利用探地雷达低频天线监测滴灌棉田盐渍化土壤盐分迁移研究

盐渍化问题严重制约着新疆地区农业经济的发展,而掌握土壤盐分迁移情况是防治土壤盐渍化的前提。为更好地了解滴灌棉田盐渍化土壤盐分的迁移情况,本文选用一典型滴灌棉田为研究对象,采用探地雷达低频天线（250 MHz）进行土壤剖面的探测,由探地雷达图像中的信息,推测土壤盐分在垂直方向上的迁移情况,再用土壤剖面水盐动态、盐分通量变化等实际观测数据进行验证。结果表明:（1）当土壤盐分浓度具有一定梯度时,采用探地雷达低频天线收集的雷达图像中可以划分出盐分积累带、包气带和蒸发面。（2）在整个研究阶段盐分实际运移情况为先整体向上再整体向下。通过水盐动态和盐分通量等方式的验证,发现探地雷达图像中的蒸发面变化情况与实际盐分运移情况一致。因此,使用探地雷达低频天线监测滴灌棉田土壤盐分在垂直方向上的迁移情况是可行的,并且可以使用探地雷达中蒸发面的变化情况表征盐分的整体运移情况。探地雷达低频天线对蒸发面快速无损的识别,为防治盐分迁移导致的土壤盐渍化问题提供了新思路。     

1953-2010年黄土洼天然淤地坝内洪水沉积物粒度旋回特征

利用¹³⁷Cs断代技术进行沉积物的测年,结合1953年以来的降雨资料,对黄土洼天然聚湫坝淤地的水成沉积物粒度旋回特征进行了分析。结果表明,坝淤地4 m沉积物是在近百年内形成的,物源比较单一,主要为洪水沉积物;降雨是影响沉积物粒度的主要因素;淤地坝内洪水沉积物粒度以粗粉砂为主,中砂含量很少,没有粗砂;沉积物剖面具有良好的沉积层理,剖面粒度旋回至少记录了42次较大的洪水事件,不同期次洪水沉积物之间粒度变化明显,反映了该区近百年内年流域侵蚀和降水量的变化。     

利用宇宙成因核素10Be,26Al估算流域侵蚀速率的原理与应用

地表侵蚀是地貌演化的外营力。定量估算地表侵蚀速率,探讨其与构造活动,气候变化的响应和反馈是地学研究的重要课题之一。利用河流阶地沉积物或盆地沉积物宇宙成因核素（10Be and26Al）可获取流域万年尺度平均侵蚀速率时间序列,弥补了热年代学获得的百万年平均剥露速率和水文观测获得的年代级侵蚀速率之间的环节。地表及其附近岩石中的矿物的原子核受到来自外层宇宙空间的高能宇宙射线粒子的轰击,发生核反应而产生放射性核素,然后被快速埋藏,不再接受宇宙射线辐射。总体上,它们在地表的暴露时间短暂,宇生核素含量低,埋藏后宇生放射性核素随时间流逝而衰减。利用10Be和26Al估算流域古侵蚀速率基于此原理,通过测试河流沉积物或盆地沉积物的年代,结合10Be浓度,进而估算流域的平均侵蚀速率。应用宇生核素方法研究流域侵蚀速率,具有采样简便,精确度高,应用范围广等优势,可以反映更大时间尺度和更广空间尺度上的侵蚀速率变化情况,利用10Be和26Al等核素方法对第四纪至全新世的地表演化进行研究正成为一种重要的研究方法。     

露天矿区排土场复垦地土壤容重差异、GPR特征识别与反演

为揭示复垦地不同剖面土壤容重的总体特征和深度差异,以中煤平朔安太堡露天矿南排土场为研究对象,基于探地雷达(GPR)图像特征分析土壤容重差异,构建介电常数与土壤容重之间的关系。分析方法采用环刀采样称重法、探地雷达探测法、方差分析法、拟合分析法等。结果表明:矿区排土场平台土壤容重大于边坡,边坡坡度越大,土壤容重越小。在土壤含水率较小时,各个剖面0～30 cm处有较多大振幅信号,土壤容重较小,探地雷达信号图上大振幅信号的多少与土壤容重大小成反比。土壤容重随介电常数的增大而呈线性增加趋势,且二者拟合后的R~2值达0.813 9,相伴概率小于0.01。研究表明,矿区排土场不同位置及同一剖面不同深度土壤容重大小差异明显,通过探地雷达可对土壤容重差异进行分析。     

低坡度农业流域悬移质及养分流失规律研究

通过研究伊利诺斯州中部河流源头的一个支流附近的泥沼中悬移质沉积物的来源,预测低坡度流域沉积物情况及养分运输方式。根据该流域的沉积物和营养元素含量分析得出的硝酸盐浓度,超过美国环境保护局水质标准,得出的磷浓度足以促进藻类生长,降低伊利诺斯州的水质量。本研究的土地负载沉积物函数、泥沼的河槽形态适用于美国伊利诺斯州中部桑加蒙河61.3 km~2的流域。潜在的沉积物来源包括侵蚀严重的区域,河漫滩,牧场,草地、农田及弯曲的河岸。大多数的降雨会汇集在砖砌排水沟内,然而在水流流出排水沟到达岸边浅滩时对河岸的侵蚀非常严重,本研究利用一系列示踪剂(C~(13),P,Mg,Mn,和C)来明确沉积物来源,再利用分离模型估算出每个源对悬疑质沉积物的影响。研究表明悬浮泥沙主要来自河道岸边(40%~65%)和森林(35%~55%),很少来自农业高地(10%或更少)。高地的起伏地形和河道中砖砌排水沟导致来自高地和河道的沉积物量低。研究表明,防治河道侵蚀的重点应该放在弯曲的河段上。在类似的弯曲河道地区可利用限制河岸附近肥料使用程度、数量及种植抗侵蚀的植被来降低流入河道的营养元素量,从而达到预期的效果。     

