉粒径、直链淀粉含量、溶解度、透明度存在显著性差异（P＜0.05）;起始糊化温度在62.80～72.60℃,峰值黏度在126.58～141.00 RU;品种间谷值黏度、最终黏度、破损值、回生值和峰值时间差异显著。定边甜荞谷值黏度大,为118.00 RU;破损值及回生值小,分别为13.00和57.33 RU;达到峰值时间最长,达5.80 min;淀粉糊稳定性好。因此,在进行优质专用品种选育和产品加工时,应根据不同目标选择不同的甜荞品种。     

超高压处理对太白葛根淀粉理化特性的影响

采用超高压技术对太白葛根淀粉进行处理，研究超高压处理对太白葛根淀粉理化特性的影响。试验结果表明，超高压处理对太白葛根淀粉的颗粒大小和形态没有明显影响。超高压处理可使太白葛根淀粉糊的透明度明显增大，淀粉糊的冻融稳定性降低，提高太白葛根淀粉糊黏度对pH值的稳定性，但对其糊化黏度特性的影响不明显。300 MPa高压处理可改善太白葛根淀粉的理化特性。     

不同介质条件对银杏淀粉糊流变特性的影响

淀粉糊流变特性是影响淀粉类食品加工品质的主要因素。该文采用布拉班德尔黏度计，考察不同介质条件如浓度、pH值、蔗糖和食盐对银杏淀粉糊黏度特性的影响。银杏淀粉糊的布拉班德尔黏度测定结果表明：随着银杏淀粉糊浓度增加,其起糊温度降低，峰值黏度增高，热稳定性、冷稳定性下降，凝沉性增强；60 g/kg银杏淀粉糊黏度性质受酸碱介质的影响较大，在pH值中性7左右，其淀粉糊黏度热稳定性最好，凝沉性最强，但冷稳定性最差；食品介质蔗糖对60 g/kg银杏淀粉糊黏度曲线影响较大，其淀粉起糊温度、峰值黏度随蔗糖浓度增加而增加，淀粉糊黏度的冷稳定性、热稳定性均降低，凝沉性增强；而食盐影响较小。该结果对银杏淀粉类食品深加工开发具有较大的指导意义。     

玉米淀粉糊的流变学特性分析

利用生物显微镜分析系统观察玉米淀粉颗粒的外形及结构,并利用旋转黏度计研究了不同玉米淀粉乳制备淀粉糊的流变性能,根据其流变性能数据非线性回归得到淀粉糊在不同温度下的流变模型.研究结果表明:在试验中所设的剪切速率范围内,淀粉糊的剪切应力均是随着剪切速率的增加而增大;且在同一剪切速率同一温度下,淀粉与水的比值越大,淀粉糊所受的剪切应力就越大;相同比例淀粉乳形成的淀粉糊在同一剪切速率下,随着温度的升高而剪切应力减小;玉米淀粉糊属于屈服-假塑性流体,模型的拟合相关系数γ2在0.990～1.000之间,说明屈服-假塑性流体模犁能有效地表征玉米淀粉糊的流变性能.淀粉糊的流变学特性研究为进一步淀粉胶黏剂的开发及利用提供了理论和试验依据.     

甘薯淀粉糊与绿豆淀粉糊流变行为的共性与区别

淀粉糊在粉丝加工中作为黏结剂，它的流变特性是粉团搅拌、形成、漏粉和定型的关键因素。本研究通过对甘薯淀粉糊和绿豆淀粉糊在不同浓度、温度、剪切速率和升温扫描过程中的流变行为的考察和分析比较，表明两种淀粉糊有触变共性，在流变曲线图上都呈现出不同滞后面积大小的开口型滞后回路，用Cross方程拟合精度比幂律方程高；用Arrhenius方程描述两者都具有温度敏感性。两者的区别在于：甘薯淀粉糊在各条件下的滞后面积比绿豆淀粉糊小，说明在粉团形成中甘薯淀粉糊的持续增黏效果高于绿豆淀粉糊；虽然绿豆淀粉糊的零剪切黏度值比甘薯淀粉糊要低，但在浓度较低(≤8%)时，两者差别不大，因此用甘薯淀粉糊替代绿豆淀粉糊是可行的。     

