Response of Three Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Varieties to Different levels of Irrigation Water salinity

Volume 26, Issue 2
Spring 2026
Pages 165-177

Document Type : Articles

Authors

1 Field crops- Agriculture College- University of Basrah- Basrah - Iraq

2 Field crops - Agriculture College- University of Basrah-

Abstract
            A field experiment was conducted during the 2022–2023 growing season at Al-Faris Agricultural Research Station, located in Al-Zubair district, southwestern Basrah, Iraq.  This study aimed to investigate the effects of varying irrigation water salinity levels on the growth and yield of different faba bean (Vicia faba L.) Varieties. Two factors were examined: three faba bean Varieties Spanish (Lozde otono), Dutch (Histal), and a local Variety and three levels of irrigation water salinity: 1.5, 3.5, and 5.5 dS m⁻¹. The experiment followed a factorial experiment within a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results showed that both the Varieties ( Lozde otono and Histal) and water salinity, as well as their interaction, had a significant impact on the studied traits. The Spanish Variety ( Lozde otono ) showed the highest values for plant height (67.76 cm), number of branches per plant (6.34 branch plant-1), pods per plant (6.67 pod plant-1), seeds per pod (5.30 seed ), 100 seed weight (157.05 g), and seed yield per plant (475.60 g).  the salinity levels, 3.5 dS m⁻¹ records highest plant height, number of branches, pod length, and yield per plant (69.28 cm, 5.92 branches plant-1, 8.29 cm). On the other hand, the lowest salinity level (1.5 dS m⁻¹) resulted in higher pod number, seeds per pod, and 100-seed weight (6.48 pods, 5.00 seeds, 152.44 g). Moreover, the interaction between the Spanish Variety and the two salinity levels (1.5 and 3.5 dS m⁻¹) significantly improved all measured traits, including plant height, number of branches, pods per plant, 100-seed weight, and seed yield per plant (74.59 cm, 6.68 branches plan-1, 7.80 pods, 164.28 g, and 510.10 g, respectively). Based on these results, Lozde otono can be considered a promising variety for cultivation in saline-prone areas of southern Iraq, offering both adaptability and productivity under moderately saline irrigation condition.

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