Faba bean cultivar Giza 3 inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum RCR 1001 was grown in a pot experiment and irrigated with saline water (mixture of NaCl and CaCl sub(2) 0.25 Ca:Na on molar basis). Salinity levels of 5.8, 8.8, 11.6 and 14.6 dSm super(-1) (equivalent to 50, 75, 100 and 125 mM NaCl) significantly decreased nodule number, nodule fresh weight and total nitrogenase activity. Salinity inhibited specific nitrogenase activity, protein, leghaemoglobin and carbohydrate content of the nodules at 11.6 and 14.6 dSm super(-1) (100 and 125 mM NaCl). Salinity levels of 8.8, 11.6 and 14.6 dSm super(-1) (75, 100 and 125 mM NaCl) caused a significant reduction in dry weights of roots, stems, leaves and total plant nitrogen.