积灰和光照强度对光伏组件输出功率的影响

针对农业光伏设备积灰严重导致发电量降低的问题,该文采用人工布灰的室内试验方式,利用太阳能全自动模拟跟踪装置,研究灰尘粒径、积灰密度和光照强度对光伏组件输出功率的影响规律,建立了输出功率减小率预测模型,并在室外自然光照下进行模型验证。结果表明:光伏组件输出功率减少率随积灰密度的增大而增大,但增长速度逐渐变缓;当积灰密度相同时,光伏组件输出功率减小率随灰尘粒径的增大而减小,当光照强度为18 300 lux、积灰密度为10 g/m2时,0～38、38～75、75～110和110～150μm粒径组对应输出功率减小率分别为15.96%、12.51%、8.16%和5.39%。双因素方差分析结果表明,灰尘粒径、积灰密度及两者交互作用对输出功率减小率影响显著,光照强度对输出功率减小率影响不显著。通过理论分析,提出了基于遮挡效果相同的不同颗粒级配灰尘的等效粒径的概念和计算公式,进一步利用多项式拟合,建立了光伏组件输出功率减小率随积灰密度和等效粒径变化的计算模型(R2=0.986)。利用太阳能水肥一体化装置对计算模型进行验证,误差绝对值均小于1.5%,表明模型具有很好的实际应用价值。该模型可为光伏农业设备中供电系统的优化配置提供设计依据。     

考虑光伏组件发电性能的自动除尘系统运行时间优化

该文针对自动除尘系统运行过程中动态遮挡对光伏组件输出特性影响规律和系统运行后除尘效果进行了研究分析,进而指导光伏组件自动除尘系统运行开启时刻与持续时间的设置,以实现最优化的除尘效果。结果表明：系统在横向（清扫毛刷运行过程平行于水平面）和纵向（清扫毛刷运行过程倾角等于光伏组件安装倾角）各运行周期中,清扫毛刷每经过一排电池组均会使光伏组件输出参数按V型规律变化,自动除尘系统上行时清扫装置对光伏组件的动态遮挡面积相对下行过程增加1.6150%后光伏组件输出功率低谷值下降40%左右;自动除尘系统运行效果随积灰量呈正相关变化;各类光伏组件的除尘过程应避开光伏组件有功率输出的时间段进行,根据地区与季节的不同定在日出之前10 min开始运行,可实现最优的除尘效果。     

太阳能膜蒸馏淡化水系统运行优化

该文旨在优化太阳能膜蒸馏淡化水系统运行过程。采用试验手段确定了该系统的最佳运行工况,测试了最佳工况下该系统的运行效果,说明了系统运行过程的电力平衡情况。测试结果表明:呼和浩特地区该系统光热部分最佳循环流量为150 L/h;光伏光热系统以连续跟踪方式运行;热工质加热过程控制方法为,当辐照度低于500 W/m~2时仅开启光伏发电系统加热热工质,当辐照度介于500~700 W/m~2时采用光伏光热互补方式加热热工质,当辐照度大于700 W/m~2时仅开启光热系统加热热工质;该系统于最佳工况运行时平均膜通量为14.92 kg/(m~2·h),且系统可维持电力平衡;该系统于优化工况下运行时7组膜组件串联即可满足1个4口之家的饮水需求。系统于优化工况下运行,单位产水量所需的膜面积为0.067 m~2。该研究可为膜蒸馏淡化水系统应用研究提供一定参考。     

