SUSTAINABLE FABA BEAN (Viciafaba L.) USING VERMICOMPOST AND NITROGEN-FIXING BACTERIA (Rhizobium sp.)

This study explores the combined effects of vermicompost application and Rhizobium inoculation on faba bean (Viciafaba L.) growth, nodulation, and yield over two successive winter seasons (2022/23 and 2023/24) in sandy soil at El-khatttara region, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Four levels of vermicompost (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 ton/fad.) and three inoculation treatments (uninoculated, Rhizobiumtropici, and Rhizobiumgallicum) were evaluated using a randomized complete block designin split plot arrangement with three replicates. Results demonstrated that the highest vermicompost level (4.5 ton/fad.) significantly increased the number of nodules per plant (up to 95.19 nodules on average) and dry nodule weight (up to 2.14 g in the second season). Rhizobiumtropici inoculation outperformed R. gallicum, with a 17.45% higher nodulation response and improved nitrogen fixation. Plant height increased by 41.19%, and branchs number per plant peaked at 5.31 under the combined application of 4.5 ton/fad.,vermicompost and R. tropici inoculation. Yield components showed remarkable improvements: the highest average of number of pods (39.65 pods/plant), seeds per pod (5.90), and 100-seed weight (92.43 g) were achieved under the same treatment combination. Biological yield reached 5.98 ton/fad., while seed and straw yields were 2.52 and 2.36 ton/fad, respectively, representing over a 30% increase compared to control treatment. Total nitrogen uptake and protein yield were also maximized at 132.5 kg/fad and 431.39 kg/fad., respectively, under these treatment. The study highlights the synergistic benefits of combining organic amendments and microbial inoculants, promoting sustainable faba bean production with enhanced nitrogen uptake, protein content and soil fertility.