围封对流动沙丘表层土壤有机碳、全氮和活性有机碳的影响

以流动沙丘为对照,研究不同围封年限(14年和26年)下科尔沁退化沙质草地表层(0-15cm)土壤有机碳、全氮及活性有机碳的变化。结果表明:流动沙丘围封显著提高了土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、轻组有机碳(LFOC)和微生物量碳(MBC)含量,14年和26年围封样地SOC、TN、LFOC和MBC含量均随围封年限的增加而增加,且0-5cm层增幅高于5-15cm层。14年和26年围封样地土壤碳氮比显著高于流动沙丘,但2个围封样地之间差异不显著。流动沙丘围封也显著增加了表层SOC、TN、LFOC和MBC储量,0-15cm土层SOC、TN、LFOC和MBC储量均表现为26年围封地>14年围封地>流动沙丘。相关分析表明,LFOC、MBC均与SOC存在极显著正相关关系,说明LFOC和MBC均可作为衡量土壤有机碳变化的敏感指标。     

草地与耕地土壤团聚体及有机碳含量对比分析——以内蒙古四子王旗为例

[目的]通过探讨草地开垦为耕地后土壤团聚体及有机碳的变化规律,为内蒙古自治区四子王旗土地利用方式优化及草原保护提供理论依据。[方法]以内蒙古四子王旗农牧交错带栗钙土、灰褐土和草甸土3种土壤类型下草地和耕地为研究对象,对0—10cm土层土壤团聚体组成、土壤有机碳、各粒径团聚体有机碳含量和各粒径团聚体对有机碳的贡献率进行了对比分析。[结果]栗钙土和灰褐土耕地与同地点草地相比,粒径3mm和0.25～3mm的团聚体含量减少,而≤0.25mm粒径团聚体含量增加,土壤有机碳和各粒径团聚体有机碳含量均有所降低,有机碳储存的主体由3mm粒径团聚体向0.25～3mm粒径团聚体转化,非团聚体对有机碳的贡献率上升;草甸土草地土壤结构性差,有机碳含量较低,主要是出现盐化现象所致,但是开垦为耕地后,受有机肥长期施入和耕作的影响,其各项指标均有所改善。[结论]栗钙土和灰褐土草地在开垦为耕地后,土壤结构退化,有机碳稳定性下降。但是,根据实际情况开垦研究区内盐化草甸土草地进行农田耕作是可行的。     

三江源区高寒草甸湿地植被退化与土壤有机碳损失

人为活动影响下陆地生态系统退化对于土壤碳库损失的影响规模是当前全球变化研究的热点。在青海省三江源区选择了8个高寒草甸典型样区,划分4种不同退化程度样地（原生植被、轻度退化、重度退化、极度退化）,收割法采集地上部植物生物量,10cm等深度采集表土土壤样品,分析了地上生物量、可食牧草生物量以及土壤有机碳含量变化。结果表明,随着退化程度的加剧,地上生物量和饲草生物量均表现强烈下降的趋势,但后者的下降幅度更大,在极度退化下损失达99％。研究区内高寒湿地土壤的表土有机碳含量出现极大的变异性,随退化程度的加剧而呈显著下降。与原生植被下相比,轻度退化、重度退化和极度退化下0-30cm土壤有机碳含量分别平均降低了25％、44％和52％。这种损失固然与地上部生物量下降有关,有机碳分层系数显示土壤侵蚀也是重要因素。估计退化下土壤有机碳平均下降36tC·hm^-2,累积退化下表土有机碳损失可能在200TgC以上,保护高寒草甸生态系统,对于三江源区土壤的畜牧业可持续发展和我国陆地生态系统碳库具有极重要的意义。     

毛乌素退化湿地土壤生源要素垂直分布特征

以毛乌素退化湿地为研究对象,采集芦苇滩地、灌草地、沙地3个不同退化时期9个土壤剖面样本,研究土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷垂直分布,并进行有机碳-全磷、有机碳-全氮Pearson相关性分析和Spearman秩相关分析。结果表明:不同类型退化湿地土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷含量差异明显,随土层深度增加含量减少,并呈现分层特征。研究发现,在土壤剖面深度100cm左右且有黑色泥炭层存在情况下,有机碳、全氮、全磷含量增加。样地土壤有机碳与全氮呈显性线性相关(R=0.989),Spearman秩相关系数为0.944。样地土壤有机碳与全磷呈显性线性相关(R=0.938),Spearman秩相关系数为0.698。     

黄土丘陵区土壤和泥沙不同粒径有机碳分布及其侵蚀过程

土壤侵蚀是当今世界最严重的生态环境问题,不仅严重制约着农业生产,而且也威胁着人类赖以生存的自然环境[1,2]。黄土高原由于强烈的土壤侵蚀,土壤有机质流失量可达216 kg hm-2a-1,土壤全氮流失118 kg hm-2a-1,全磷流失255 kg hm-2a-1,土壤养分含量低已经成为限制该区农作物产量提高的主要因子[3]。土壤有机碳来源于动、植物残体,经过一系列生物化学作用逐渐形成[4]。在土壤中,有机碳主要存在于细小颗粒,而以小于2μm黏粒中有机碳含量较高[5]。土壤侵蚀作用首先将地表植物残体和凋落物冲刷搬运,然后将雨滴击溅分散的细小颗粒物质剥蚀、搬运,而导致土壤有机碳的储量减少。国内     

