黄土耕作坡面溅蚀过程中微地形响应特征

[目的]探究60mm/h雨强下不同耕作坡面在溅蚀阶段的微地形变化特征,为黄土坡地水土保持耕作方式布设提供科学依据。[方法]在室内人工模拟降雨试验的基础上,采用激光扫描量测方法分别获取溅蚀前后4种不同耕作方式(人工锄耕、人工掏挖、等高耕作、耙磨整平)黄土坡面微地形相对高程,并对能反映微地形变化的高精度M-ΔDEM进行了分析。[结果]不同耕作措施下坡面微地形均具有较弱的空间变异,其空间分异主要受耕作措施的影响;降雨对微地形具有一定的夷平效应,且不同耕作坡面在1~1.3m尺度范围内均表现出侵蚀平衡现象;不同耕作微地形对溅蚀均具有阻滞作用,其中人工掏挖和等高耕作具有较强的水土保持作用。[结论]微地形水系分维能较好地反映复杂的微地形特征,而坡面耕作方式是溅蚀过程中微地形时空变异分布状况的控制性因子。     

微地形空间离散化水文响应单元确定方法

空间离散化是分布式水文模型构建的充要条件。在90 mm/h雨强人工降雨试验、三维激光扫描构建微地形数字高程模型(M-DEM)的基础上,基于元胞自动机(CA)模型研究了人工掏挖微地形在5种不同坡度条件下侵蚀发育过程中不同大小格网/元胞的水沙汇集和传递关系,进而提出空间离散化水文响应单元(HRU)的确定方法。结果表明:基于CA模型所确定的5°,10°,15°,20°和25°坡在溅蚀阶段的最佳HRU大小为6 mm,5 mm,6 mm,5 mm,8 mm; 片蚀阶段的最佳HRU大小为6 mm,4 mm,6 mm,5 mm,5 mm,细沟侵蚀阶段的最佳HRU大小为4 mm,7 mm,5 mm,6 mm,6 mm,纳什效率系数均接近于1; 综合以上,90 mm/h雨强下人工掏挖微地形水蚀模拟最佳HRU应为6 mm。研究提出了一种微地形空间离散化的方法,为微地形尺度水蚀定量化研究提供了一定的技术支撑。     

人工降雨条件下坡耕地地表糙度的时空变异分布研究

水蚀过程中地表糙度变化研究,特别是微地表条件下水蚀过程中地表糙度的分布及变化特征的研究是土壤侵蚀学科领域的前沿问题,目前仍处于不断的探索与发展阶段。本文试图通过对陕西省杨凌区农耕地土壤进行固定坡度和雨强下不同耕作措施的室内人工降雨试验,建立微地形条件下高精度的DEM并进行分析,探讨地表糙度在水蚀过程中的时空变异分布。结果表明:（1）人为耕作对坡面地表糙度的整体分布状态和坡面高程空间分布状况的影响显著;（2）降雨对等高耕作、人工锄耕、人工掏挖耕作措施的高程分布有一定的影响,并且高程变化量的最大值均出现在坡面的下部;（3）在降雨侵蚀的产流前后,坡面糙度的空间变化最大,而产流后糙度的空间变化趋于平稳。研究结果初步揭示了微地表条件下地表糙度的时空变异状况,并可为进一步分析不同坡度、不同雨强条件下地表糙度的综合研究奠定基础。     

黄土坡耕地径流水力学参数与侵蚀产沙的模拟

为了明确连续降雨条件下黄土坡耕地微地形的径流产沙及水力学特征,基于4种坡度(5°,10°,15°,25°)、4种耕作方式(直线坡、人工锄耕、人工掏挖、等高耕作)和2种雨强(60mm/h,120mm/h)的组合,通过室内模拟连续90min降雨试验,对不同坡面的径流泥沙特征和水力学参数进行了定量分析和计算。结果表明:4种耕作措施的径流量和产沙量均遵循一致的规律,从大到小均为直线坡人工锄耕人工掏挖等高耕作,直线坡的径流量和产沙量分别是等高耕作坡面的2倍和2.3倍,其水土保持效应依次增强;相同耕作方式下,与60mm/h雨强相比,120mm/h雨强下的径流量由1.04kg/min增大到3.02kg/min,雨强对径流量的影响显著;径流量和泥沙量随时间均呈现对数变化趋势;相同降雨历时下,坡面流随雨强和坡度的增大,从层流和缓流向紊流和急流发展,加剧了水土流失。耕作方式、雨强和坡度是影响黄土坡耕地侵蚀产沙过程及水力学特征的重要因素。因此,通过实施有效的保护性耕作、削弱坡度效应将有助于黄土坡耕地的水土保持。     

