乙醇对柴油均质压燃燃烧特性影响的模拟

为改善柴油均质压燃燃烧和排放,该文利用多区模型研究了掺混乙醇来控制以柴油为燃料的均质压燃(homogeneous charge compression ignition,HCCI)内燃机的着火时刻。数值模拟计算了掺混乙醇对放热率、最大压力升高率及排放的影响。从化学动力学角度分析了添加乙醇对柴油低温氧化反应中起重要作用的一些中间活性基OH、CH2O、H2O2的影响。结果表明,随乙醇掺混量的增加,低温放热和主燃烧始点均有延迟,当量比为0.3掺混乙醇物质的量为57%时,两者分别延迟2.4°和6.3°。同时最大压力升高率降低,但过多的添加乙醇会导致相同当量比下平均指示压力减小,最高可降低11.6%。较大当量比下掺混少量的乙醇可拓展柴油HCCI的高负荷极限。乙醇的添加有效降低了高负荷下缸内的压力升高率,降低了排放中的CO和氮氧化物。     

柴油机燃用水乳化柴油着火时刻的化学动力学特性

以4100QBZL-2型增压直喷柴油机为研究对象,利用美国劳伦斯利弗莫尔国家实验室(LLNL)的正庚烷第三版详细模型进行化学动力学计算,对被测发动机上燃用纯柴油,体积分数为:10%。、20%、30%的水乳化柴油时缸内的着火时刻进行模拟研究,并将化学动力学计算结果与试验结果及计算流体力学与正庚烷简化模型(CFD-SKLE)的耦合计算结果进行对比分析。研究结果表明:水乳化柴油所引起的着火时刻延迟是由于乳化燃料中的水分在缸内的物理现象所引起。从化学动力学的角度来分析,乳化燃料内的水分可以促进H、O、OH、HO2等自由基在低温反应(冷焰)阶段的大量生成,为随后的高温(热焰)反应提供了条件,最终使着火时刻提前。通过对掺水后正庚烷氧化反应的敏感性分析可知,水分会在正庚烷氧化的低温反应时期对过氧烷基的异构化过程与过氧化氢酮的分解过程产生了促进作用,从而加速正庚烷氧化的链式反应的进行。     

射流控制压缩着火发动机不同负荷下燃烧及排放特性

针对柴油预混合气着火相位难以直接控制的问题,提出射流控制压缩着火(jet controlled compression ignition,JCCI)方式。将一台单缸农用柴油机改造为JCCI发动机:压缩比降至12,增加一个带液化石油气(liquefied petroleum gas,LPG)供给通道和火花塞的点火室,并进行了JCCI发动机全负荷特性试验研究。试验结果表明:采用射流控制压缩着火方式可以有效控制发动机的燃烧相位和排放。在平均有效压力低于0.44 MPa的工况范围,NOx排放比原机降低较多,燃烧始点相位CA10与滞燃期几乎不随负荷增加而改变;在平均有效压力高于0.44直至0.54 MPa负荷范围内,燃烧始点相位迅速前移,滞燃期迅速减小,柴油提前自燃,射流对着火相位控制作用减弱,NOx排放迅速增加并超过原机;在全负荷范围,烟度始终维持在低水平,HC和CO排放较高。该研究可为柴油预混合燃烧着火相位控制提供参考。     

乙醇/柴油混合燃料燃烧过程与排放试验研究

在YZ4DB3柴油机上,通过测量燃用乙醇/柴油混合燃料的示功图和排放污染物,分析了燃烧过程与排放污染物的变化规律。结果表明,随着乙醇掺混比例的增加,乙醇/柴油混合燃料的滞燃期延长,燃烧终点提前,燃烧持续期缩短。小负荷时,与柴油相比,E10和E20的最大爆发压力分别下降了0.2、0.4MPa,扩散燃烧放热率峰值升高;全负荷时,与柴油相比,乙醇/柴油混合燃料的最大爆发压力变化不大,预混燃烧放热率峰值升高。与燃用柴油相比,掺混乙醇能明显降低烟度,NOx排放变化不大;HC和CO排放随着乙醇掺混比例的增加而升高,小负荷时较明显。乙醇/柴油混合燃料的燃料消耗率与燃用柴油的燃油消耗率基本相同。     

