宁夏引黄灌区盐化土壤盐分特征与相关性分析

选取宁夏典型盐化土壤,研究了土壤盐分、pH和碱化度的垂直分布特征,并对土壤含盐量及各离子组成之间的相关性进行了统计分析.结果表明,研究区主要的盐分离子有SO42-、Cl-、Na+、Ca2+,0～ 40 cm土层试区土壤类型属氯化物-硫酸盐类型;40～100 cm土层,属硫酸盐-氯化物类型.相关性分析表明:0～40 cm土层土壤含盐量与SO42-含量相关性最大,其次是Mg2,40 ～ 100 cm土层土壤含盐量与Cl-和Na+的相关性最大,其次是SO42-,各土层Cl-与Na+均呈相关系数大于0.97的极显著正相关,SO42-在0～40 cm土层与Ca2+的相关性最大,40～ 60 cm土层与Cl-的相关性最大,60 ～ 100 cm土层与Na+的相关性最大.主成分分析结果表明:SO42-、Mg2+、Cl-、Na+、Ca2可作为试验区土壤盐化状况的特征因子.     

新疆玛纳斯河流域土壤盐分特征研究

以新疆玛纳斯河流域为研究区,结合面域土壤性状调研,利用相关分析和主成分分析方法对区域土壤盐分特征进行研究.结果表明,研究区域土壤盐渍化类型以硫酸盐为主,剖面土壤盐分含量呈现底聚分布特征;土壤盐分含量与SO42-、Ca2+离子含量呈极显著正相关;各层土壤盐分阴离子以SO42-为主,阳离子以Ca2+为主;SO42-、Ca2+、Mg2+及土壤盐分含量(St)是表征玛纳斯河流域土壤盐渍化的主要特征因子.本研究将为新疆玛纳斯河流域土壤资源可持续利用提供重要的理论依据.     

河套平原弃耕地土壤盐碱化特征

运用经典统计和主成分分析方法,对河套平原弃耕地盐渍化土壤全盐量、pH、阴阳离子组成、碱化度(ESP)的分布特征进行了分析。结果表明:研究区土壤为中度至重度盐渍化,土壤全盐、pH、碱化度(ESP)在剖面中的变化趋势一致,呈表聚和底聚两个过程。全盐量介于2.80~6.69g kg-1之间,pH介于9.20~9.69之间,碱化度介于10.97%~33.33%之间。0~60 cm土层全盐量随土层深度增加而降低,60~120 cm土层全盐量随土层深度增加而增加。剖面中阳离子以Na++K+为主;阴离子以SO42-为主。除pH外,土壤各盐碱指标呈强烈空间变异特征;不同土层SO42-与Ca2+、Mg2+、全盐量差异达极显著水平,Cl-与K++Na+相关性随土层深度增加而减弱,pH、碱化度与CO32-达极显著水平。土壤全盐量、SO42-可作为研究区土壤盐化状况特征因子;CO32-、HCO3-、pH可作为研究区土壤碱化状况特征因子。由此可见,在改良利用过程中要以降低土壤盐度和碱度来调控离子组成,进而改善土壤结构。     

半干旱盐渍化地区果园土壤盐分离子相关性研究

以甘肃省秦安县兴国镇郑川村果园土壤为研究对象,利用统计分析的方法对500个土样盐分离子含量的相关性进行了研究.结果表明:该研究区土壤阴离子主要是HCO3-、SO42-,阳离子主要是Na+.CO32- 与HCO3-、Mg2+ 之间存在着显著的负相关,与Na+ 之间存在着极显著的正相关;HCO3- 与Cl- 之间存在着极显著的负相关,与Mg2+ 之间存在着极显著的正相关;Cl- 与SO42-、Ca2+、Mg2+、Na+ 之间存在着显著的正相关,其中与Ca2+、Na+ 之间存在着极显著的正相关;SO42- 与Ca2+、Mg2+、Na+ 之间存在着极显著的正相关;Ca2+ 与K+ 之间存在着极显著的正相关,与Na+ 之间存在着显著的负相关;Mg2+ 与K+ 之间存在着显著的负相关;K+ 与Na+ 之间存在着极显著的负相关.通过对盐分离子的聚类分析发现,Cl-、Mg2+、CO32-、Ca2+、K+ 和HCO3- 在该区土壤中有着相似或相近的运移特征.对相关分析和偏相关分析这两种分析方法所得结果进行了对比分析,它们之间存在着明显的差异,偏相关分析能进一步消除由于其他变量的影响,因而能够更加准确地刻化多元变量其中的两个变量之间的相关性.     