氮、磷和钾营养对优质玉米子粒产量和营养品质的影响

施用氮、磷和钾营养对优质玉米子粒产量和营养品质有明显的影响。氮磷钾营养平衡施用(NPK)较不施氮(PK)、不施磷(NK)和不施钾(NP)显著增加优质玉米产量,使高油玉米(农大115)分别增产15.9%、6.9%和12.1%,使高淀粉玉米(白玉109)依次增产20.3%、8.6%和12.7%。施氮能增加高油和高淀粉玉米子粒蛋白质、醇溶蛋白和清蛋白含量;施磷或施钾能增加高油玉米子粒蛋白质、醇溶蛋白和清蛋白含量以及氨基酸和必需氨基酸含量,而对高淀粉玉米子粒蛋白质及其组分含量基本无或较小影响。施氮使高油玉米子粒氨基酸和必需氨基酸含量提高0.83和0.41个百分点,使高淀粉玉米提高1.18和0.36个百分点;施氮、施磷和施钾增加高油和高淀粉玉米淀粉总量和支链淀粉含量,降低直链淀粉含量。施氮能增加高油和高淀粉玉米子粒油分、亚油酸和油酸含量,使高油玉米分别增加0.83、0.41和0.30个百分点,使高淀粉玉米分别增加0.34、0.18和0.13个百分点,而施磷或施钾对两品种子粒油分、亚油酸和油酸含量的影响不明显。     

不同中薯系列马铃薯淀粉组成与理化性质的差异分析

为分析不同品种马铃薯淀粉组成与理化性质的差异,本研究以15个不同品种中薯系列马铃薯为原料提取淀粉,并对其组成和理化性质进行了检测及相关性分析。光学显微镜和扫描电镜结果表明,马铃薯淀粉颗粒的粒径分布范围广,颗粒形貌存在差异,小颗粒多为卵圆形,大颗粒多为椭圆形、拉长形以及不规则形。不同马铃薯淀粉的理化性质存在显著差异,其溶解度、膨润力范围分别为25.92%~28.74%,4.90~6.26 g·g^-1;糊化初始温度(T_o)、峰值温度(T_p)、终止温度(T_c)、糊化焓值(ΔH)范围分别为61.44~65.55℃、64.49~68.69℃、67.87~72.54℃、7.21~13.49 J·g^-1;峰值黏度、衰减值、回生值范围分别为2 499.3~3 220.4、514.0~2 218.4、401.0~884.1 BU。相关性分析结果表明,马铃薯淀粉中磷含量与峰谷黏度呈显著正相关,与溶解度呈显著负相关;平均粒径D[4,3]与短程有序参数1 045/1 022 cm^-1 和1 022/995 cm^-1均呈显著正相关;T_o与峰值黏度呈显著负相关;糊化温度与峰值黏度和崩解值均呈显著负相关,与峰谷黏度、最终黏度和回生值均呈显著正相关。本研究结果可为中薯系列马铃薯淀粉在食品加工中的应用提供科学依据。     

均质压力对玉米淀粉机械力化学效应的影响

为了研究均质压力对玉米淀粉微观结构及理化性质的影响,该文以玉米淀粉为原料,通过X-射线衍射(X-ray diffraction,XRD)、扫描电镜(scanning electron microscope,SEM)、快速黏性分析仪(rapid visco analyser,RVA)、偏光显微镜(polarizing microscope,PLM)、激光共聚焦显微镜(confocal laser scanning microscopy,CLSM)等手段研究不同压力(20、60、100、140 MPa)下淀粉结构及性质变化,并探究其相互关系,揭示均质压力对淀粉颗粒机械力化学效应。结果表明:均质压力处理对玉米淀粉结构及性质产生显著影响。经20~140 MPa处理后,与原淀粉相比,中央腔及孔道结构模糊,粒径、糊化黏度减小,结晶度下降,水溶指数和透光率呈上升趋势。20~100 MPa范围内,随均质压力增大,淀粉颗粒形貌逐渐破坏,球状凸起结构增加,100 MPa处理时中心球体最为明显,且与60 MPa相比,结晶度变大,膨胀度显著下降。当140 MPa处理时,颗粒内部球状凸起、碎片及孔洞结构显著减少,偏光十字破坏,糊化焓降低。可见不同均质压力对淀粉颗粒的无定形区、亚结晶区和结晶区产生不同程度的机械力化学作用,导致淀粉颗粒内部依次发生了聚集和团聚效应。该结果为研究淀粉化学活性及生产高性能变性淀粉提供理论支撑。     

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.