柴油机燃用乙醇-柴油-生物柴油混合燃料的试验研究

研究了乙醇-柴油-生物柴油混合燃料的互溶性和理化性质，测量了柴油机燃用柴油、乙醇-柴油-生物柴油混合燃料的动力性、经济性与排放特性。结果表明，当温度高于10℃、生物柴油的体积分数大于17.6%时，乙醇、柴油和生物柴油可以任意比例稳定互溶。随着乙醇掺混比例的增大，燃用乙醇-柴油-生物柴油混合燃料的燃烧与排放情况是：燃油消耗率逐渐增大，但能量消耗率变化不大；转矩逐渐减小；烟度排放大幅度降低,中高负荷下CO排放大幅度减少，HC排放量明显增加，NOx排放变化不大；最大燃烧压力和放热率峰值逐渐升高并后移。     

喷油定时与进气压力对RCCI特征参数的影响

为制定合理的活性控制压燃RCCI(Rreactivity Controlled Compression Ignition,RCCI)燃烧模式的控制策略,探明不同燃烧边界条件对RCCI燃烧与排放特性的影响,该研究在发动机转速和汽油能量预混比不变的条件下,用一台六缸重型柴油机进行了汽油/柴油双燃料RCCI试验,研究了不同循环能量(CycleEnergy,CE)下喷油定时(Startof Injection,SOI)和进气压力(Inlet Pressure,IP)对汽油/柴油RCCI燃烧和排放特性的影响规律和影响程度。结果表明,当CE从885增加到1700J时,SOI和IP对燃烧特性的影响规律不改变,但SOI和IP对缸内温度的影响程度增加,使缸内平均温度峰值分别增加约130和70 K,压力升高率峰值增加约0.054 MPa/°CA,而SOI和IP对滞燃期的影响程度不变;在排放方面,仅SOI对CO排放的影响规律发生变化,SOI和IP对HC排放的影响程度降低,使HC的排放分别减小约89和13.65g/(kW·h),IP对NOx排放的影响程度增加,使NOx的排放增加约3g/(k W·h),SOI对颗粒物总质量浓度的影响程度不变。研究结果可为制定合理的RCCI燃烧模式控制策略提供数据支撑。     

小型生物质燃气发动机燃烧稳定性试验

为探明生物质燃气各组分相对含量对发动机工作稳定性的影响,在一台小型火花点火发动机上进行了生物质燃气发动机循环变动试验研究,着重分析了理论空燃比与实际空燃比的比值理论空燃比与实际空燃比的比值、H2含量(H2在CH4-H2中的体积分数)及CO2含量(CO2在CH4-H2-CO2中的体积分数)的变化对燃烧稳定性的影响。试验结果表明,燃料组分对燃烧稳定性有较大影响。在本试验中,当理论空燃比与实际空燃比的比值较小、燃料组分中H2含量较低时(如理论空燃比与实际空燃比的比值为0.4、H2的体积分数为25%及理论空燃比与实际空燃比的比值为0.6、H2的体积分数为17%),CO2含量对燃烧稳定性起支配作用,CO2含量的增加导致循环变动增加(上述工况的平均指示压力循环变动系数均超过了10%),在个别条件下导致部分燃烧。随着理论空燃比与实际空燃比的比值及H2含量的增加,CO2含量对燃烧的影响作用逐渐减弱,当理论空燃比与实际空燃比的比值及H2含量达到一定程度时(理论空燃比与实际空燃比的比值为0.6、H2的体积分数为33%及50%,以及理论空燃比与实际空燃比的比值为0.8所对应的所有H2含量条件)CO2含量对燃烧的影响作用已不明显。通过改变燃料组分条件的方法,能够提高生物质燃气发动机的工作稳定性。该研究的成果对生物质燃气发动机燃烧稳定性、经济性及排放特性改善,以及生物质燃气发动机技术应用、推广均有重要指导意义。     

