Desertification and increasing fine dust have prompted efforts to combat erosion using salinity-tolerant plants. This study assessed the impact of dust exposure on the growth and forage production of three halophyte species-Salsola imbricata, Salicornia persica, and Kochia scoparia in Pakdasht and Pishva, Iran, during the 2020 growing season. Experiments involved a control group (no dust) and two treatment groups exposed to dust for 5 and 10 days across two locations with varying salinity levels and three planting dates (March 20, April 3, April 19). Key traits examined included protein, carbohydrates, chlorophyll, relative humidity, and membrane stability. Results revealed that dust exposure significantly reduced chlorophyll, relative humidity, and membrane stability as exposure duration increased (p < 0.01). Both planting date and dust exposure significantly influenced fresh and dry forage weight in all species (p < 0.05). Additionally, dust significantly affected on protein and carbohydrate (p < 0.05). Although planting date did not significantly impact protein content in any species, it did significantly affect carbohydrate content in K. scoparia and S. imbricata (p < 0.05). These findings underscore the negative impact of dust storms on plant physiology and biochemistry, with variations based on species and environmental conditions. Both planting date and dust exposure significantly affected plant growth, with all measured traits declining under dust stress. However, planting date influenced plant resilience, suggesting timing as a crucial factor in mitigating dust effects. Among the species studied, S. persica showed the highest resistance to both salinity and dust, positioning it as a strong candidate for desert rehabilitation efforts.