中国农业源温室气体排放与减排技术对策

农业是重要的温室气体排放源。该文通过对文献资料和大量研究结果进行分析,得出中国农业活动产生的甲烷和氧化亚氮分别占全国甲烷和氧化亚氮排放量的50.15%和92.47%,农业源占全国温室气体排放总量的17%;通过改善反刍动物营养可降低单个肉牛甲烷排放15%～30%;推广稻田间歇灌溉可减少单位面积稻田甲烷排放30%;一个户用沼气每年最大可减少温室气体2.0～4.1 t二氧化碳当量;推行缓释肥、长效肥料可减少单位面积农田氧化亚氮50%～70%。该文建议尽快开展减排技术示范,对减排技术的适应性和经济性进行评价。     

北京地区畜禽温室气体排放的时空变化分析

运用IPCC估算农业温室气体排放指南, 对1978-2009年期间畜禽存栏统计数据进行分析, 研究北京地区畜禽养殖温室气体排放的时空分布。结果表明, 北京地区畜禽温室气体排放自20世纪90年代初逐步增长, 到2004年达到顶峰, 之后有所回落。在3类排放的温室气体中, 牲畜肠道发酵产生的甲烷比重最大, 年平均排放量为0.4 Tg CO2-eq, 排放贡献最大的是牛, 占肠道发酵甲烷排放总量的54%; 牲畜粪便排放的甲烷平均值为0.2 Tg CO2-eq, 牲畜粪便排放的氧化亚氮平均值为0.3 Tg CO2-eq, 畜禽粪便管理排放的甲烷和氧化亚氮主要来自猪的排放, 其贡献率分别为73%和46%。从1978-2009年北京畜禽温室气体排放CR4指数(产业集中度指数)逐步增高可以看出, 北京市畜禽产业集约化水平不断提高, 其中顺义、大兴、密云和通州是北京畜禽温室气体排放的主要区域。同时, 对历年畜禽温室气体排放进行了线形回归预测, 结果显示, 北京地区的畜禽温室气体排放仍呈递增走势。结合北京地区畜禽产业温室气体排放的特点与存在问题, 笔者认为应尽快提出适合畜牧业可持续发展的温室气体减排策略及减排目标, 开展温室气体减排技术研发, 从而推进畜禽产业的可持续发展。     

中国畜牧业温室气体排放的脱钩与预测分析

面对日益严峻的温室气体排放形势,中国做出到2030年左右二氧化碳排放达到峰值的承诺,其中畜牧业成为重要减排领域,因此,研究中国畜牧业温室气体排放现状及趋势尤为必要。基于2000-2014年省级面板数据,在参考《省级温室气体排放清单指南》测算畜牧业温室气体排放量基础上,借助Tapio脱钩模型分析畜牧业温室气体排放与经济发展之间的关系,采用LMDI模型分解其影响因素,并构建不同情景对2020年畜牧业温室气体排放目标进行分析。研究结果表明：畜牧业温室气体排放量总体呈下降趋势,非奶牛减排明显,是下降主因,但其仍处于50%水平之上,排放量达18 180.54万t;羊、生猪、奶牛排放量增加,分别为7 072.56万t、6 202.69万t、4 359.97万t。畜牧业温室气体排放脱钩效应比较理想,全国以弱脱钩状态为主,但经历波动变化、相对平稳、持续上升3个发展阶段,脱钩状态不稳定。综合效应在国家层面呈倒“U”型特征,但在省份间差异明显;生产效率效应是国家和省份减排的最大贡献者,经济发展效应则是增排的最主要推动因素;综合效应差异主要来自产业结构效应和劳动力效应的不同。2020年畜牧业温室气体排放远超管控目标,预测区间端点值分别超过目标12.84%和34.71%,减排压力大。因此,应调整产业结构,适当进口畜产品;针对不同地区脱钩状态差别化治理,提高养殖效率;明确畜牧业减排目标,分解管控任务。     

利用整体分析法研究华北地区奶牛产业温室气体排放

为了研究奶牛产业生产效率对温室气体排放的影响,对单位牛奶产量所产生的温室气体(甲烷、氧化亚氮和二氧化碳)进行科学的评估是非常重要的。在该研究中,利用整体分析方法评估了2012年华北地区奶牛产业的总温室气体排放以及单位牛奶的温室气体排放。估算的排放源包括奶牛胃肠道发酵以及粪便管理系统产生的温室气体(greenhouse gas,GHG)排放、奶牛饲养过程中耗能所带来的GHG排放、饲养奶牛所需作物种植管理过程中以及所需农业机械设备制造所产生的GHG排放、化学肥料生产和施用所来的GHG排放。估算方法采用政府间气候变化专门委员会(IPCC,Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)评估报告中的方法学以及相关文献的研究成果。研究结果表明:在华北地区奶牛产业系统中总温室气体排放量为22437.85×103t。甲烷(CH4)是主要的排放源,为8516.53×103 t,其中奶牛胃肠道排放占84%,粪便管理系统占16%;氧化亚氮(N2O)排放为6240.27×103 t,二氧化碳(CO2)排放为7681.05×103 t。基于排放强度,得出单位牛奶的平均温室气体排放量为1.3 kg/kg。     

