Dust Particles on Corn (Zea mays) Photosynthesis, Transpiration and Yield in Kermanshah, Iran

摘要

The occurrence of dust storms has become one of the most important concerns in the agricultural regions of Iran, especially in the western parts of the country, in recent years. Few studies have been conducted on the effect of dust particles on the growth and physiology of agricultural plants. Hence, to evaluate the effect of dust particles on gas exchange and grain yield of corn, a field study was conducted at the Research Farm of Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran in 2013. To remove dust particles from the foliage of corn, all aerial parts of corn were washed with water completely. In the dusty treatment (unwashed conditions), natural airborne particles were allowed to cover the corn surface during the entire corn growth season. Gas exchange and grain yield of corn in both washed and unwashed plots were measured. Airborne dust particles significantly decreased grain yield, photosynthetic rate (A), stomata! conductance (g.), sub-stomatal CO2 concentration (CO, maximum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), and performance index (PI) of leaves; leaf temperature (Tleaf), transpiration rate (E), and physiological water use efficiency (PWUE) of corn. Removal of dust from corn shoot surfaces resulted in increased corn grain yield. The use of sprinkler irrigation will not only increase water use efficiency but will also be an important method to reduce the adverse effect of airborne dust on corn growth.