Impact of ridge–furrow water harvesting system on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) production under rainfed conditions in Matrouh, Egypt

In the North Western Coastal Zone (NWCZ) of Egypt, low rainfall results in poor crop production. Different techniques should be examined to enhance the crop yield productivity and increase the water use efficiency. The ridge–furrow water harvesting system (RFWHS) is examined under the rainfed conditions in the NWCZ of Egypt over the two growing seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. Two ridge:furrow ratios of 120:60 and 60:60 cm ridge:furrow were used and compared to the conventional cultivation in a flat plot. The RFWHS was combined with different plant densities produced from three different row spacing (i.e., 20, 30, 60 cm). The faba bean yield was highly influenced by the ridge:furrow ratio, the seed yield was increased by 47% and 128.2% when the 60:60 cm ridge:furrow ratio was used as compared to the conventional cultivation in the first and second seasons, respectively. The row spacing of 30 cm apart produced the highest seed yield of 491.1 kg/ha in the first season and 261.3 kg/ha in the second season as compared to 20 cm and60 cm row spacing. The water use efficiency followed the same pattern as that of seed yield; it was the highest for the 60:60 cm ridge:furrow ratio and the highest for the 30 cm row spacing. It is concluded that the RFWHS can be used effectively in increasing faba bean production and maximizing water use efficiency in limited rainfall areas.