重庆市畜禽粪便排放时空分布研究

以重庆市直辖前(1995、1996年)和直辖后(2000、2001年)畜禽养殖数据为基准,研究重庆市各区(市、县)畜禽的年粪便排放量,并从时间和空间上分析重庆市畜禽粪便年排放量的变化趋势。结果表明,1995、1996、2000、2001年畜禽粪尿总排放量为7455.03万t、7831.56万t、7223.84万t、7421.52万t;猪粪当量分别为6954.84万t、7419.62万t、6433.5万t、6748.02万t;畜禽粪便中平均年有机质排放量为794.45万t、N43.27万t、P23.36万t、K45.51万t。重庆市畜禽粪便负荷、猪粪当量负荷和有机质、N、P、K负荷分布以近郊为重,而畜禽粪便年排放量、猪粪当量及有机质、N、P、K量却是位于三峡库区的区、县量较大;直辖前后畜禽粪便年排放量及猪粪当量、猪粪当量负荷、N、P、K排放总量及负荷相差不明显。     

中国规模化养殖场畜禽粪便资源沼气生产潜力评价

为探明中国规模化养殖场畜禽粪便排放量、沼气生产潜力及其分布情况,该文利用2009年统计数据,确定了中国畜禽粪便年排放量估算方法和各种估算参数,估算中国主要畜禽年粪尿排放量、产沼气潜力和温室气体减排潜力。结果表明,2009年中国规模化养殖畜禽粪便排放总量约8.37亿t,年沼气生产潜力约为472.1亿m3,减排潜力为1.9亿t CO2。生猪、奶牛和肉牛养殖是中国畜禽粪便的主要来源,粪便排放主要在东北、华北和西北等北方地区。这可为中国规模化养殖场治理污染提供决策依据。     

畜牧业温室气体排放影响因素及其减排研究

全球变暖是人类共同关注的话题,其中仅由畜牧业引起的温室气体排放量占全球总排放量的18%,成为导致全球变暖的主要因素之一,因而对畜牧业温室气体排放机制及其影响因子的研究具有十分重要的意义。本文对动物肠道甲烷排放、动物粪便管理系统甲烷及氧化亚氮排放研究进展进行了综述,并在分析不同方法估算我国畜牧业温室气体排放量的基础上,针对各排放因子提出了相应的减排措施。     

河南省畜禽养殖粪便年排放量估算

基于河南省2008年畜牧业统计年报数据和各种估算参数,估算了河南省2008年主要畜禽粪便排放总量及其有机质、氮、磷、钾含量。结果表明,河南省2008年主要畜禽粪便排放总量为18329.5万t,尿排放总量为9790.8万t,折算成氮169.84万t、磷96.33万t、钾142.93万t。不同畜禽中,生猪的畜禽粪便排放量最高,占河南省排放总量的39.5%;其次为肉牛,占排放总量的27.0%。尿的排放总量构成中,生猪的排放量最高,占总量的83.4%;其次为肉牛,占11.6%。不同地市中以驻马店的畜禽粪便排放总量最高,其次是南阳、周口、商丘和开封,5市的总和接近河南省粪便排放总量的一半。河南省畜禽粪便农用地的平均负荷高达40.79t·hm-2,远远超过了全国平均负荷4.19t·hm-2,说明河南省农村生态环境面临着畜禽养殖污染的巨大生态压力。     

基于动态箱法的北京延庆区牛粪堆放CH4和N2O排放量估算

畜禽粪便堆放管理会造成甲烷(CH_4)和氧化亚氮(N_2O)等温室气体的大量排放。通过联合国政府间气候变化专门委员会(IPCC)建议的排放系数等方法,可以实现对某一区域范围内畜禽粪便管理系统的温室气体排放总量的估算,但由于其排放受粪便管理、气候条件等因素的显著影响,直接套用IPCC的默认系数会产生较大的误差。为更加准确估算中国奶牛粪便管理所造成的CH_4、N_2O排放,该文在对北京延庆区奶牛生产与粪便管理模式进行了实地调研的基础上,采用动态箱法模拟了奶牛粪便不同季节短时自然堆放管理模式下的CH_4、N_2O排放过程,并对区域内的年温室气体排放总量进行了测算。研究结果表明,奶牛粪便在一个月的自然堆放管理模式下,每千克牛粪挥发性固体在春、夏、秋季的CH_4排放量分别为223.97、4 603.31、351.38 mg,每千克牛粪N_2O排放量分别为5.86、9.43、0.81 mg。2016年北京延庆区全年奶牛粪便CH_4、N_2O排放总量分别为13 342.50、347.87 kg。延庆区奶牛粪便堆放管理过程的CH_4排放因子为1.50kg/(头·a),小于IPCC指南中的1.78 kg/(头·a);受堆放时间较短的影响,N_2O的排放因子则显著小于IPCC的推荐值。若直接使用IPCC默认参数估算延庆区奶牛粪便堆放管理过程中的CH_4和N_2O排放量,会造成排放量的高估。     

中国农业温室气体排放量测算及影响因素研究

农业生产过程所产生的温室气体在全球生产活动温室气体排放总量中占有很大比例,因此对农业温室气体的排放量进行测算并分析其影响因素,对实现农业节能减排有重要意义。本文基于1993―2011年中国农业生产的相关统计数据,借鉴前人关于农业生产中各种温室气体排放源排放系数的研究成果,测算了中国农业生产过程中的CH4、N2O和CO2排放量,并分析了影响因素。结果表明,CH4排放量基本平稳波动不大,N2O排放量从1993年的93.21万t波动增加到2011年的120.51万t,农业生产资料CO2排放量由15 626.98万t增加到31 258.10万t。种植业CO2排放主要分为土壤排放和生产资料排放,土壤CO2排放与大气温度、土壤温度、地表温度和土壤水分有关,生产资料CO2排放主要是由化肥和农药造成的;种植业CH4、N2O排放原因较为复杂,还有待进一步研究;动物肠道发酵CH4、N2O排放的影响因素主要取决于动物种类、饲料特性、饲养方式和粪便管理方式等。     

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.