The experiment happened at Al-Mussaib Technical College, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, to know the effect of ABA acid and potassium on the growth of broad bean (Vicia faba L) plants under water stress conditions (0 and 1000 mg k^-1) while the third factor was an ABA acid at the concentration of 0.2 mM. The results were as follows: All studied traits decreased under conditions of water stress (plant height, leaf number, leaf area, total soluble carbohydrates [TSC], activity of superoxide dismutase [SOD], and catalase of broad beans) with recorded values of 41 cm, 5.67 leaf plant^-1, 60.57 cm², 11.82 (mg g^-1 DW), 155.01 units mg^-1 protein min^-1, and 138.59 mg^-1 protein min^-1, respectively. The obtained triple interaction treatment was also at 25 ds m^-1 + 1000 mg l^-1 + 0 ABA, giving the highest values for all studied traits. ABA and potassium apart and together boosted proline, TSC, SOD, and CAT, raising plant height, leaf number, and area. The combined treatment improved plant growth and antioxidant systems, reducing the suppressive effect of water deprivation. ABA and potassium-treated plants showed greater TSC.

Keywords: Vicia faba L., growth regulators, nutrient elements, water stress, growth traits

Key findings: The results revealed applying ABA, potassium, and their interaction improved all growth traits by increasing proline content, total soluble carbohydrates, CAT, and SOD. The findings of this study indicated that ABA and potassium together assisted the plant in regaining the altered physiological features caused by water stress.