Combined Application of Organic Fertilizer with Microbial Inoculum Improved Aggregate Formation and Salt Leaching in a Secondary Salinized Soil

Greenhouse vegetable production provides significant quantities of vegetables throughout the year and improves farmers&rsquo: income. However, over-fertilization with mineral fertilizer causes soil secondary salinization and decreases the stability of the soil structure. To improve aggregate formation and decrease salt accumulation in the soil profile, bio-organic fertilizers (Protaetia brevitarsis larvae frass with Bacillus amyloliticus and/or Trichoderma harziensis) were applied to partially substitute mineral fertilizer in a salinized vegetable soil. Soil nutrient condition, aggregate stability, and salt movement in the soil profile were measured in a greenhouse double-cucumber system. The results showed that&nbsp:soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), and available phosphorus (AP) increased significantly under bio-organic fertilizer treatments compared with control. Soil electrical conductivity (EC) and total salt content (TSC) decreased by 15.74&ndash:24.20% and 19.15&ndash:29.05%, respectively, with bio-organic fertilizers (p &lt: 0.05). Cl&minus:, NO3&minus:, and SO42&minus: content under double inoculation with B. amyloliticus and T. harziensis reduced by 31.19%, 26.30%, and 53.11%, respectively, compared to CK (p &lt: 0.05). In addition, double inoculation was more efficient in reducing nitrate content in the soil profile than single inoculation. Soil microaggregates of 0.25&ndash:0.053 mm increased by 75.87&ndash:78.51% with bio-fertilizers compared with control, and double inoculation was the best for aggregate formation. In conclusion, the inoculation of plant-growth-promoting and salt-tolerant microorganisms with high humic acid larvae frass can alleviate salinization in vegetable soil, enhance soil nutrient content, and improve the soil structure.