RESPONSE OF FABA BEAN TO LEVEL AND PLACEMENT METHODS OF POTASSIUM APPLE CATIONS IN SANDY SOIL AT NORTH SINAI

Applying K fertilizer into drip irrigation system is not routinely practiced for faba
bean under desert conditions. Vegetative growth, seed and straw yield, K contents in
tissues and soil as affected by application of K through drip irrigation system
compared to side dressed application was studied under field experiment at EI-
Maghara Research Station of Desert Research Center - North Sinai. The
experimental treatments included 1) six levels of K (0, 30, 60, 90, 120,150) kg
K20/fed. added each two weeks where all plots were drip irrigated and 2) two
placement methods (fertigated and side dressed) were compared for growth and yield
        characteristics.                                                                                         .
Increasing rates of K through drip irrigation system increased significantly plant
height number of branches I plant, number of podsl plant and straw & seed yield I fed.
where, the application of 120 kg K20/fed. produced the highest response. The
adequate range of K content in faba bean tissues is ranging from about 2 to 3%. The
repeated application of K through drip irrigation system was significantly more
effective than side dressed application where considerable amount of K can be lost by
leaching in sandy soil. Movement of K below drip irrigation system is expected if
application is concentrated by applying the fertilizer to small volume of soil under
drippers. An increasing necessity is encourage to introduce faba bean cropping with
fertigated system under desert conditions of North Sinai.