云浮地区雾、霾的时空特征分析

根据云浮市四个气象观测站(云浮站、罗定站、新兴站、郁南站)1965—2012年的雾霾日数统计资料,采用滑动平均、线性趋势分析等统计方法,分析云浮地区雾霾的时空变化特征。结果表明,近48 a云浮地区雾霾平均出现次数以郁南县最多,2000年之后大值中心明显向东南方向——云浮、新兴一带偏移;雾霾出现频次总体呈现增加趋势;雾霾天主要发生在冬季,最多出现在12月或1月,夏季最少,最少出现在5月或6月。另外,对2000—2012年间霾出现频次进行分析,发现霾出现频次最多地区是云浮市区,且主要发生冬季,1月份最多,其次为春季,夏季最少。     

锡林浩特市日照时数的气候变化特征分析

利用锡林浩特市50a(1961-2010)日照时数以及总云量、低云量、降水量和水汽压等资料,采用气候倾向率分析其变化趋势,利用滑动T检验法和累积距平结合的方法进行突变分析,并根据各气象要素的年、季变化趋势及其与日照时数变化趋势的对应关系对日照时数变化原因进行分析。结果表明,锡林浩特市年日照时数呈极显著增加趋势(P<0.01);从年代际变化看,20世纪60-90年代,年均日照时数呈持续增加趋势,90年代达到最大,进入21世纪后,年均日照时数则明显减少;四季中夏季日照时数呈极显著增加趋势(P<0.01)。各季日照时数偏少期为20世纪60-70年代,偏多期为80年代-21世纪初;各月日照时数均呈波动上升趋势,增加最多的为8月;年日照时数在1985年发生了由少到多的突变,季日照时数发生突变是导致年突变的原因,尤以春季和夏季最为显著;云量是决定日照时数增加的重要原因之一,日照时数增加还与夏季、冬季水汽压以及夏季和秋季降水量密切相关。     

三峡库区气象干旱演变特征及致灾因子危险性评价

近年来三峡库区干旱灾害发生的强度和频率呈现加剧趋势,因此识别干旱的时空特征及致灾因子危险性,对于区域干旱预警和防旱减灾具有重要意义。利用三峡库区及周边地区18个气象站1960—2015年共56年的降水资料,采用标准化降水指数(SPI),运用游程理论和Mann-Kendall检验法分析了气象干旱时空演变特征,并进一步评估了三峡库区干旱致灾因子危险性。结果表明:(1)三峡库区年尺度的SPI值呈现平缓下降趋势,整体趋向全域干旱化,1989年为突变年;(2)各季节干旱站次比变化不大,总体呈缓慢上升趋势;夏、秋季干旱强度表现为上升趋势,春、冬季则相反;四季中,干旱强度和干旱站次比增幅最为显著的是秋季;干旱强度按冬、春、夏和秋季的顺序依次减小;(3)各季节SPI值存在明显的空间差异性,春季三峡库区东北部SPI值呈下降趋势,而西南部总体表现为不显著上升趋势,夏季则与春季相反;秋季全域化干旱趋势较为显著;冬季中西部SPI值呈不显著下降趋势,而东北地区呈现不显著上升趋势;(4)春、夏、秋季干旱频率较低的地区主要分布在三峡库区东北部,干旱频率较高地区则呈现显著的空间差异,冬季则相反;干旱频率大小随春、夏、秋和冬季逐渐增大;(5)三峡库区季尺度干旱危险性空间分布整体表现为中等和较低级别,春、夏季危险性等级总体处于中、低危险性,秋、冬季则整体呈现为中等危险性。秋、春、冬和夏季干旱致灾危险性依次递减。研究结果可为三峡库区水资源管理和干旱风险评估提供参考依据。     