潮土区农田土体构型层次的探地雷达无损探测试验

为探究探地雷达对自然土壤土体构型进行快速无损探测的可行性,该文首先利用基于时域有限差分法的Gpr Max2D软件模拟4种具有不同介电特性差异的土壤层次的土体模型,识别雷达电磁波在具有不同土壤介电特性差异的土壤层次中传播时反射波振幅和相位的客观变化规律;然后于2016年在位于黄淮海平原潮土区的河北省曲周县选择夹黏型和底漏型2种土壤层次较明显的农田土体构型进行GPR探测试验,并挖掘土壤剖面,通过雷达图像处理软件和MATLAB编程处理雷达图像并提取波形数据,根据模拟获取的规律进行土壤层次识别,对比探测层厚与实际剖面层厚。研究结果显示,雷达电磁波在不同介质分界面处发生反射,两侧介电特性差异越大,反射波振幅越大;上层介质介电常数小于下层会发生正反射,反之发生负反射;实测波形比模拟波形杂乱;通过电磁波振幅和相位变化识别层次界面清晰的夹黏型土体构型中较厚层次的厚度的相对误差(9%)要小于识别层次界面不清晰的底漏型土体构型各层厚度的相对误差(9%);可识别的层次界面反射系数均大于0.02,两侧土壤具有较大介电特性差异;通过客观判读依据可以判别农田潮土的层次结构,但层次界面的整齐清晰程度、界面两侧介电特性差异程度和相邻层次的厚度大小影响着探地雷达探测效果。该文可以为相关研究提供参考,为实现土体构型这一重要耕地质量指标的快速监测提供借鉴。     

黄土坡面侵蚀过程实验研究

伴随着黄土坡面上的产流产沙过程，黄土坡面形态亦在经历一个迅速变化的过程。该文主要研究坡面平面形态及其剖面形态的变化与侵蚀类型及微地貌形态的关系。对于 具有特殊意义的平衡状态下的坡面侵蚀机理之探讨，该文结合前文听阁类过程对面蚀与沟蚀机理分别进行了研究，从而初步提示了黄土坡面侵蚀过程中坡面形态变化的机理。     

基于地形剖面线的陕北黄土高原地貌信息熵差分析

[目的]计算黄土高原地貌评价指标和剖面上高程数据信息熵,用以拟合地形起伏,评价地形,为地貌研究提供新理论依据。[方法]通过对研究区域进行剖面分析,获取地形剖面线,利用高程数据计算不同地貌类型中剖面线信息熵,绘制地形剖面线图和地形剖面线信息熵图,用来检验和评价地貌信息熵对地形的表达效果,统计两者离散程度指标,通过线性拟合找出两者相关性指标。[结果]将两图进行对比分析,发现两图走势具有一定的相似性,采用统计指标作为指示器,结果表明高程曲线与信息熵曲线具有较强的相关性,采用侵蚀模数验证,表明信息熵在表示地貌起伏或侵蚀方面具有可靠性。[结论]地貌信息熵可以用来模拟地形,且模拟效果良好,可以用于评价地貌类型。     

山地农业与水土保持相关产业的地位和配置

对全新世古水土流失与古人类活动相互影响的研究方法进行了讨论和实践。借鉴第四纪环境学的研究手段，利用古人类活动区域周围的河流、湖泊沉积物及坡脚堆积物，可以获得古水土流失的信息：在一定条件下，沉积物中孢粉数量的减少或草本植被的相对增加、磁化率的增大、迁移能力较弱的元素及化合物在沉积物中的富集，或沉积物分选差、粒度增大等，都可能指示着古水土流失的发生。通过对辽西大凌河剖面的孢粉分析，指出红山文化遗址堆积较薄且分布稀疏,可能与古水土流失加剧有关。     

宁夏灌区湿地沉积物营养盐和重金属垂向分布特征

湿地是灌区农业面源污染物的汇集地,沉积物中的营养盐和重金属含量是指示水体营养状况的地球化学指标之一。该文分析了宁夏黄灌区湿地沉积物剖面中TOC、TN、TP、Zn、Cu含量的垂向分布特征,并与湿地周围农田、排水沟和猪场排污口沉积物相应层次元素的含量进行了比较。结果表明,湿地沉积物剖面中TOC、TN垂向分布规律相似,在0-50cm有富集,湿地沉积物中TOC的含量是农田和排水沟的5～7倍、是猪场排污口的2.4倍,湿地沉积物中TN的含量是农田和排水沟的3倍左右,是猪场排污口的1.24倍。湿地沉积物中TP的含量与农田、排水沟土壤剖面中的含量差别不大,但远低于猪场排污口。湿地沉积物中Zn的含量小于农田、排水沟和猪场排污口,Cu的含量高于农田和排水沟但远低于猪场排污口。湿地沉积物剖面中TP、Zn、Cu垂向分布规律相似,在湿地入口处0-10cm表层有富集,10cm以下基本均匀分布,且在湿地腹地整个剖面基本均匀分布。湿地沉积物中TOC、TN、TP间均存在显著相关性,湿地沉积物剖面中的TOC、TN、TP与农田土壤剖面中相应层次元素的含量呈显著线性相关关系。湿地沉积物表层明显有TOC、TN、TP、Zn、Cu的富集,由于元素本身化学性质和来源影响的差异,在沉积物剖面中富集的深度不同,农田退水携带的营养型污染物及养殖排污是湿地沉积物的主要来源之一。     

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.