https://doi.org/10.37229/fsa.fja.2025.10.10

The two field experiments were conducted to study the effect of bio-fertilizer application, irrigation system, and varieties on barley production in the saline, arid conditions of South Sinai during the two growing seasons 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. The field experiments were carried out on a private farm in Al-Wadi village, Al-Tour city, South Sinai, Egypt (28.21089°N, 33.35450°E, at an elevation of 14 m above sea level). The data showed that the use of biofertilizers (Azospirillum brasilense & Paenibacillus mucilaginosus) significantly improved all parameters under both irrigation techniques, however the impact was greater under drip irrigation. improvements in yield of 1.5–1.7 t/ha.  Additionally, drip irrigation produced taller plants, higher tillering rates, larger grains, better water usage efficiency, and higher yields than spray irrigation in every evaluated parameter. However, there were clear varietal differences, with Giza 134 performing better in the majority of treatment combinations and water use efficiency more than doubling between the least and most efficient treatment combinations. Therefore, the combination of drip irrigation, improved varieties, and biofertilizers (Azospirillum brasilense & Paenibacillus mucilaginosus) is a viable path toward more resilient and productive cereal agriculture for the farming communities of South Sinai and similar arid regions facing soil salinity and water scarcity.