**3. Mineral fertilizer**

Mineral fertilizers help plant roots to develop in saline conditions by increasing soil porosity, nutrient content, and organic matter. The integration of mineral fertilizers, plus the application of nutrient solutions, will have a positive impact on root biomass (**Figure 1**).

The organo-mineral fertilizer may acts as a reservoir for nutrients, ensuring slow release to the substrate solution or directly to plant roots, it is a relatively abundant mineral resource [2]. The vermicompost improves microbial diversity and abundance, plant growth, and soil fertility [3]. **Table 1** shows the effect of organ-mineral fertilizer and vermicompost on different crops.

#### **Figure 1.**

*Root biomass. A) Nutrient solution. B) Granulated mineral fertilizer + nutrient solution. C) Powdered mineral fertilizer + nutrient solution. (Courtesy Dr. Víctor García-Gaytán).*


#### **Table 1.**

*Benefits of the application of organo-mineral fertilizer and vermicompost in different crops.*
