滨海湿地土壤盐离子对植物群落的响应研究

对黄河三角洲柽柳、碱蓬、芦苇、棉田4种群落土壤剖面可溶性盐离子差异进行了分析,结果表明:(1)土壤全盐在0~10cm土层含量大小表现为柽柳碱蓬芦苇棉田,在20cm以下土壤全盐含量为碱蓬柽柳芦苇棉田,这与碱蓬对Na~+、Cl~-吸收能力较强有关。(2)变异分析反映了阳离子、阴离子含量受不同植被类型的影响,柽柳群落以Mg~(2+)的变异系数最大,碱蓬群落以CO_3~(2-)的变异系数最大,芦苇群落以SO_4~(2-)的变异系数最大,棉田群落以Cl~-的变异系数最大。(3)Cl~-、K~+、Mg~(2+)、Na~+与土壤中全盐的含量呈显著性相关,且Cl~-与土壤全盐呈显著线性关系,能作为反映土壤全盐变化的重要指标。     

黄河三角洲植被群落和土壤酶活性对湿地退化的响应

在黄河三角洲地区,由于油田开发、人类活动增多以及环境变化,滨海湿地发生了局部退化.为了探讨湿地退化的机制,在该地区选择典型湿地进行了植被调查和土壤性状分析.结果表明,植被基本是由白茅→柽柳→碱蓬→到光板地进行演替的.在湿地演替过程中.光板地、碱蓬群落、柽柳群落土壤有机质含量与白茅群落相比,分别降低了81.0%,67.4%,59.5%,全氮含量则分别降低了61.1%,59.6%,41.2%,速效P含量分别降低了19.5%,7.9%和4.7%.同样,演替不同阶段的土壤酶活性从白茅群落→光板地,脲酶、过氧化氢酶活性也逐渐降低,盐分含量则逐渐提高.这说明植被的演变与湿地退化几乎是同步响应的.土壤盐碱化,加快了植物群落的退化演替,植物的退化又反作用于土壤,使土壤的理化性状向着不利于植物生长的方向转化,二者相辅相成,紧密联系.土壤水盐运动是盐渍土演变过程的核心,也是影响湿地植被演替的重要因素.     

黄河三角洲植被演替过程种群生态位变化研究

对黄河三角洲天然湿地陆生植被和水生植被两种演替序列的种群生态位宽度和生态位重叠进行了调查研究。结果表明: 陆生植被经过翅碱蓬群落、碱蓬柽柳群落、柽柳群落、白茅群落的演替过程, 每个阶段优势种的生态位宽度都较大。翅碱蓬群落阶段优势种翅碱蓬的生态位宽度达9.99, 碱蓬柽柳群落阶段碱蓬的生态位宽度为9.72, 柽柳群落阶段柽柳的生态位宽度为9.20, 白茅群落阶段白茅的生态位宽度为9.31。水生植被的演替序列为眼子菜金鱼藻群落(沉水植物)阶段、浮萍水鳖群落(浮水植物)阶段、芦苇水烛群落(挺水植物)阶段和杞柳芦苇群落(湿生植物)阶段, 沉水植物阶段优势种眼子菜的生态位宽度为8.62, 浮水植物阶段优势种浮萍生态位宽度为9.23, 挺水植物阶段优势种芦苇的生态位宽度为8.59, 湿生植物阶段优势种杞柳生态位宽度为7.45。生态位宽度计测结果较好地对应着各种群在群落中的地位和作用, 生态位宽度在演替系列中的动态也较好地反映了种群在群落演替过程的数量动态。各演替阶段生态位重叠计算结果表明, 各阶段种群间的生态位重叠值低, 每一阶段内种群间有较高的生态位重叠     

艾比湖湿地不同植物群落下土壤水盐空间变异性

以艾比湖湿地为研究区,运用传统统计学和地统计学相结合的方法对4种典型植物群落下土壤水盐含量变化进行了研究。结果表明:(1)4种植物群落中,碱蓬群落、盐节木群落和梭梭群落土壤含盐量呈中等变异,而芦苇群落土壤水盐则呈现较强的差异性(2)随着土层深度的增加,盐节木群落和梭梭群落中土壤含水量差异性不大,碱蓬群落和芦苇群落则呈下降趋势,而对于土壤盐分,除梭梭群落外,其余3种植物群落各土层盐分呈降低趋势,且表层盐分含量相对较高(3)在空间结构性分析中,不同植物群落下土壤含水量和盐分在一定区域范围内空间特结构性显著,能较好地满足高斯模型分布,由于受气候、距湖距离、湖面积波动及土壤类型等因素作用,4种植物群落中土壤含水量和盐分均具有较强的空间自相关性(4)对土壤水盐含量变化的相关性分析中,4种植物群落下土壤水盐含量与其关联性都相对较小,其中碱蓬群落和芦苇群落呈正相关关系,盐节木群落和梭梭群落呈负相关关系。总体来说,碱蓬群落和芦苇群落土壤水盐总变异趋势大于梭梭群落和盐节木群落,说明距湖远近对土壤水盐空间变化有一定的影响。     