多段燃油喷射对碳酸二甲酯-柴油混合燃料燃烧过程的影响

柴油机多段燃油喷射可用来优化缸内燃烧以实现排放净化的目标。该文采用两段预喷和一段主喷组合的多段燃油喷射进行混合燃料D10(90%柴油+10%碳酸二甲酯)燃烧过程的研究。通过预喷相位可调但3段喷油之间相位间隔恒定、主喷持续时间可调但第1、2段预喷持续时间固定的喷油策略,实现在目标工况下精确的放热中心COHR(center of heat release)。当调整多段燃油喷射策略实现目标COHR以等步长推移时,柴油机的燃烧过程呈现如下特点:各工况的着火时刻均处于第2段预喷和主喷之间;从喷油时刻至着火时刻所经历的曲轴转角越来越小;着火时刻至放热中心所占用的曲轴转角则越来越大;缸内燃烧压力峰值出现位置与放热中心位置较为接近,相对缸内峰值压力出现位置,COHR不断后移且相距更远。与柴油相比,D10的滞燃期更长,其最大压升率也更高。由于易汽化的碳酸二甲酯促进了燃料混合及后续燃烧,从着火时刻到10%放热率及90%放热率对应时刻所占用曲轴转角均变小,说明碳酸二甲酯的加入有助燃烧的迅速进行。基于COHR为表征的燃烧特性分析,为碳酸二甲酯/柴油混合燃料的应用、多段燃油喷射调控燃烧过程及排放控制理论提供指导。     

沼气组分比例对其燃烧稳定性及层流燃烧特性的影响

为了获得沼气主要组分比例所占比例对其燃烧稳定性与层流燃烧特性的影响规律,试验测量了当量比范围为0.8~1.3、初始压力范围为0.1~0.3 MPa、初始温度为320 K、甲烷体积分数分别为47%、55.5%、59%条件下沼气的火焰发展特性。同时,分析了沼气主要组分比例所占比例对沼气层流燃烧时的火焰稳定性与燃烧速度的影响规律。结果表明,当初始温度为320 K、当量比为1.0、初始压力为0.1 MPa时,在不同甲烷体积分数下火焰前锋面均较为光滑,并呈准球形向外发展;当初始压力升高至0.2 MPa时,不同甲烷体积分数下火焰前锋面均出现了裂纹与火焰突起,优先扩散不稳定性初步显示;当初始压力继续升高至0.3 MPa时,优先扩散不稳定性逐步明显,同时,浮力不稳定性将初步显示。随着当量比的增加、初始压力的降低或沼气中甲烷体积分数的增加,马克斯坦长度逐渐增大,火焰稳定性逐步增强。在各工况下无拉伸火焰传播速度与层流燃烧速度随当量比的升高呈现先增加后降低的趋势,在当量比为1.1时达到最大;同时,随着初始压力的降低或甲烷体积分数的升高,无拉伸火焰传播速度与层流燃烧速度逐渐增大。     

甲醇/柴油双燃料发动机燃烧过程分析

为了防止某些工况下爆震的发生,该文在不改变4B26增压柴油机结构的前提下,采用进气甲醇电控喷射,实现甲醇/柴油双燃料燃烧,分析了进气预混掺烧甲醇/柴油双燃料发动机的燃烧过程。试验结果表明,低负荷时随着甲醇掺烧比例的增大,最大爆发压力、缸内平均温度和放热率峰值略有降低,燃烧始点推迟,燃烧持续期变化不明显;高负荷时,随着甲醇掺烧比例的增大,滞燃期缩短,燃烧终点提前,定容放热比例增大,最大爆发压力和放热率峰值明显增加,缸内平均温度略有升高;与燃烧柴油相比,在最大扭矩转速、80%负荷时,掺烧50%甲醇的最大爆发压力增加了12.1%,放热率峰值增加了37.7%。研究结果确定了不同负荷的甲醇掺烧比例变化范围,为甲醇喷射控制策略的优化提供了依据。     

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.     

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.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

Responses of native legume desert trees used for reforestation in the Sonoran Desert to plant growth-promoting microorganisms in screen house

Three slow-growing legume trees used for desert reforestation and urban gardening in the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and the Southwestern USA were evaluated whether their growth can be promoted by inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus pumilus), unidentified arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (mainly Glomus sp.), and supplementation with common compost under regular screenhouse cultivation common to these trees in nurseries. Mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata) and yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) had different positive responses to several of the parameters tested while blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) did not respond. Survival of all tree species was over 80% and survival of mesquite was almost 100% after 10 months of cultivation. Inoculation with growth-promoting microorganisms induced significant effects on the leaf gas exchange of these trees, measured as transpiration and diffusive resistance, when these trees were cultivated without water restrictions.