油菜精量排种器变量补种系统设计与试验

针对油菜精量排种器的漏播问题,该文设计了油菜精量排种器变量补种系统。该补种系统由漏播检测装置、排种盘测速装置、变量补种装置及补种监测显示装置组成,各装置间指令和数据采用无线方式进行有序实时传输。漏播检测装置采用压电原理感应排种种子流序列,并利用MSP430单片机时间捕获中断功能实时采集排种种子流时间间隔序列和周期内排种数序列,接收排种盘测速装置测得的理论排种频率并确定检测周期,结合基于时变窗口的漏播实时检测方法计算漏播系数等参数,并根据变量补种策略获得对应补种转速,将其发送至变量补种装置及补种监测显示装置。变量补种装置由螺管式补种器、直流减速电机、单片机控制系统、PWM(pulse-width modulation)电机驱动系统、无线模块和电源组成,接收补种转速指令,并通过对应的占空比驱动电机实现变量补种。补种监测显示装置滚动刷新显示最近10个检测周期的漏播补种参数,便于对变量补种系统调试及监测系统运行状态。变量补种系统试验表明:在正常播种速率范围内,补种装置补种量与排种器当量漏播量比值稳定在1.2~1.4,补种后无漏播存在。该变量补种系统可为油菜等小粒径种子漏播补种技术与装置提供有效支撑。     

油菜宽幅播种作业监测系统设计与试验

针对油菜宽幅播种作业过程中播量监测与漏播检测的问题,该研究设计了一种适用于宽幅播种的油菜播种监测系统。该监测系统由播种监测终端与种子流传感检测模块构成,可通过改变连接种子流传感检测模块的数量,适配不同作业幅宽的播种机。种子流传感检测模块将种子穿过感应面生成的单脉冲排种信号并传递给播种监测终端;播种监测终端利用I2C总线对端口扩展用于接收多路油菜种子的排种信号,并生成油菜排种过程的多路种子流排种时间间隔序列,用于实现各行播量、排种频率的计量,并依据相关国家标准对播种作业进行漏播判定。在播种监测终端内构建MariaDB服务器用于对播量、排种频率和漏播状态等播种状态信息进行实时存储、管理,为田间管理与处方作业提供支持。播种监测系统的台架试验表明,在排种频率不高于32.73 Hz时,播量监测的准确率不低于97%,满足播种监测的准确性要求;在排种器不产生严重漏播(漏播指数≤15%)时,漏播指数检测值与高精度的视觉检测试验台的最大偏差为2.21个百分点。结果表明播种监测系统对油菜播种的播种监测与漏播检测的准确性满足使用要求。田间试验表明针对油菜播种的田间播种播量监测准确率不低于96.5%,监测系统在田间作业环境下可稳定工作。该油菜播种监测系统为油菜播种的作业质量评价提供了技术支持。     

油菜籽漏播螺管式补种器设计与试验

针对油菜籽气力式精量排种器产生的漏播补种问题,设计了螺管式补种器并建立了补种器工作转速与漏播系数的关系模型。确定了螺管式补种器工作原理及主要结构参数,运用EDEM(discrete element method,离散元法)仿真对螺管式补种器模型和3D打印试制的螺管式补种器分别开展排种量与转速关系的试验研究。试验结果表明:螺管数量为7的螺管式补种器工作转速在25~180 r/min时,其排种量与转速线性相关系数为0.99,每个螺管当量排种量为1.7~1.9粒,当量排种稳定变异系数≤6%,排种破损率0.5%,螺孔无堵塞。利用该螺管式补种器排种量与转速特性,结合基于时变窗口的漏播实时检测方法,建立了螺管式补种器工作转速与漏播系数的关系模型,在当前时间窗口内实现了变量补种。在40型孔油菜籽气力式精量排种器漏播实时检测与自补种一体化的试验研究表明:精量排种器转速在15~30 r/min范围内不同漏播状态下,漏播自补种系统在当前时间窗口内能够实现变量补种,漏播补种率达100%,补种后粒距漏播指数为0,消除了漏播的发生。该研究可为油菜等小粒径种子精量排种器产生的漏播进行补种,为提高精量播种机的播种质量与效率提供参考。     

