Effects of desert dust on yield and yield components of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

ABSTRACT

In order to study the effects of desert dust on yield and yield components of cowpea, two field experiments were conducted in the factorial layout based on randomized complete block design with three replicates in Dezful and Mashhad, Iran in 2015. The experimental treatments were combinations of desert dust in three levels (0, 500 and 1500 µg m⁻³), numbers of desert dust application (once, twice and thrice) and two types of desert dust. The desert-dust particles were collected during dust storms occurred in Dezful and Zabol, which are the main sources of dust in Iran. The results showed that the biological yield and the grain yield were significantly decreased in both studied sites (Dezful and Mashhad) when the plants exposed to 500 µg m⁻³ desert dust treatment compared to normal conditions. Total soluble sugar and proline contents in plant leaf tissues increased significantly when they affected by 1500 µg m⁻³ of desert dust, while the plant height was significantly decreased by increasing the desert-dust concentrations at both sites. Biological yield, grain yield, and 100-seed weight were also significantly affected by the desert dust. Overall, the desert dust has adverse effects on yield of cowpea.

KEYWORDS:

• Biological yield
• dust impact
• harvest index
• pollution
• soluble sugar
• proline

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad [33000];