The world is transitioning towards sustainable agriculture, which includes reducing chemical fertilizers and increasing the adoption of eco-friendly materials. Red clay, known for its colloidal properties, adsorption, and ion exchange capabilities, has become eco-friendly due to its non-toxic nature. However, when red clay is applied in its insoluble powdered form, its absorption by plants is limited. Processed red clay (PRC) was developed to overcome these limitations, and microbial formulations containing Lactobacillus fermentum (MFcL) were applied alongside it. Chlorophyll content and fluorescence values decreased over time after cucumber transplantation. However, co-application of PRC and MFcL resulted in higher chlorophyll content than PRC alone, suggesting that this combination could alleviate plant growth reduction caused by stress. Although the total yield of cucumbers was highest in the NF group, yield per plant increased by more than 10% in the PRC treatment compared to NF. Additionally, yield was higher when PRC was applied alongside MFcL than with MFcL alone. While the proportion of marketable fruits decreased over time in the NF treatment, it increased in the PRC treatment. Soil analysis revealed that PRC application increased soil pH by 3% and available silicon content by 7.6% compared to NF, while available phosphate levels decreased by 13%. Analysis of microbial density in the soil showed that bacteria levels significantly increased by 2-fold in PRC+MFcL compared to NF, while actinomycetes decreased by 1.5-fold. In conclusion, PRC treatment positively influenced cucumber growth, and co-application with microbial fertilizers demonstrated a synergistic effect.

Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
    1. Materials and experiment design
    2. Chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescenceof leaves
    3. Investigate growth characteristics and quantity ofcucumber fruits
    4. Soil sampling and analysis
    5. Statistical analysis
Results and Discussion
    1. Chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiencyof leaves
    2. The growth characteristics in cucumber fruits overtime
    3. Soil chemical and microbial properties
Acknowledgement
References

• Sora Lee(Researcher, Forest Biomaterials Research Center, National Institute of Forest Science, Jinju, 52817, Korea, Doctoral Student, Dept. of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326, Korea)
• Hyeonsoo Jang(Research Official, Reclaimed Land Agriculture Team, National Institute of Crop Science, Wanju, 55365, Korea)
• Songhee Lee(Professor, Dept. of Smart Farm, Kyungmin University, Uijeongbu, 11618, Korea)
• Wonwoo Cho(Research Official, Garden and Plant Resources Division, Korea National Arboretum, Pocheon, 11186, Korea)
• Hyung Won Lee(Research Official, Forest Biomaterials Research Center, National Institute of Forest Science, Jinju, 52817, Korea)
• Hoduck Kang(Professor, Dept. of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University, Goyang, 10326, Korea) Corresponding author
• Hyunmo Choi(Research Official, Forest Bioresources Dept., National Institute of Forest Science, Suwon, 16631, Korea) Corresponding author