胶州湾滨海湿地土壤的盐渍化特征

[目的]了解胶州湾滨海湿地土壤盐渍化特征,为胶州湾滨海湿地保护和区域土壤盐渍化防治提供科学依据。[方法]在胶州湾选取芦苇、碱蓬、光滩及大米草4种典型滨海湿地分层采集土壤样品,通过测定土壤pH值、电导率和主要盐离子浓度开展研究。[结果]胶州湾滨海湿地土壤盐分含量表现由低到高依次为:芦苇湿地碱蓬湿地光滩湿地大米草湿地,盐渍化类型呈现由滨海硫酸盐—氯化物型向氯化物盐渍化土类型过渡的特征;垂直方向上,大米草湿地和芦苇湿地具有表层积盐特征,碱蓬和光滩湿地则呈现出下层稍高趋势。除CO_3~(2-)(和HCO_3~-离子以外,胶州湾滨海湿地土壤主要盐离子含量均呈现出与全盐量、电导率一致的规律,主要盐离子浓度从高到低依次为:Cl~-Na~++K~+SO_4~(2-)Mg~(2+)HCO_3~-Ca~(2+)。[结论]胶州湾滨海湿地土壤属于极重度盐化土,呈现自芦苇湿地向大米草湿地方向递增趋势;土壤碱度上属非碱化土,与土壤含盐量呈相反趋势,但植被易受苏打碱化土的潜在毒害作用。     

黄河三角洲盐生植被演替与土壤细菌群落结构的关系

研究黄河三角洲光板地和4种盐生植被(翅碱蓬、獐茅、白茅和罗布麻)下土壤细菌群落组成,揭示其与盐生植被演替的关系。利用细菌16S r DNA基因文库方法,构建系统发育树,在5个文库中各挑选180个阳性克隆子进行序列测定,并对数据进行统计分析。从光板地、翅碱蓬、獐茅、白茅和罗布麻5个文库中分别得到121、132、150、159、155条有效序列。重盐土壤(翅碱蓬土壤、獐茅土壤)细菌有着最高的Shannon指数和最低的Simpson优势度指数。土壤中检测到变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)等,共8门。其中变形菌门在5种土样中相对丰度为21.06%,拟杆菌门为11.16%,其他细菌相对丰度皆未超过10%。5种覆被类型下土壤细菌在种群组成上差异明显,但均匀度与丰富度差异较小,变形菌为所研究5种土壤中的优势菌群。当盐生植被处于相同演替阶段时,土壤细菌群落结构具有更大相似性;在不同演替阶段时,土壤细菌群落结构差别较大。     

基于高通量测序技术研究土壤细菌对盐生植被演替的响应

采用高通量测序技术探究黄河三角洲光板地和4种盐生植被(翅碱蓬、獐茅、白茅和罗布麻)下土壤细菌群落结构及分布特征,以期揭示其与盐生植被演替的关系。5个土壤样本共获得31976条有效序列,分类得到27门、62纲、78目、196科、569属的细菌。变形菌门是盐生植被样地的优势门,相对丰度为36.4~53.2%;而拟杆菌门是光板地的优势门,相对丰度为46.2%。随盐生植被正向演替,土壤质量和细菌群落多样性和丰富度有不断升高的趋势,且OTU数、ACE指数和Shannon指数与土壤有机碳呈显著正相关。RDA分析显示,獐茅和白茅土壤细菌组成相近,其余样地细菌组成差异较大。随着盐生植被正向演替,影响土壤细菌群落的主导理化因素由电导率逐渐转为有机碳、活性有机碳和碱解氮。     

桂西北喀斯特人为干扰区植被自然恢复与土壤养分变化

为促进桂西北喀斯特退化生态系统的恢复与重建,采用全面调查和样方调查方法,以自然保护区的顶级群落为对照,研究了桂西北喀斯特人为干扰区自然恢复22a后植被的演替规律与土壤养分变化。结果表明,干扰区物种丧失严重,种类仅有自然保护区的26.6%,随着群落由草丛→草灌丛→灌丛→藤刺灌丛→乔灌丛→顶级群落的顺向演替和发展,群落的高度、生物量和物种多样性、土壤有机质、养分、阳离子交换量和硅、铁、铝、钛等矿质全量逐步增加,钙、镁全量显著减少,pH值降低,土壤质量随着植被的恢复呈波折性提高。     

黄土丘陵区典型草地演替中植物群落特征与土壤储水量关系

[目的]阐明草地植被演替过程中植被生产力、植物多样性等生态学特征与土壤储水量的关系,为探明黄土高原地区植被恢复的生态环境效应提供一定的科学依据。[方法]采用时空互代的方法对宁夏回族自治区固原市云雾山保护区自然恢复3,8,13,46,66,89a的样地进行取样,分析0—100cm土层土壤储水量的分布及其与地上地下植物生物量、物种多样性的关系。[结果]随着草地演替的进行,植被群落盖度、生物量和物种多样性指数在恢复13a之前显著增加,之后渐趋稳定;土壤含水量逐渐增加,容重逐渐降低。植被群落演替对0—40cm土层土壤储水量没有显著影响,但演替后期对40cm以下土层水分有明显消耗。植被群落生物量及物种多样性指标与表层0—10cm水分呈显著正相关。[结论]草地演替过程中,植被群落生物量和物种多样性的增加与表层土壤储水能力的提升密切相关,但深层根系生物量的增加对下层土壤储水的消耗也逐渐增大。     

昌邑海洋生态特别保护区土壤养分的空间异质性与植物群落的分布

2009年9月对昌邑海洋生态特别保护区进行调查研究,分析了土壤水分、盐分、养分（有机质、氮和磷）等要素的空间异质性及其与植被群落生态分布的相互关系。结果表明,土壤含水率与可溶性盐、有机质之间,以及可溶性盐和有机质之间均在0.01水平上显著相关;有机质与全氮在0.05水平上显著正相关,与全磷的相关性不显著。从陆向海方向,土壤含水率和可溶性盐含量升高,有机质含量降低,群落组成种类减少,群落盖度降低;由以狗尾草为优势种多种植物伴生的杂草群落演变成单一的柽柳、碱蓬群落,最后耐盐大的翅碱蓬成为群落的单优势种,物种的丰富度和多样性均显著降低。     

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.