呼伦湖流域近55年气候变化特征

收集了呼伦湖流域1960—2014年的逐日气温、降水、蒸发和相对湿度数据,提取了包括年平均、季节平均值及极端天气等9个指标,采用Mann-Kendall趋势检验、线性倾向估计法以及5a滑动平均等方法在年和季节尺度上分析了该地区的气候变化趋势,并利用Pearson相关系数探究这四个气象要素之间的相关性。结果表明:(1)年气温显著上升,降水变化不显著,蒸发显著减少,相对湿度显著降低,气候向暖干化方向发展。(2)春夏秋季温度、蒸发和相对湿度的变化趋势与年相同,最大升温速率发生在春季,每十年上升0.43℃,冬季变化均不显著。(3)平均降水和极端降水在冬春季节都显著增加,然而夏季降水以最大幅度减少,并且夏季持续时间较长的极端降水减少显著。(4)夏季气温升高最显著,相对湿度显著降低,容易发生干旱。冬季极端降水增多则可能导致雪灾加剧。     

1960-2017年黄土高原地区风速时空变化特征

[目的]揭示黄土高原地区风速时空变化特征,为区域防灾减灾提供参考。[方法]基于黄土高原59个气象站1960—2017年逐月风速实测数据,采用线性回归、Mann-Kendall检验和滑动t检验等方法,对黄土高原地区历年及四季风速的时空变化趋势进行了研究。[结果](1) 1960—2017年黄土高原年均风速以-0.007 5 m/(s·a)速率显著下降,春季降幅最大,其次为冬、秋季,夏季降幅最小;年内月平均风速先升后降,4月风速下降最快,7月下降最慢。(2)黄土高原历年及夏、秋、冬季风速均在1980s突变减少,春季平均风速未发生突变,冬季风速突变后较突变前降幅最大,秋季最小。(3)黄土高原历年均风速、历年及四季风速变率均表现出西北高、东南低的特征,站点呈下降趋势的春季最多,夏季最少。(4) AO指数的上升、气候变暖及地表植被覆盖增加等,可能不同程度地造成黄土高原风速长期下降趋势。[结论]黄土高原区应将春季作为防风御风重点时段,将西北部地区作为重点防御地区,增强防灾减灾能力建设。     

近55年渭河流域气温演变规律分析

利用渭河流域16个气象站点1954-2008年近55a气象资料,采用线性回归、Mann-Kendall检验、Pettitt及Morlet小波分析等方法,对渭河流域年及各季节平均气温的变化趋势、突变特征和周期性等演变规律进行分析.结果表明,(1)在95％的置信区间下,渭河流域年及各季节平均气温均表现为显著上升趋势,其中冬季气温上升最显著.(2)多年平均气温空间分布存在不均衡性,年平均气温以西安站为中心向外呈辐射递减.(3)年及各季平均气温存在明显的突变点,1993年为该流域大的气温转折年.(4)流域气温变化存在多个特征时间尺度,其中年平均气温具有3、7、23和55a左右的主周期,以55a左右周期相位变化最显著.除夏季外,其余季节与年平均气温相位变化时间尺度大体一致.研究成果可为分析渭河流域气候变化及其未来气候预测提供参考.     

毛乌素沙地微地形对土壤凝结水分布的影响

为研究毛乌素沙地微地形对土壤凝结水分布的影响,在宁夏盐池荒漠生态系统定位观测站进行野外试验,以当地典型微地形—沙丘为研究对象,采用微渗仪称重法测量沙丘各观测点的凝结水量,同步观测各观测点的气象因子,研究凝结水在沙丘不同坡位的分布及受气象因子影响的变化规律。结果表明:雨前各坡位凝结速率和日均凝结水量均显著低于雨后(P≤0.05)。雨前各坡位的凝结速率差异不显著,平均凝结速率为0.007mm/h,阴坡和阳坡日均凝结水量均随坡位的升高而减小,且与坡位高度呈显著的线性相关关系(P≤0.05),雨前阳坡的日均凝结水量为0.073mm,多于阴坡的0.059mm,坡顶的凝结水量最少(0.041mm)。雨后阴坡的凝结速率和凝结水量随坡位的升高而增多(不包括坡顶),阳坡的凝结速率和凝结水量日均值随坡位的升高而减少,凝结水量与坡位的高度呈显著线性负相关关系(P≤0.05)。雨后阴坡的日均凝结水量为0.310mm,高于阳坡的0.259mm,坡顶的日均凝结水量最少(0.151mm)。雨后,随着时间的推移,各坡位的日凝结水量先增多后减少,第3日凝结水量最多,此后凝结水量逐渐减少,直至趋于稳定。研究结果可为毛乌素沙地的土壤水分平衡和水资源评价提供理论依据,并为该地区的生态恢复提供重要理论支撑。     