黄河三角洲贝壳堤岛土壤盐分空间分异特征

对黄河三角洲贝壳堤岛贝壳砂基质和相邻滨海盐土的盐分特征进行调查研究,系统分析贝壳堤岛土壤盐分的空间异质性。选择不同地下水埋深梯度下2种土壤类型进行剖面盐分特征测定,比较研究土壤类型及地下水埋深对土壤盐分特征的影响,并应用主成分分析法对土壤盐分特征进行综合评价。结果表明:(1)除Ca2+外,贝壳砂基质剖面中其余盐分特征指标由表层至底层均呈现逐渐增高的趋势,Ca2+含量由上至下则呈现缓慢降低的趋势;(2)贝壳砂基质剖面盐分含量与地下水埋深密切相关,近海侧剖面(地下水埋深1.5m)细颗粒含量、含水量、含盐量及pH值均高于滩脊剖面(地下水埋深2.5m)对应各层次;而各盐分离子中,近海侧剖面各层K+、Na+、Cl-、SO42-含量明显高于滩脊剖面对应各层次;而Ca2+、Mg2+则不同,其近海侧剖面与滩脊剖面对应各层次含量均比较接近;(3)贝壳堤岛土壤样品盐分特征指标相关分析表明,除Ca2+外,其余各指标之间多存在显著或极显著正相关关系;(4)贝壳堤岛土壤样品盐分特征指标的主成分分析表明,前4个主成分因子累计贡献率为84.265%,分别依次可以理解为土壤的盐化状况因子、土壤Ca2+含量因子、土壤含盐量及碱化特征因子、土壤K+含量因子;主成分得分可以很好的将各土壤样品进行分类和排序。     

不同种植年限大棚菜田土壤水溶性盐分的变化特征

采集新乡市不同种植年限大棚菜田、露天菜田及大田土壤共计160个样品,调查分析水溶性盐总量、各盐分离子的变化及土壤pH值。结果表明,大棚土壤在连续种植不同年限后,水溶性盐总量上升幅度与种植年限呈极显著相关(r=0.92**);K+、Na+、Cl-、NO2-、NO3-、SO24-含量与种植年限呈正相关,而Ca2+、Mg2+、HCO3-含量变化与种植年限呈负相关;土壤pH值降低幅度与种植年限呈极显著相关;K+、Na+、Cl-、NO3-、SO42-的含量均与土壤水溶性盐总量呈极显著相关。新乡市大棚菜田土壤中Cl-、NO2-、NO3-含量与pH值变化存在极显著负相关;SO42-含量与pH值变化存在显著负相关;HCO3-与土壤pH值变化存在极显著正相关。新乡市大棚菜田阳离子以K+、Na+为主,阴离子主要以Cl-、NO2-、NO3-、SO42-为主;不同种植年限对大棚土壤盐渍化和酸化有极显著影响,K+、Na+、Cl-、NO2-、NO3-、SO42-则是造成土壤盐渍化的重要原因,Cl-、NO2-、NO3-、SO42-是造成土壤酸化的重要原因。     

