贵州省猫跳河流域土壤侵蚀动态变化分析

通过实际观测,获得蒋家沟流域近2a的径流资料,总结出2008—2009年间径流的年内特征。通过收集蒋家沟流域土壤、土地利用和气象数据,用SWAT模型模拟了蒋家沟流域的基流月径流模拟和日径流变化。基流月模拟中旱季的模拟效果比较好,汛期由于泥石流暴发时无法观测流量,导致实测资料不完整,模拟结果比较差。日径流模拟分为旱季和汛期模拟,模拟结果的Nash效率系数和相关系数都在0.7以上,表明SWAT模型可以应用于泥石流流域蒋家沟地区的降雨—产流机制研究。     

黄土高原水土保持措施强化降雨入渗分析及灰色预测

黄土高原水土流失综合治理是以强化降雨入渗,减少地表径流,阻止土壤侵蚀为目的。因此,治理区降雨入渗量的大小是衡量水土流失治理效果的关键指标之一。目前入渗量的计算多利用年总降雨量,由于在黄土地区小雨量或小强度的降雨具有与水土流失治理的零相关性,因而会导致对水土流失综合治理强化入渗作用估计的较大误差。提出用1a中产生径流的次降雨总量(产流降雨总量)计算入渗量。以西川河流域为例,采用1997—2001年的降雨径流资料,分别用年降雨总量与产流降雨总量推求降雨入渗系数,对比分析了入渗量随流域水土流失治理度的变化,结果表明:利用产流降雨总量能比较清晰地反映流域治理程度对降雨入渗的影响。在此基础上,采用GM(1,1)灰色动态模型预测西川河流域降雨入渗量随水土流失治理度的变化趋势。结果表明,GM(1,1)灰色模型能够合理地预测黄土高原水土保持措施对自然流域入渗量影响的变化趋势。     

天然降雨条件下横垄与顺垄坡面产流产沙过程

试验以天然降雨为侵蚀动力,采用标准径流小区法,对比研究了连续型降雨与间歇型降雨条件下横垄与顺垄玉米径流形成和泥沙迁移规律。结果表明:连续型降雨产流过程形态呈"W"或倒"V"形,产沙形态呈"W"或"M"形;顺垄产流与产沙时间长度一致,产流总量和产沙总量分别是横垄的1.66~5.80倍和5.02~5.52倍;顺垄与横垄产流产沙峰值差异显著,仅横垄与雨强存在错峰现象,延后1min。间歇型降雨产流形态为倒"V"形,产沙形态呈倒"V"或"M"形;顺垄产流和产沙总量分别是横垄的1.83倍和2.32倍;首次产流量占总量的70%以上,产沙量占总量的94%~100%,且横垄和顺垄与雨强均存在错峰现象,顺垄产流和产沙量较雨强延后1~4min,横垄延后1min;除首次产流外,其余产流产沙过程时间较短均无错峰现象。天然降雨条件下,横垄与顺垄产流产沙过程较为复杂,研究结果可为区域坡地水土流失防治及水土资源管理利用提供理论依据。     

人工模拟降雨条件下花岗岩红壤坡面侵蚀过程与特征分析简

通过室内人工模拟降雨试验,研究降雨强度、坡度及地表覆盖3因素对花岗岩红壤坡面侵蚀过程的影响.结果表明：1）起始产流时间随降雨强度和坡度的增加而有所提前,而地表覆盖能延缓起始产流时间;2）在不同降雨强度和坡度条件下,径流率从产流初期开始都快速增加,7 ～ 10 min后达到稳定,且随着降雨强度和坡度增加,径流率也显著增加;3）随着降雨强度的增大,产沙率明显增大,且降雨强度越大,坡度对产沙率的影响越明显;4）降雨强度和径流总量、产沙总量之间相关性极显著,其相关系数分别为0.892和0.799;5）地表覆盖具有良好的减沙作用,其减沙效益超过90％.     

碱坪沟地震次生泥石流形成特征与发展趋势

＂5.12＂汶川地震后,龙溪河碱坪沟流域内堆积了大量的松散固体物质,成为参与泥石流形成的主要物源。碱坪沟于2009—2010年先后3次暴发大规模泥石流灾害。通过对碱坪沟的地形、水源和物源条件的分析发现,该流域地形和水源条件满足泥石流形成的条件,且在地震前后未发生显著变化,而物源条件已经成为影响该区域泥石流形成与发展的主要因素。基于流域物源量与物源固结效应的研究结果表明,在5a内碱坪沟泥石流灾害较活跃,可能暴发大规模泥石流灾害。5～10a后,在降雨条件不发生较大变化以及不暴发大地震的情况下,流域内泥石流规模和频率会逐渐减小,只有在低频率暴雨作用下才可能暴发大规模泥石流灾害。     

模拟降雨条件下污染土壤中重金属元素径流迁移特征

探明污染土壤中重金属元素随地表径流迁移特征,对于防控重金属污染物的迁移扩散具有重要意义。通过室内模拟降雨试验,研究不同降雨强度下(55,100,120mm/h)污染土壤中Cd、Pb和Cr随地表径流迁移的特征。结果表明:径流中3种重金属元素总量在产流的前20min内逐渐降低,随后趋于稳定;产流初期(产流10min内)颗粒态重金属占径流重金属总量的比例均在80%以上;随产流时间延长,颗粒态Cd和Cr对径流重金属的贡献率快速降低,其颗粒态/溶解态的比值范围分别为47.0～0.4和12.9～0.4,而Pb则主要以颗粒态的形式存在,溶解态Pb对其随径流迁移的贡献率可忽略不计;随降雨强度增大,径流中总Cd和Pb含量显著降低,而径流中总Cr含量以及溶解态重金属含量无明显变化规律。     

