Abstract: An effective conditioner-fertilizer of low and competitive cost particularly formulated for restoring or improving the cultivation properties and productivity of saline or alkaline soils, comprising: a) a chelating substance, for example sodium tripolyphosphate; b) a pH modifying or buffering substance, for example an inorganic acid; c) a surfactant, for example polyethylenglycols; and optionally, d) a plant nutrient substance, for example humic extracts which can advantageously derived from the pecan husk. The synergistic combination of polyphosphates, pH modifying and buffering substances and surfactants in the conditioner-fertilizer formulation significantly improves its effectiveness at a competitive cost. Other ingredients may also be added, for example, sodium lignosulphonate, calcium lignosulphonate and the like for modifying the physical structure of soils.