Effect of Mineral Fertilizers and Biofertilization on some Soil Properties and Faba Bean Productivity under Saline Soil Conditions

In winter 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons, two field experiments were carried out in Gelbana village, at private farm, North Sinai Governorate, Egypt to evaluate the effect of partial substitution of 50% and 25% of NPK addition rates recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture (40 kg N fed.^-1, 100 kg P₂O₅ and 70 kg K₂O fed.^-1 ) using biofertilization with Rhiobium radiobacter sp. Strain (fixed nitrogen), Bacillus megatherium as (dissolving phosphate bacteria) and Bacillus circulans (enhancing potassium availability) on some soil properties and faba bean yield, yield attributes and chemical composition content of two faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cultivars. i.e., Nubaria 1 and Masr 3. 100-seed weight gave the highest value (98.85 g) when plants of Misr 3 treated with full NPK fertilizer recommended dose + biofertilization. Pod yield, N, P and K content as well as N, P and K-uptake by faba bean (Nubaria1) seeds gave the maximum values under Biofertilization + full NPK fertilizer recommended dose (full-RD). Seed yield and protein content were increased significantly and gave the highest values due to the treatment of Biofertilization + 75% of NPK fertilizer (¾RD) for Nubaria1 plants. Highest yield efficiency (97.25%) was obtained due to Biofertilization + 75% of NPK fertilizer (¾RD) for Misr3 plants. Fertilized treatments in combination with biofertilization decreased values of soil EC and pH and increased soil available N, P and K content after harvest when plants treated with Biofertilization + full NPK-RD which was ascendant to the other treatments and gave the highest with Misr 3 variety.