黄土高原北部水蚀风蚀交错区产流条件及径流系数

为了揭示黄土高原北部水蚀风蚀交错区的产流机制并推求径流系数,为该地区地表水资源的深入研究提供基础数据,选取具有黄土高原北部水蚀风蚀交错区典型气象与水文特征的六道沟流域为研究区。通过分析实测水文数据,从机制上分别研究了试验流域在表层土壤（5—10 cm）达到饱和及不饱和条件下的产流过程,在长历时低强度降雨条件下,产流的必要条件是表层土壤达到饱和且雨强≥0.12 mm/min;在短历时高强度降雨条件下,表层土壤未达到饱和状态时,产流的必要条件是降雨强度≥0.52 mm/min;径流系数与平均降雨强度之间存在着显著的正相关关系;以运动波理论的基础方程式结合GIS技术开发了适用于试验流域的分布式降雨—径流数值模型,模型的误差<3%;基于2005—2009年（5 a）的降雨—径流数值计算,得到试验流域在这5 a的平均径流系数为0.11,从而推求出多年平均径流系数为0.10～0.15。     

淮北平原黄潮土多雨强变坡度产流产沙规律试验模拟

针对淮北平原黄潮土水土流失严重的问题,为揭示其产流产沙规律,利用五道沟水文实验站大型人工模拟降雨径流试验场,开展了40,60,80mm/h 3个雨强及5°,10°,15°3个坡度产流产沙规律试验模拟。结果表明:坡面初始产流时间随坡度、雨强的增大而缩短,雨强、坡度越大缩短越不明显;单位时间产流、产沙量随降雨时间变化的转折点在产流后6～15min,单位时间产流量随降雨时间变化表现为前期快速增加,中期缓慢增加,后期平稳,其中40,60mm/h雨强单位时间产流量随坡度增加而减小,80mm/h雨强随坡度的增加而增加;单位时间产沙量随雨强、坡度的增大而增大;不同坡度累计产沙量及产流量随降雨时间变化呈幂函数或线性函数关系(R20.99);坡度及雨强与坡面产流、产沙总量分别呈多元线性和多元幂函数关系。     

梯田对黄土区降雨径流过程的影响及SCS-CN模型应用与改进

梯田改变了流域下垫面,对降雨径流过程势必产生影响,径流曲线模型（Soil Conservation Service Curve Number,SCS-CN）在中国黄土区,特别是梯田分布广泛流域的适用性仍存争议。为此,该研究以位于甘肃天水的罗玉沟流域为研究对象,利用梯田修建前后2个时段（1985-1990年、2000-2010年）的降雨径流实测资料,分析梯田修建对降雨-径流过程的影响,验证SCS-CN模型的适用性,进一步考虑梯田修建的影响针对不同降雨类型分别提出了基于降雨量和平均雨强的模型改进方法。结果表明：1）梯田修建对流域径流过程的影响与降雨强度关系密切。当雨强较小时,梯田显著削减流域洪峰和径流总量,削减幅度均在55%以上;而当降雨量和雨强较大时,梯田削减洪峰和径流总量效果并不显著。总体上,梯田修建后流域平均降雨径流系数显著减小至0.06,减小幅度约54%。2）基于最小二乘法优化与考虑前期土壤含水率修正的SCS-CN模型并不适用于梯田分布广泛流域的径流预报。引入降雨量和平均雨强改进后的模型模拟效果显著提高,此时流域暴雨量级以下和以上降雨事件的初损率分别为0.29和0.02。该研究基于降雨因子改进的模型在梯田分布广泛流域具有一定的适用性,可为流域产流计算及水土保持规划提供参考依据。     

模拟降雨入渗对岷江流域红壤坡面产流产沙的影响

采用室内模拟降雨研究了不同降雨强度和坡度对岷江流域红壤坡面降雨入渗、产流产沙的影响。结果表明:在不同降雨强度下,随坡度的增加,初始产流时间趋于提前;随降雨强度的增大,产流时间提前,降雨强度对初始产沙时间的影响大于坡度变化的影响。在同一坡度条件下,径流强度随降雨强度的增加而增加,平均入渗率随降雨强度的增加表现为先增大后减小的趋势。50mm/h降雨强度下,径流强度和坡面平均入渗率在降雨后20min开始趋于稳定;75mm/h降雨强度下,径流强度和坡面平均入渗率在降雨后15min开始趋于稳定;100mm/h降雨强度下,径流强度和坡面平均入渗率在降雨后10 min开始趋于稳定,径流强度和平均入渗率趋于稳定的时间均随雨强的增大而明显提前,各个时刻的径流强度和入渗率的稳定值在降雨过程中并不稳定,表现为随降雨强度和坡度的增大,波动愈剧烈。坡面产沙量随坡度和降雨强度的增大而增大,当坡度由5°增大到10°时,产沙量急剧增加;当坡度由10°增加到30°时,产沙量增速趋缓,侵蚀产沙量没有出现临界坡度。坡面产流强度和入渗率随时间的变化关系分别服从幂函数和对数函数规律,不同降雨强度下的径流深和产沙量也呈现出显著的正线性关系。     

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.