黄土坡耕地耕作方式不同时微地形分布特征及水土保持效应

 利用GIS技术模拟黄土坡耕地微地形空间分布特征,并对其水土保持效应进行研究。结果表明：1)地表微地形起伏大小依次为等髙耕作 > 人工掏挖 >人工锄耕 > 直线坡面（CK),和CK相比,人工锄耕与人工掏挖微地形呈随机相间的坑洼特征,等高耕作呈沟垄相间的空间特征;雨后CK、人工锄耕、人工掏挖与等商耕作方式下地表髙程平均分别降低0.015、0.014、0.018和0.015 m。2)除CK地表填洼量为增大外,其余方式均为减小;地表产流时间依次为直线坡面 < 人工掏挖< 人工锄耕< 等髙耕作。3)产流量随降雨时间呈先增大,后趋于平稳的过程。4)与CK相比,等高耕作、人工锄耕和人工掏挖产流量分别减小38. 17%、17.88%和9.43%。5)产沙最随降雨时间呈先增大,后减小并逐渐趋于稳定的过程,与CK相比,等高耕作、人工锄耕和人工掏挖产沙量分别减小65.6%、36.3%和23.4%。6)坡度对产流产沙的影响主要是坡度越大,产流时间越早,产流产沙量也越大。因此,不同耕作方式的水土保持效应与其形成的地表微地形空间特征密切相关。     

耕作微地形单元对溅蚀的影响

探究不同微地形特征对溅蚀的影响,为黄土高原水土保持耕作方式提供科学布设依据.选取杨凌塿土为研究对象,通过室内人工模拟降雨试验,降雨强度分别为20,40,60,80,100,120 mm/h,降雨历时10 min,研究不同耕作措施(平整地、点种、条播)下造成的微地形单元对溅蚀的影响特征.结果表明:(1)不同坡度条件下(0...     

巫山县农村居民点分布与地形因子关系

以重庆市巫山县农村居民点为研究对象,基于分布指数和信息熵,探讨了不同高程、坡度、坡向、地形起伏度、坡度变率和高程变异系数6个地形因子各地形位梯度上农村居民点的分布特征;利用变维分形理论方法定量研究了地形因子对农村居民点分布及其发展的影响。结果表明:各地形条件上研究区农村居民点分布占主导地位的地形位分别为高程250~1 000m,坡度0°~25°,东南、南、西南和西北坡向,地形起伏度0~30m,坡度变率0°~9°,高程变异系数0~0.02;农村居民点的有序度与分布格局体现出高度关联性,在优势地形位上有序度较高;农村居民点与高程、地形起伏度、坡度变率和地形高程变异系数均呈现二阶累积和变维分形分布特征,与坡度、坡向分别呈一阶和三阶累积和分形分布。不同地形因子对研究区农村居民点的影响程度从大到小依次为坡度高程坡度变率地形起伏度高程变异系数坡向。     

水蚀过程中裸露陡坡耕地土壤侵蚀特征

在坡耕地上,农业耕作措施改变了地表微地形,对坡地土壤侵蚀过程产生影响。深入了解耕作措施对坡地土壤侵蚀的影响,以便为开展陡坡耕地退耕还林(草)工程的水土保持效益评价提供科学依据。以30°陡坡耕地为研究对象,采用室内人工模拟降雨试验方法,对采用人工锄耕、人工掏挖和等高耕作的裸坡地土壤侵蚀特征进行研究。用相同坡度平整坡地作为对照措施。降雨强度为60,90,120mm/h,降雨历时80min。结果表明:(1)在陡坡耕地上,在雨强为60,90mm/h时,3种耕作措施都具有延缓坡地产流的作用,但在雨强为120mm/h时,人工锄耕和人工掏挖坡地产流开始时间与平整坡地无显著差异(P0.05);(2)对采用等高耕作的陡坡地,在3个降雨强度下,累计产流量均低于平整坡地,但采用人工锄耕和人工掏挖的陡坡地与平整坡地相比并无明显规律;(3)在降雨强度为120mm/h时,耕作陡坡地地表径流含沙量较高,土壤侵蚀量是平整坡地的2~5倍。因此,在裸露陡坡耕地上,当降雨强度偏大时,采用农业耕作措施不仅不能降低土壤侵蚀发生,反而会增加。     

裸地雨滴溅蚀对坡面微地形的影响与变化特征

为了探讨溅蚀作用与坡面微地形之间的相互关系,该文通过模拟降雨试验方法,研究了黄土区坡耕地无植被条件下雨滴对坡面微地形的溅蚀作用与变化特征。微地形由不同的耕作管理措施形成,包括锄耕措施、掏挖措施和等高耕作措施,以平整坡面为对照措施。降雨强度分别为60,90和120mm/h。试验小区大小为0.5m2。用溅蚀板测定坡面向下和向上2个方向的溅蚀量。利用激光扫描仪测定微地形,并结合GIS技术建立大比例DEM(分辨率2cm)。结果表明,在耕作管理条件下,坡面微地形具有降低坡面溅蚀量的作用。微地形的变化特征主要表现为微坡度的变化,而微坡向对溅蚀作用的变化不敏感。因此,微坡度可以作为研究雨滴溅蚀作用与微地形变化的一个反映指标。     

基于GIS的坡耕地数字高程模型的建立与应用

微地形是描述地表起伏状态的重要指标,也是地表径流和土壤侵蚀过程的重要影响因子。在微尺度上建立了不同耕作措施下黄土坡耕地的数字高程模型（DEM）,并对其空间特征进行了分析。结果表明,利用反距离加权插值法建立的微DEM模型能正确地再现坡耕地地表形态,利用其派生的微坡度、微坡向数据可作为研究土壤侵蚀空间差异的重要因子;微坡度分布特征与耕作措施密切相关,对于人工锄耕（CH）和人工掏挖（TW）措施,微坡度栅格统计数随着微坡度的增大呈先增大,后减小的变化趋势,而等高耕作（DG）措施下微坡度栅格统计数随着微坡度的增大而     

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.