油菜精量排种器种子流传感装置设计与试验

针对油菜精量播种过程中缺乏小粒径种子流传感而导致播量监测困难的问题,设计了一种油菜精量排种器种子流传感装置。运用高速摄影技术及碰撞动力学模型,记录并分析油菜种子与聚偏氟乙烯压电薄膜的碰撞轨迹,为传感装置的导管、压电薄膜倾角、出种口位置等关键结构参数提供依据。基于油菜种子与压电薄膜的碰撞信号特征分析,设计了沉槽基板-压电薄膜感应结构,将碰撞信号的衰减时间从9缩短至1 ms,提高了对高频种子流检测的时间分辨率,同时能够有效抵抗机械振动带来的干扰影响。对微弱碰撞信号进行放大、半波整流、电压比较、单稳态触发转化为单脉冲信号,通过单片机定时计数采集处理,实现油菜种子流排种频率与排种总量的实时检测,并利用无线收发模块定时发送给监测显示终端,实现播量数据的实时显示与保存。油菜精量排种器台架及数粒仪高频排种试验表明:在排种频率8.1~32.9 Hz范围内,检测准确率不低于99.5%。田间播种试验表明传感装置能够实时检测精量排种器的排种频率与排种总量,在无排种时计数为零,正常播种状态时检测准确率不低于99.1%,机械振动及粉尘对传感装置没有影响。该传感装置为油菜精量播种过程播量监测、漏播检测以及补种提供有效支撑。     

马铃薯微型种薯振动排序播种装置播种性能优化

为推动马铃薯微型种薯(简称微型薯)播种机械化的发展,在现有研究的基础上,提出基于受迫振动原理的单列排序机械化播种技术,设计马铃薯微型种薯振动排序播种装置。在对播种装置工作原理进行阐述的基础上,对投种过程进行运动学和动力学分析,阐明了振动排序播种装置播种特性,并明晰了影响播种性能的主要因素及各因素的试验取值范围。以偏心轮偏心距、驱动轴转速和种床带速度为试验因素,以重播率、漏播率和播种合格率为评价指标,对3个不同级别的微型薯为研究对象开展二次回归正交组合试验,建立各个级别下微型薯的各指标与因素间的回归数学模型,分析相关因素对播种性能参数的影响,获得合理的参数组合,并进行验证试验,结果表明:3个不同级别的微型薯在较优的试验组合下,重播率和漏播率均小于5%,播种合格率在90%以上。由此表明,该播种装置满足马铃薯播种机播种性能要求。该研究为微型薯等大颗粒种子相关播种装置的研究、设计和优化以及播种性能的提升提供参考。     

玉米精准变量播种技术与装备研究进展

变量播种技术可依据农田环境空间异质性调整玉米播种量,实现生长环境与播种量的合理精准匹配,是突破玉米单产提升瓶颈、提高资源利用效率、实现玉米生产提质增效的重要手段。该研究按照玉米变量播种技术实施过程,从土壤肥力指标精确获取技术、最佳播量决策技术以及播量精准调控技术3个方面对玉米变量播种技术与装备进行综述。阐述了基于近地传感和遥感的土壤肥力指标快速获取的研究与应用现状,并对影响土壤肥力指标由点到面转化的土壤属性空间插值方法和影响土壤肥力分类结果的农田管理区划分方法进行了系统总结;重点分析了基于农田管理区和基于模型的变量播种决策方法的研究现状与优缺点,依据国外变量播种决策研究思路,同时结合中国国情提出了基于模糊推理、田间试验和机器学习的3种播量决策方法;综述了国外变量播种控制系统的结构组成与工作原理,归纳了国内电驱排种系统在作业速度测量、排种器驱动方式等方面取得的研究进展,并重点剖析了变量播种过程中存在的播种滞后问题及其补偿方法。针对中国玉米变量播种技术仍处于初级阶段,最佳播量决策技术与播量精准调控技术薄弱的问题,提出未来在玉米变量播种领域需开展的研究重点和发展建议:1)研发符合中国国情的变...     

