氯氰菊酯污染土壤的微生物修复及对土著微生物的影响

在实验室条件下,在含有氯氰菊酯的土壤中添加氯氰菊酯和3-苯氧基苯甲酸(3-PBA)降解菌CDT3(Rhodococcussp.)和PBM11(Pesudomonassp.),同时设不加菌的对照。分别于0、3、7、15、30 d取样,测定土壤中氯氰菊酯和3-PBA的残留,同时用平板计数和变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)方法分析土壤微生物群落的变化。结果显示:CDT3和PBM11在土壤中协同作用能够更好地降解氯氰菊酯及其中间产物3-PBA。氯氰菊酯对土著微生物有较强的抑制作用。投加降解菌可以消除农药对土壤微生物的抑制,有助于土著微生物种群的恢复,但短期内无法改变农药对土壤微生物结构的破坏。     

长期施肥对土壤中氯氰菊酯降解转化的影响

采用长期不同施肥处理土壤：有机肥（OM）、无机肥（NPK、PK、NK）和不施肥（CK）研究施肥对氯氰菊酯降解的影响,通过测定土壤中氯氰菊酯残留量及降解产物3-苯氧基苯甲酸生成量来确定其降解速度。结果表明：不同施肥处理对氯氰菊酯在土壤中降解有显著影响,其中在PK、CK土壤中降解较快,半衰期分别为9.6 d和10.7 d,在NK土壤中降解最慢,半衰期为15.1 d,长期施用有机肥（OM）较无机肥（NPK）降解呈增加趋势,但未达显著水平,半衰期分别为10.8 d和11.8 d。相关分析表明土壤中速效氮含量与氯氰菊酯半衰期呈显著负相关,长期偏施氮肥可提高土壤中速效氮的含量,进而能显著降低氯氰菊酯在土壤中降解速度。氯氰菊酯在OM、NPK土壤中降解较慢的原因可能是土壤高有机质含量增加了对农药的吸附,进而抑制了其降解。     

拟除虫菊酯类农药残留降解菌的筛选及其生理特性研究

从活性污泥的富集培养物中分离得到可降解几种拟除虫菊酯农药的菌株qw5,初步鉴定qw5为地衣芽孢杆菌 (Bacilliuslicheniformis)。菌株qw5在通气、pH7～ 8、温度 3 0℃左右的环境条件下生长较好。培养 5天 ,菌株qw5对氰戊菊酯、氯氰菊酯、溴氰菊酯的降解率分别为 5 3 .8%、41 .2 %和 61 .7%。经质谱分析 ,菌株qw5降解氰戊菊酯产生中间代谢产物 3 -苯氧基苯甲醛。qw5对小白鼠无致病力 ,对几种常用的抗生素敏感。盆钵和小区试验表明 ,菌株qw5对青菜中残留的拟除虫菊酯有明显去除效果。     

功夫菊酯降解菌 GF-1 的分离鉴定及其降解特性研究

从农药厂废水处理池的活性污泥中分离到一株功夫菊酯高效降解菌 GF-1,根据表型特征、生理生化特性和 16S rDNA 序列同源性分析,将 GF-1 鉴定为芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus sp.).GF-1 能以功夫菊酯为唯一 C 源进行生长,72 h 对100 mg/L的功夫菊酯的降解率达 85%.GF-1 降解功夫菊酯的最适温度为 30℃,最适 pH 为 7.0,该菌降解功夫菊酯的速率与初始接种量呈正相关.GF-1 投加土壤,可以提高土壤中功夫菊酯的降解速率.通过吖啶橙与升温法对质粒消除,结果表明 GF-1 的降解功能与质粒相关.     

厌氧复合菌群JZ-1降解拟除虫菊酯的特性和组成多样性研究

从农药厂废水中分离到能够降解多种拟除虫菊酯的复合菌群JZ-1,对该菌群降解特性研究结果表明,最佳降解条件为pH7、温度30℃;在最佳条件下培养15d,对100mg·L-1甲氰菊酯、氟氯氰菊酯、氯氰菊酯的降解率分别为53.27%、33.36%、41.39%。对该菌群的16S rDNA进行扩增和RFLP及测序分析结果表明,该菌群含有丰富的细菌资源,该菌群的优势种群包括红假单胞菌属（Rhodopseudomonas）和紫单孢菌科细菌（Porphyromonadaceae bacterium）。该研究为拟除虫菊酯的降解菌资源的挖掘和利用提供了理论参考。     

两种环境激素类农药及其混合剂在土壤中的降解研究

为了深入了解环境激素类农药在与其它多种农药同时存在条件下在土壤中的降解过程、阐释其机理,用室内培养的方法,研究氯氰菊酯、毒死蜱两种农药及其混合剂在灭菌和未灭菌土壤中的降解特征。结果表明,两种农药及其混合剂在土壤中的降解是微生物主导的过程;灭菌土壤中,混合剂中各农药组分与其单独存在降解过程基本一致,均符合单室模型C=C0e-kt,降解半衰期也与其单独存在相近;但在未灭菌土壤中,混合剂中各农药组分降解特点与其单独存在有所不同。两种农药单独存在时,氯氰菊酯、毒死蜱在未灭菌土壤中的降解方程均符合单室模型,降解半衰期分别为31.5 d和57.8 d;混合剂中各组分农药在未灭菌土壤中的降解过程符合双室模型C=C1e-αt+C2e-βt,不同阶段降解半衰期不同,氯氰菊酯前期和后期半衰期分别为33.0 d和53.3;而毒死蜱前期和后期的半衰期则分别为63.0 d和86.6 d。在未灭菌土壤中多种农药存在时各种农药降解均呈现先快后慢的特点。     