菲涅尔高倍聚光PV/T系统热电输出性能模拟与试验

该文基于直通式微通道冷却的菲涅尔高倍聚光PV/T系统热电输出性能的仿真和试验进行研究,结果表明,太阳辐照度、聚光元件间的装配距离、入射角及热对流等对系统热电性能的影响较大;太阳直接辐照度为226 W/m2时,菲涅尔透镜与聚光元件间距离增大2 mm后,功率和电效率分别下降0.98 W和7.4%,对于确定的菲涅尔高倍聚光PV/T系统,存在最佳聚光元件装配参数范围;当太阳直接辐照度一定时,冷却工质流量越大,电池表面温度下降越快,但在较高流量时,随着流量持续增大,电池表面温度下降趋势减小;当入射角由0°增大至1°后,系统得热量下降0.25 MJ,在太阳辐照度达到500 W/m2时,输出功率下降6.35 W;试验系统输出性能稳定,且适用于大型系统,该文研究为系统实际运行参数调控提供理论和试验依据。     

冷藏库用风冷太阳能双级水喷射制冷系统性能分析

对额定制冷量为8.3 kW的冷藏库用风冷太阳能双级水喷射制冷系统进行了变工况性能分析。该系统的制冷量随冷藏温度升高而增大,随环境温度升高而减小,随太阳辐照度增强而增大;性能系数（COP）的变化规律与制冷量类似,其差别是随太阳辐照度增强先迅速增大,但当太阳辐照度增大到一定程度后,COP基本保持稳定。在正常使用条件下（冷藏温度不低于6℃,环境温度不高于38℃,太阳辐照度不低于500 W/m2）,系统的制冷量为5.6～20 kW,COP为0.075～0.112。该系统能较好地与亚热带典型城市南宁的果蔬盛产季节气候条件相匹配。     

荒漠环境中电池板表面灰尘颗粒力学模型建立

高海拔荒漠地区电池板表面积灰严重制约着光伏发电效率和光伏组件寿命。该文在分析表面能的基础上,假设接触不变形条件下,依据宏观分子间作用理论分析提出了电池板表面灰尘颗粒粘附受力模型。结合青海共和地区电池板表面灰尘主要成分和粒径组成,给出了灰尘受力参数;计算了灰尘颗粒所受的范德华力、静电力及重力,给出由参数改变引起的灰尘受力的变化规律。结果表明：当灰尘颗粒半径较小时,颗粒与电池板间的主要粘附力为范德华力,当灰尘颗粒半径较大时,重力分量则成为主导粘附力,粘附合力取值范围为10-10～10-8 N;Lifshitz常数和分子间平均间距主要影响的是范德华力;灰尘颗粒总的静电力随灰尘颗粒半径的增大而增大,静电力的取值小于范德华力和重力分量。对灰尘粘附受力大小及其规律的研究,为高海拔荒漠地区光伏除尘提供理论依据。     

考虑薄膜积灰的日光温室前屋面采光效率模型构建及应用

为确定自然环境下日光温室前屋面的采光效率,通过实测数据获得杨凌地区冬季长时间无雨状态下棚膜表面的灰尘积累分布情况以及不同太阳入射角及积灰程度下的棚膜透光率,构建了积灰分布模型及棚膜透光率衰减模型,在此基础上结合太阳入射角计算模型,采用MATLAB作为开发工具编写日光温室前屋面透光率的计算程序。通过输入温室地理坐标、日期时间、采光面曲线形状、朝向、棚膜材料种类,模拟出采光面上的透光率,并在杨凌地区对模型进行验证与应用。结果表明:同时考虑灰尘和太阳入射角的影响,建立的透光率模型与实测值的模拟精度较高,3个测点的模型计算值与实测值平均绝对误差分别为0.90%、2.13%和2.02%;以杨凌冬至日高采光效率为设计目标,将距温室前屋面底端0.8 m处的点作为控制点,确定2种曲线形状的温室,其前屋面控制点高度分别为0.6和0.8 m;朝向为南偏西5°时,在冬至日正午前后2h内,采光面的太阳入射角处于合理采光角范围内,采光效率较高;在弱光低温的冬季,为保障温室内较高的光照强度,建议选用的前屋面覆盖材料为白色PO膜。该研究可为日光温室棚膜表面采光效率的计算及采光面结构的设计优化提供依据。     

