الآثار المناخية للعواصف الغبارية على زراعة الحمضيات في قضاء الضلوعية

Abstract

This study aims to determine the extent of the climatic impacts of dust storms on citrus production, both in terms of quantity and quality. This study addresses one of the environmental problems facing agriculture in the Dhuluiyah district which is the impact of dust storms on citrus cultivation. It has been shown that this phenomenon has significantly contributed to the decline in agricultural production in the region, as recurring dust storms have led to a reduction in citrus cultivated areas and a continuous decline in production quantities. The results indicated that the majority of dust storms affecting the district were of external origin, and their impact was exacerbated by local natural factors, most notably wind erosion, high evaporation rates, and low humidity levels, especially during the summer, which is characterized by extreme drought and high temperatures. The study also demonstrated that dust storms have a direct negative impact on the health and productivity of citrus trees, as they clog pores and reduce the efficiency of photosynthesis, impairing tree growth and reducing fruit quality. Conversely, it has been found that suspended and rising dust can have a limited positive effect, contributing to lowering plant surface temperatures by reducing the amount of direct solar radiation, thus alleviating the heat stress that trees experience during peak heat periods.