新疆阿勒泰地区20cm蒸发皿蒸发量的变化特征

利用新疆阿勒泰地区7个气象台站1964-2001年连续38a的20cm口径蒸发皿资料,运用线性趋势法、Mann-Kendall法对该地区蒸发皿蒸发量的年代际变化趋势和突变情况进行了研究。结果表明:整个地区平均而言,20世纪70年代的年平均蒸发皿蒸发量最高,此后逐年代下降,大部分站点的年代际变化趋势与全区一致,东部有两站不同;夏季平均蒸发量最大、春季次之,冬季最少;除冬季外,平均季蒸发量与年变化一致。年平均及春、夏、秋季蒸发皿蒸发量呈波动变化状态,冬季呈显著的上升趋势。空间分析表明,夏秋季大部分站的蒸发皿蒸发量呈显著下降趋势,个别站呈显著上升趋势;冬季大部分站呈显著上升趋势,春季大部站变化不明显。突变检测表明,该地区年及夏秋季蒸发皿蒸发量80年代中期有一次明显的突变,春、冬季突变不明显。各站及不同季节趋势变化和突变时间的不同步,表明气候变化在不同的地区和季节会有不同的体现。     

气候暖干化对半干旱区马铃薯水分利用效率的影响

基于1988~2013年黄土高原半干旱区马铃薯栽培定位试验,结合试验区域气象站1957~2013年气候要素观测资料,开展气候暖干化对黄土高原半干旱区马铃薯水分利用效率的影响研究。结果表明,1957~2013年试验区降水量呈下降趋势,气候倾向率为-10.219 mm(10a)~(-1);20世纪60年代降水量偏多,90年代降水量最少,降水量减少最多的季节为秋季。气温呈显著上升趋势,气候倾向率为0.228℃(10a)~(-1),20世纪80年代之后气温明显上升。试验区马铃薯水分利用效率呈显著下降趋势,气候倾向率为-25.602 kg hm~(-2)mm-1(10a)~(-1)。马铃薯水分利用率与6月上、中旬气温、7月上旬气温、8月下旬气温呈显著负相关,气温增高导致产量下降,水分利用效率降低。水分利用率与6月上旬降水量和9月中旬日照时数呈显著正相关。气候暖干对马铃薯发育和产量形成的负效应增加,马铃薯产量形成的不确定性因素也呈增加趋势。     

近52年黑龙江省不同级别降水特征分析

利用黑龙江省28个气象站点1959—2010年逐日降水资料,采用气候倾向率、ArcGIS中的反距离加权插值等方法分析了黑龙江省不同级别降水日数、降水量和降水强度的气候特征及变化趋势。结果表明:近52a来,黑龙江省年平均降水量呈微弱的减少趋势,雨量的减少主要是由于夏季微雨和小雨雨量显著减少;降水强度呈显著减弱趋势,主要是源于微雨和小雨降水强度的减少;年雨日数及四季(夏季除外)的雨日数均呈增加趋势。雨日的增加主要是由于微雨、小雨及中雨日数显著增加;降水量空间分布特征总体表现为中部最多,南部其次,西部和北部相对较少。     

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.