to find out the response of faba bean (improved Giza 3 cv.) to three planting densities (80000, 100000 and 120000 plants/fad.), three humic acid rates (zero, 2 and 4 kg humic acid/fad.) and four phosphorus levels (zero, 15.5, 31 and 46.5 kg P 2 O 5 /fad.). The results of the combined analysis revealed that increasing planting density significantly decreased number of pods and branches/plant, and seed weight/plant as well as protein yield/fad., while, plant height and biological yield/fad., were significantly increased by increasing plant densities up to 120000 plants/fad. The highest value of seed yield/fad., was obtained by planting faba bean on density 100000 plants/fad. Results of the combined analysis also showed that, increasing humic acid rates up to 4 kg/fad., significantly increased number of pods/plant, weight of seeds/plant and protein yield/fad., but, hundred seed weight, plant height and number of branches/plant were not affected by the application of humic acid. Meanwhile, biological and seed yields/fad., were responded to the application of humic acid rate up to 2 kg/fad. In general, application of phosphorus fertilizer up to 46.5 kg P 2 O 5 /fad., significantly increased all traits under study such as number of branches and pods/plant, weight of seeds/plant, seed and biological yields/fad., and protein yield/fad as compared to other rates (combined data), while, hundred seed weight significantly increased by increasing P levels up to 31 kg P 2 O 5 /fad. Interaction results showed that, faba bean plants received 31 kg P 2 O 5 /fad., and 2 kg humic acid/fad., or received 2 kg humic acid under medium density (100000 plants/fad.) produced the highest value of seed yield/fad.

Water shortage is a major environmental stress that destructively impacts maize production, particularly in arid regions. Therefore, improving irrigation management and increasing productivity per unit of water applied are needed, especially under the rising temperature and precipitation fluctuations induced by climate change. Laboratory and field trials were carried out in the present study, which were aimed at assessing the possibility of promoting maize germination, growth, grain yield and crop water productivity (CWP) using seed priming under different irrigation regimes. Two seed priming treatments, i.e., hydro-priming and hardening versus unprimed seeds, were applied under four irrigation regimes, i.e., 120, 100, 80 and 60% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The obtained results indicated that increasing irrigation water from 100% up to 120% ETc did not significantly increase grain yield or contributing traits, while it decreased CWP. Deficit irrigation of 80 and 60% ETc gradually decreased grain yield and all attributed traits. Seed priming significantly ameliorated seedlings’ vigor as indicated by earlier germination, higher germination percentage, longer roots and shoots, and heavier fresh and dry weight than unprimed seeds with the superiority of hardening treatment. Additionally, under field conditions, seed priming significantly increased grain yield, yield contributing traits and CWP compared with unprimed treatment. Interestingly, the results reflect the role of seed priming, particularly hardening, in mitigating negative impacts of drought stress and enhancing maize growth, grain yield and attributed traits as well as CWP under deficit irrigation conditions. This was demonstrated by a significant increase in grain yield and CWP under moderate drought and severe drought conditions compared with unprimed treatment. These results highlight that efficient irrigation management and seed priming can increase maize yield and water productivity in arid environments.