蔬菜穴盘育苗播种漏播检测及智能补种装置设计与试验

为保证植物工厂蔬菜穴盘育苗高质量作业要求,该研究在气吸滚筒式蔬菜穴盘育苗精密播种器的基础上,优化设计了在线漏播检测与智能补种装置,以可编程逻辑控制器（programmable logic controller, PLC）为控制核心,实时进行播种器吸孔漏吸检测及穴盘穴孔漏播位置预报,并完成漏播穴孔的定点定穴补种。采用光电检测技术检测播种器吸孔漏吸位置,构建漏吸吸孔与育苗穴盘穴孔的对应动态补种矩阵,实现穴盘穴孔漏播位置精准预报;优化设计了智能补种装置,根据预报的穴盘穴孔漏播位置实现定点定穴精准补种。以中双11号菜心种子为对象,开展播种器吸孔漏吸检测与穴孔漏播位置预报试验,得到吸孔漏吸平均检测准确率为98.82%,穴孔漏播位置预报准确率为100%。采用Box-Behnken试验设计方法,对智能补种装置开展作业性能试验,构建主要性能指标（单粒合格指数、重播指数和漏播指数）与主要影响因素（吸针负压、吸针孔径和种室振动压力）的关系,并进行多目标优化,确定智能补种装置最优工作参数组合为吸针负压10.19 kPa、吸针孔径0.67 mm、种室振动压力0.07 MPa,此时补种装置播种的平均单粒合格指数...     

倾斜圆盘式谷子精少量排种器的设计与试验

为解决谷子等小籽粒种子播种难的问题,根据谷子免间苗精少量播种的农艺要求,设计了一种倾斜圆盘式谷子精少量排种器,阐述了排种器的工作原理和谷粒的运动过程,计算确定了主要的结构参数。以种子破损率、总排量稳定性变异系数、穴距合格指数、重播指数、漏播指数、合格穴距变异系数为指标,对其进行了排量稳定性和均匀性试验。结果表明,该排种器的排量稳定性变异系数小于0.7%,穴距合格指数大于86%,重播指数小于12%,漏播指数小于7%,合格穴距变异系数小于5%,谷子破损率小于0.05%,满足行业标准要求。该研究可为小籽粒精少量排种器的设计分析提供了参考。     

玉米种子分级处理对气力式精量排种器播种效果的影响

该研究的宗旨是考察玉米种子分级处理对气力式精量排种器播种效果的影响。将玉米种子按形状和大小分为4级,分别用气吹式和气吸式2种精量排种器进行试验,以考察种子分级对合格、重播、漏播等播种指标的影响。试验表明：气吹式排种器对玉米种子形状和大小变异的适应性较强;对于气吹式排种器而言,在满足播种指标要求前提下,种子分级对其播种合格指数、重播指数影响显著,对其漏播指数和变异系数影响不显著,圆形种子合格率为96%,扁平种子合格率为87.4%,优势明显;而对气吸式排种器而言,分级后对各项质量指标的影响不显著,且出现较多播种不合格情况,说明即使进行种子分级也未能明显改进其播种性能。试验条件下,气吹式精量排种器的播种质量指标优于气吸式精量排种器。     

磁吸式穴盘精密播种机的研制及试验

穴盘精密播种是现代育苗技术的一个重要环节，由于蔬菜、花卉等作物种子具有体积小、重量轻、形状又不规则的特点，给其精密播种带来了困难。为了较好地实现这类种子的精密播种，在分析了国内外现有精密播种技术的基础上，提出并设计了一种新型磁吸式精密播种机。该机依靠电磁吸头精确吸取经磁粉包衣处理的种子，通过调节磁吸力的大小来控制播种量和播种精度，整机由步进电机驱动，并由单片机协调控制来自动作业。通过对小白菜、西红柿、黄瓜等作物种子的初步试验，其单粒精播率达90％，漏播率低于5％，说明该机具有较高的播种精度和对不同类型种子     

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.