Organic fertilizer and microbial agents increase soil quality and maize yield on coastal saline-alkali land

Toevaluate the effects oforganic fertilizer and microbial agents onsoil water and salt distribution, microorganisms, and crop yield oncoastal saline-alkaline land, eight treatments were established, i.e., two maize varieties (Dajing Jiu 26 (J) and Quchen Jiu (Q)) and four organic fertilizer and microbial agent application methods (no organic fertilizer ormicrobial agent application (O0M0), single organic fertilizer application (O1M0), single microbial agent application (O0M1), and combined organic fertilizer and microbial agent application (O1M1)). The soil water content inthe 40–50cm soil layer under JO1M1was 3.35% greater than that under JO0M0atthe mature stage. The soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN) inthe 0–10cm soil layer under JO1M1were 16.69% and 21.37% greater, respectively, than those under JO0M0atthe jointing stage. The actinomycete content was 58.79% greater inQO1M1than inQO0M0. The urease activity was greater inO1M0than inthe other management practices. Compared with that inJO0M0and QO0M0, the alkaline phosphatase activity inJO1M1and QO1M1was 47.36% and 33.97% higher, respectively. Compared with those ofJO0M0, the catalase activity and sucrase activity ofJO1M1were 57.62% and 22.78% higher, respectively. Compared with JO0M0and QO0M0, JO1M1and QO1M1increased the grain yield by 20.69% and 16.42%, respectively, and increased the biomass by 23.36% and 26.45%, respectively. In summary, organic fertilizer and microbial agents provide a scientific model for the rational use of saline soils and the development of their potential.