氯氟氰菊酯降解菌的分离和培养条件研究

从某农药厂排污口的污泥中采集样品,经驯化富集后筛选到1株能高效降解氯氟氰菊酯的细菌X2.在30℃,pH 7.0基础培养基中,该菌在7 d内对浓度为200 mg/L的氯氟氰菊酯的降解率为77.2%.依据生理生化特征及16S rDNA测定分析,将该菌株确定为鞘氨醇杆菌属(Sphingobacterium sp.).降解特性研究表明,在温度25～30℃,pH为7.0～8.0的条件下,该菌株能有效降解氯氟氰菊酯,因而可以将其应用于氯氟氰菊酯污染土壤的生物修复.     

农药浓度、共代谢底物和接种量对Sphingobium indicum B90A降解六六六效率的影响

有机氯农药六六六曾被广泛用于卫生防疫和对抗农业病虫害,但由于其毒性和持久性引发了一系列环境问题。鉴于微生物降解方法在农药污染场地的修复中具有重要作用,采用摇瓶培养法研究了在α-、β-、γ-和δ-六六六（HCH）异构体混合体系中,农药浓度、共代谢底物和接种量对Sphingobium indicum B90A降解4种HCH异构体的影响。研究结果表明：S.indicum B90A对α-和β-HCH的利用较好,其次是γ-和δ-HCH。在10mg·L-1混合HCH的无机盐培养液中,30℃下反应72h,S.indicumB90A对α-、β-、γ-和δ-HCH的降解率分别为99%、86%、53%和33%。随着HCH浓度的增加,S.indicum B90A对4种HCH异构体降解率均逐渐降低。在共代谢底物的研究中,添加葡萄糖或酵母粉均能明显地提高S.indicumB90A对HCH的降解能力,在10mg·L-1混合无机盐培养液中,添加100mg·L-1葡萄糖或添加50mg·L-1酵母粉,30℃下反应84h,S.indicum B90A对α-、β-、γ-和δ-HCH的降解率均接近100%。S.indicum B90A对HCH的降解率随着菌体接种量的增加而相应提高,适宜接菌量为5%。     

广西和福建荔枝园土壤农药残留现状研究

荔枝收获完毕后在广西壮族自治区及福建省荔枝主产区采集210 个荔枝园土壤样本, 检测了甲霜灵、代森锰锌、多菌灵、溴氰菊酯、氯氰菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯、敌百虫、乐果和敌敌畏等9 种荔枝常用农药的含量。结果显示, 多菌灵是广西和福建荔枝园土壤最常检出的农药, 检出率分别为48.1%和84.0%。广西荔枝产区土壤代森锰锌、敌百虫和乐果均未检出, 其他5 种农药检出率均低于10%。福建荔枝产区甲霜灵和氯氰菊酯检出率均为24.0%, 其他6 种农药均未检出。广西荔枝产区土壤未检出或只检出1 种农药荔枝园分别占采样荔枝园的48.6%和38.4%, 福建荔枝产区分别占56.0%和8.0%; 检出2 种农药的广西荔枝园占11.4%,福建占32.0%。广西荔枝园土壤平均含量最高的农药为氯氰菊酯(5.0 μg·kg^-1), 敌敌畏次之(1.9 μg·kg^-1), 其他4 种检出农药不超过1.0 μg·kg^-1。福建荔枝园土壤平均含量为多菌灵(0.77 μg·kg^-1)>甲霜灵(0.65 μg·kg^-1)>氯氰菊酯(0.48μg·kg^-1)。虽然福建荔枝园土壤农药残留比广西普遍, 但两地荔枝园土壤农药残留仍属轻微。     

土壤中多种拟除虫菊酯类农药残留的提取与检测方法

研究建立了土壤中甲氰菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯、顺式氯菊酯、反式氯菊酯、氯氰菊酯、氟氰戊菊酯、氰戊菊酯和溴氰菊酯8种拟除虫菊酯类农药残留的超声提取-硅胶柱净化-气相色谱(GC)检测方法。以石油醚/丙酮(v/v,2:1)溶液为有机提取剂,超声提取土壤样品,旋转蒸发仪浓缩,经自制硅胶柱以10 ml石油醚/乙酸乙酯(v/v,9:1)溶液进行分离净化并浓缩后用正己烷定容,样品采用气相色谱法FID检测器检测。研究结果表明,该方法对土壤样品中8种拟除虫菊酯的加标回收率较高,平均值在84.9%~101.3%之间。通过实验优化了8种拟除虫菊酯类化合物的分离和测定条件。该提取和检测方法具有简便、快捷、成本低、净化效果和重现性好等特点,适合于土壤中痕量拟除虫菊酯类农药残留的测定。     

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.