Effect of Foliar Application with Urea and Potassium Dihydrogen Orthophosphate on Faba Bean Yield and Quality in Newly Sandy Soil

Two field experiments were carried out in sandy soil of the Experimental Farm of the National Research Center, Nubaria District, EL-Behara Governorate, Egypt, during the two winter seasons of 2008/2009 and 2009/2010. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of foliar application of urea (U) at ( 0 and 5g/liter) and potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (PDO) at (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 g/1itre) on faba bean yield and its components (cv. Giza-461) as well as some chemical constituents. Spraying faba bean plants with 5g/L urea significantly increased plant height, number of pods/ plant, seed yield/plant as well as biological yield per faddan compared with the untreated control. Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (PDO) foliar application significantly increased all the yield parameters compared with control. Spraying faba bean with (5g/L U + 2.5g/L PDO) recorded the highest number of pods per plant (7.00) and seed yield/ plant (11.57g). The highest N, K and Fe contents in seeds of faba bean were obtained when the plants were sprayed with (5g/L PDO), while the combined application of (5g/L U +5g/L PDO) produced the highest values of Zn and Mn in seeds.