Abstract: Common Vetch (Vicia sativa) is a traditional legume crop in China which is widely used as a green manure and for fodder. However, there has been little study to date of the rhizobia of common vetch. This study aimed to identify rhizobial strains of common vetch with superior symbiotic properties, and also greater salt tolerance. Root nodule samples were collected from the major production areas of common vetch in Qinghai, and 61 rhizobial strains were isolated and identified. Using a hydroponics inoculation technique and principal component analysis, 5 strains with stronger ability to promote nodulation and growth of the host plants were identified, and designated J1-3-2, J2-6-2, J3-12-1, J4-3-3 and J5-5-3. The salt tolerance of these 5 strains was examined by single plant culture. Strain J5-5-3 was tolerant of NaCl concentrations up to about 0.9%, while the other 4 strains could tolerate up to 1.2% NaCl concentration. Three distinct levels of salt tolerance were evident: J3-12-1 and J2-6-2 displayed the strongest tolerance, J1-3-2 and J4-3-3 displayed medium tolerance, and J5-5-3 the weakest tolerance. One strain from each of these groups was then evaluated in a pot experiment to asses nodulation of the host under differing salinity levels of 0.15% or 0.3% NaCl. When exposed to 0.15% NaCl concentration, the largest number of root nodules was observed in plants inoculated with J5-5-3, and no significant differences among the three rhzobial strains were found when exposed to 0.30% NaCl concentration. J3-12-1 and J5-5-3 inoculation resulted in increased dry weight (P<0.05) of the host plants under NaCl concentrations of 0.15% and 0.30%. Inoculation with strain J5-5-3 increased plant nitrogen content (P<0.05) under the two levels of NaCl stress and increased nitrogen uptake (P<0.05) under the 0.15% NaCl stress, while the strain J3-12-1 significantly increased the nitrogen uptake (P<0.05) of the host plants under 0.15% NaCl stress. It was concluded that the strains J3-12-1 and J5-5-3 are suitable as inoculant rhizobial strains to increase the biomass and nitrogen content of common vetch under salt stress.