滩涂区不同围垦年限土壤总盐及盐基离子含量变化规律

为了研究江苏沿海百年尺度滩涂围垦区土壤含盐量、Cl-、SO42-、HCO3-、Na+、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+等盐基离子变化规律及影响因素,采用了数量统计、相关分析、因子分析等方法对大丰典型滩涂5个不同时段围垦区表层土壤含盐量、Cl-、SO42-、HCO3-、Na+、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+等盐基离子的含量变化、相关关系、盐渍化特征及土壤理化性质对脱盐的影响进行了研究。研究结果显示:随着围垦年限增加土壤含盐量及盐基离子含量逐渐降低,围垦到60 a左右土壤含量平均值低于1g/kg,基本完成脱盐过程,并且盐渍化类型以氯化物型为主转变成以硫酸盐型为主;随着脱盐过程进行,盐基离子之间相关关系和组合特征发生了明显变化,从初期以Cl-、Na+作为主控因子,到围垦后期以SO42-、Ca2+为主控因子;土壤有机质和粉砂粒的增加加速了土壤脱盐进程;盐基离子变化是围垦过程中土壤酸碱度变化驱动因素之一。     

苏打碱化土壤盐分离子与相关性分析

选取典型苏打碱化土壤剖面,分析了0～200cm深度主要盐分离子(Ca2+、Mg2+、Na+、K+、CO32-、HCO3-、Cl-和SO42-)的垂直分布规律。对各离子之间的相关性进行了统计分析。结果表明,测试土样离子以Na+和HCO3-离子为主,其剖面分布规律是表层含量较低,在80cm左右逐渐增至最大值,其后离子含量随深度而降低,至160cm以下则又随深度而增加,即在整个土壤剖面上大致呈倒"S"曲线分布。CO32-、HCO3-、Cl-与Na+,CO32-、HCO3-与Cl-之间均是相关系数大于0.80的极显著相关;除K+离子外,其它7个离子间均具有显著相关性,这表明该苏打碱化土壤盐分离子组成具有复杂性的特点。     

青海省鱼卡–大柴旦盆地土壤盐分特征

通过野外调查、采样与室内分析,采用相关分析和因子分析法研究鱼卡-大柴旦盆地土壤盐分特征。结果表明:土壤盐分组成中,阴离子以Cl–和SO42–为主,阳离子以Na+和Ca2+为主;土壤全盐量与Cl–和SO42–的含量分别呈显著、极显著正相关关系;0~20 cm土层土壤全盐量约占剖面土壤全盐量的53%,土壤盐分呈现表聚性;土壤全盐量及各离子变异系数超过100%,土壤盐分含量空间变异大;因子分析结果表明Cl-、SO42-、K++Na+和Mg2+可作为研究区土壤盐渍化状况的特征因子;土壤盐分的物质来源是地下水中的化学物质,土壤盐渍化程度的主导因素是地下水位埋深,同时受到历史积盐影响。     

内蒙古腰坝绿洲的土壤盐渍化特征

[目的]研究内蒙古阿拉善左旗腰坝绿洲土壤盐渍化特征及土壤盐分离子分布规律,为研究区农业生产发展及生态环境保护计策提出合理依据。[方法]通过在野外考察、GPS定点、样品采集和处理并借助Excel和SPSS软件,运用统计学方法研究了该区土壤盐离子含量、总碱度与土壤离子含量之间的关系、土壤含盐量以及盐离子间的相关性。[结果]灌区土壤pH值平均值为8.13,为碱性土,土壤盐分含量较高,其中0—10cm土壤盐离子含量最高,平均值达到4.49%。阳离子主要是Ca2+和K++Na+,阴离子主要是SO2-4Cl-HCO-3,CO2-3含量微小。0—10cm土层和10—60cm土层中SO2-4与Ca2+均有极显著正相关,相关性均大于0.95,因子分析中SO2-4与Ca2+,Cl-和K++Na+发生"聚类"现象。[结论]灌区盐渍化土主要为硫酸盐渍土,其次为氯化盐渍土,该盐渍土危害植被生长。     

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.