Effects of dust deposition from two major dust source regions of Iran on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production

In order to study the effects of dust on yield and yield components of wheat, an experiment was conducted in a factorial layout based on a randomized complete block design with three replicates in Mashhad, Iran in 2015. The experimental factors included the concentration of dust at three levels (0, 500 and 1500 μg.m−3), the number of dust applications (one, two and three) and the type of dust. The results showed that biological yield, grain yield and harvest index significantly decreased and total soluble sugar content increased when plants were exposed to a 1500 μg.m−3 dust concentration.