The invention is suitable for the technical field of saline-alkali soil improvement, and provides a method for improving the soil fertility of saline-alkali soil by planting sesbania. The method is characterized by comprising the steps of deep ploughing, irrigation and salt separation, wherein soil turning is carried out, weeds of the saline-alkali soil are removed, a compact soil layer is formedbelow the earth surface, and underground water high in salt content is prevented from moving upwards; sowing and fertilizing, wherein seeds need to be soaked or sand is added for wiping the seeds before sesbania sowing, a single sowing mode is used, phosphorus fertilizer is applied, the yield of sesbania is increased, and the content of nitrogen and phosphorus in sesbania is increased; harvestingand fertilizer retention, wherein after the sesbania is ripe, direct ploughing is conducted, straw and livestock manure can be heaped and applied to serve as base fertilizer or conduct topdressing, stalks need to be cut off, chopped and completely buried in the soil layer to prevent moisture evaporation, after sesbania is turned, the total quantity of water-stable aggregates of soil is increased,the soil volume weight is reduced, the porosity is improved, and the soil can be prevented against salt return. Therefore, the fertility of the saline-alkali soil can be improved, and conditions of the saline-alkali soil for planting crops are improved.