沙区光伏阵列对近地层风沙输移的干扰效应

沙漠地区建设光伏阵列后,地表吹蚀和堆积过程引起的地貌变化不仅严重威胁到了光伏组件固定结构的稳定,而且间接加速损耗了电板发电功率。为探究沙区光伏阵列扰动下近地层风沙输移特征,在库布齐沙漠中段的200MW光伏电站腹地区域,通过同步测定光伏阵列腹地电板不同部位(板间、板前和板后)和上风向无光伏设施覆盖的流动沙地近地层输沙率,同时利用HOBO小型移动气象站记录观测期风速和风向信息,分析不同风速风向条件下光伏阵列整体阻沙率、局部不同部位风沙流结构及通量模型。结果显示:光伏阵列与风向夹角在–12.30°～82.19°范围内,光伏阵列阻沙率为35.34%～93.02%,当夹角超过45°时,光伏阵列平均阻沙率可达84.63%;随光伏阵列与风向之间夹角增大,板间和板后位置风沙输移高度有向上层移动的趋势,而板前位置则更加贴近地表;双参数指数函数可以较好地模拟光伏阵列内不同部位近地层30cm高度范围内输沙率随高度的变化规律。研究结果有助于认识沙漠地区建设光伏阵列后近地层风沙输移规律,可为科学制定次生风沙危害防治技术方案提供依据与参考。     

旱区光伏组件疏水性表面自清洁研究与参数优选

表面积尘会严重影响光伏组件的发电效率,可涂覆疏水性涂层提高其自清洁能力来降低积尘量。该研究将灰尘颗粒视为规则球体,基于颗粒接触力学理论,建立光伏组件表面与灰尘颗粒的黏附力学模型,简化光伏组件自清洁时灰尘的受力模型。采用不同疏水性涂层来改变光伏组件表面参数,计算得到光伏组件的自清洁性能与灰尘粒径、表面性能间的关系。研究结果表明：1）光伏组件表面自清洁性能与表面材料弹性模量和摩擦系数相关。2）清洁200 μm粒径以下的灰尘,光伏组件的表面弹性模量对自清洁性能起主要作用;清洁200 μm粒径以上的灰尘,则表面摩擦系数起主要作用。3）涂覆不同的疏水性涂层,光伏组件可自清洁不同粒径范围的灰尘。4）以中国西北地区为例,灰尘粒径分布为250～500 μm,可选择涂覆弹性模量在0～2 700 MPa内,摩擦系数为0.1的疏水性涂层以提高光伏组件的自清洁能力。研究结果为旱区光伏电站制备及涂覆疏水性涂层除尘提供理论依据。     

严寒地区小型线性菲涅尔聚光集热器末端损失与补偿

针对严寒地区线性菲涅尔聚光集热器末端损失严重的问题,该文以呼和浩特地区小型线性菲涅尔聚光集热系统为研究对象,根据不同季节太阳位置的变化,理论分析并计算了沿水平南北轴放置的线性菲涅尔集热器自东向西跟踪过程的末端损失,得到其变化规律及补偿方法,并进行了试验验证。结果表明,一天中末端损失随时间的变化趋势与太阳高度角的变化趋势相同,与太阳方位角变化趋势相反,正午时刻末端损失最大,早晨和傍晚时刻末端损失最小;不同季节相同时间段内的末端损失,冬季最大,夏季最小,春季和秋季几乎相等;镜场调节试验结果表明,增大反射镜北端与水平面的夹角可以补偿末端损失,在夏至前后正午,当镜场北端抬高20°时,末端损失减少至集热器长度的1/10左右,瞬时集热效率达到65.9%,与反射镜调节前相比,正午瞬时集热效率提高54.5%,下午时间段内瞬时集热效率提高20%左右。研究结果可为减小严寒地区小型线性菲涅尔聚光集热器末端损失提供理论参考。     

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,     

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.     

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.     

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.