风水复合侵蚀下锡林河流域不同管理方式 草地表土粒度特征

结合锡林河流域风水侵蚀情况,对锡林河流域围封天然草地、放牧草地、封育种植草地表层(0~5 cm)土壤粒度特征及其与风蚀、水蚀关系进行研究,结果表明:封育种植草地较放牧和天然草地在降低土壤风蚀和水蚀方面均起到了较明显的作用;锡林河流域草地表层土壤粒度组成以砂粒为主,其所占比例为75%~82%,放牧草地较天然草地及封育种植草地土壤粒度粗化明显,封育种植草地中蒙古冰草+草木樨草地土壤颗粒分选性较差,其余草地土壤颗粒分选性均为中等;研究区内粒径在160μm左右土壤颗粒为易受侵蚀土壤颗粒;研究区土壤粒度组成特征与风蚀、水蚀均有明显相关性,尤其与近地面20 cm风速和径流产流总量联系最为密切。     

连续种植超级稻对土壤有机碳及团聚体稳定性的影响

分别在长江中下游地区3处超级稻育种试验基地,选择多年连续种植超级稻和未种植超级稻的稻田,于水稻收获后采集表土未破坏土壤样品,采用低能量超声波分散法分离得到不同粒径的团聚体颗粒组,研究超级稻连续种植后有机碳含量变化及其有机碳在团聚体颗粒组中的分配,探讨连续种植超级稻对土壤有机碳和团聚体稳定性的影响。结果表明：连续种植超级稻后,水稻土表土有机碳含量均下降,降幅介于3％-14％;团聚体颗粒组组成以2000-200μm和200～20μm粒径为主,有机碳在2000—200μm和〈2μm两个粒级中最高;连续种植超级稻后2000～200μm大团聚体颗粒组质量分数提高,土壤团聚体稳定性增强。连续种植超级稻后有机碳含量下降可能是土壤短期的一种响应机制,长期来看并不改变水稻土的固碳潜力。     

土地利用和管理方式对农牧交错带土壤碳密度的影响

为研究农牧交错区土地利用和管理方式对土壤碳库的影响,以农牧交错区未扰动自然土壤的天然草地和扰动自然土壤的开垦农田为研究对象,测定了不同土地利用和管理方式下0～50 cm土层的土壤体积质量、土壤有机碳含量及土壤有机碳密度。结果表明,5种土地利用和管理方式下的土壤有机碳密度在8.21～11.30 kg/m2之间,土壤有机碳主要分布在土壤表层,随着土层深度增加,土壤有机碳含量和密度减小。未扰动自然土壤的天然草地,0～50 cm的土壤有机碳含量及碳密度高于扰动自然土壤的开垦农田及撂荒地,以草地围封刈割利用下的土壤有机碳密度最高,草地自由放牧利用下的土壤有机碳密度最低。扰动自然土壤的农田撂荒10 a后与开垦农田相比,0～50 cm土层的有机碳含量及碳密度显著提高。土地利用及管理方式的变化改变了土壤体积质量及土壤有机碳含量,进而影响了土壤有机碳密度。围封割草或控制放牧,是适宜农牧交错区增加生态系统土壤碳贮量的利用途径。     

河套平原盐碱化土壤有机碳及微生物量碳剖面分布特征

以内蒙古河套平原典型的盐碱土为研究对象,研究3种不同盐碱化程度土壤有机碳和微生物量碳的垂直分布(0～100 cm)特征,探讨其与环境因子的关系。结果表明:不同盐碱化程度土壤有机碳和微生物量碳大小顺序为:轻度盐碱化土壤>中度盐碱化土壤>重度盐碱化土壤,且不同盐碱化程度土壤机碳、微生物量碳含量均存在显著差异;0～100 cm土层土壤有机碳含量范围分别为1.96～6.21、1.90～5.34、1.36～3.92 g/kg,土壤微生物量碳含量范围分别为61.18～121.72、41.10～109.85、12.61～35.73 mg/kg。在垂直剖面上,不同盐碱化程度土壤有机碳、微生物量碳均随土层深度的增加而表现出降低的变化趋势,并存在明显的分层特征;不同盐碱化程度土壤有机碳、微生物量碳含量在不同土层间的显著性差异各不相同。土壤微生物量碳与有机碳的比值随土壤深度的增加表现为先降低后升高的变化趋势,其剖面空间变异性随土层深度的增加逐渐降低。不同盐碱化程度土壤微生物量碳与有机碳含量显著相关,且随盐碱化程度的增加相关性逐渐增大;土壤微生物量碳与土壤容重呈显著的负相关性,而与土壤含水量未表现出明显的相关性。     

三江源退化高寒草原土壤有机碳组分分布研究

在青海省三江源区选择了玛多县花石峡镇高寒草原典型样区,划分5种不同退化程度样地(原生植被UD、轻度退化LD、中度退化MD、重度退化HD、极度退化ED),10 cm等深度采集表土土壤样品,分析土壤有机碳和组分含量变化。结果表明,研究区内高寒草原土壤表土有机碳及组分含量随退化程度加剧和土层加深呈显著下降。与原生植被相比,轻度退化、中度退化、重度退化和极度退化下0~30 cm土层土壤有机碳含量分别平均降低了19.4%、44.4%、67.0%和79.7%,土壤轻组有机碳含量分别平均降低了14.4%、46.8%、68.9%和81.3%,土壤重组有机碳含量分别平均降低了21.1%、43.6%、66.4%和79.1%。轻组占有机碳含量的比例为20.45%~29.02%,重组占有机碳含量的比例为70.98%~79.55%,有机碳含量的分布主要集中在重组。总的来看,表层土壤有机碳及组分含量在生态系统退化下的变化最剧烈。随退化程度加剧,高寒草原土壤有机碳含量下降迅速,损失严重。保护高寒草地生态系统,对于三江源区畜牧业可持续发展和我国陆地生态系统碳库具有极重要的意义。     

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,     

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.     

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.     

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.