Description
Agrivoltaics production systems have gained traction globally, holding promise to supply energy and food concurrently from the same unit of land. Studies investigating shade tolerant crops to optimize production under solar panels have mostly followed the findings of agroforestry studies. However, spectral composition of transmitted radiation in agrivoltaic and agroforestry production systems may not be the same, inducing different shade responses of understory crops. A pot trial investigating the effect of shade source on biomass production and morphology of perennial ryegrass, ribwort plantain and white clover was established during spring, in Oregon, USA. Treatments were solar panel shade, hazelnut tree shade and no shade. Ryegrass plants located under tree shade were lighter (0.18 g/plant; P < 0.01) but taller (38 cm) compared to those grown under solar panel shade (0.48 g/plant; 31 cm) and in open areas (0.59 g/plant; 13.3 cm). In contrast, 2.4 tillers/plant under tree shade were recorded compared to 5.6 and 9.2 tillers/plant under solar panel shade and open areas, respectively. Root length of ryegrass was similar in open areas (27.5 cm) and under solar panels (30.9 cm) but shorter (P < 0.01) under tree shade (17.3 cm). Plantain grown under tree shade was taller (P < 0.01) than under panel shade, and shortest in open areas, though having more leaves (11.3/plant; P < 0.01) than under trees (6.6/plant) and panel shade (8.1/plant). However, plant DM weight did not differ between shade regimes (P=0.47). Root length of plantain grown under solar panels was longer (17.4-23.3%) than in open and tree shade areas. White clover grown under solar panels were almost 2.5 times taller than in open areas. Stolon numbers and lengths were not affected by shade treatments. Our results indicate substantial differences in shade quality induced by solar panels and hazelnut trees, thus affecting understory forages differently.
Citation
Kirschten, H.; Graham, M.; Ates, S.; Maxwell, T. M. R.; and Rosati, A., "Response of Pasture Plants to Shade in Agroforestry and Agrivoltaic Production Systems" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 27.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/XXV_IGC_2023/Livestock/27
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Response of Pasture Plants to Shade in Agroforestry and Agrivoltaic Production Systems
Agrivoltaics production systems have gained traction globally, holding promise to supply energy and food concurrently from the same unit of land. Studies investigating shade tolerant crops to optimize production under solar panels have mostly followed the findings of agroforestry studies. However, spectral composition of transmitted radiation in agrivoltaic and agroforestry production systems may not be the same, inducing different shade responses of understory crops. A pot trial investigating the effect of shade source on biomass production and morphology of perennial ryegrass, ribwort plantain and white clover was established during spring, in Oregon, USA. Treatments were solar panel shade, hazelnut tree shade and no shade. Ryegrass plants located under tree shade were lighter (0.18 g/plant; P < 0.01) but taller (38 cm) compared to those grown under solar panel shade (0.48 g/plant; 31 cm) and in open areas (0.59 g/plant; 13.3 cm). In contrast, 2.4 tillers/plant under tree shade were recorded compared to 5.6 and 9.2 tillers/plant under solar panel shade and open areas, respectively. Root length of ryegrass was similar in open areas (27.5 cm) and under solar panels (30.9 cm) but shorter (P < 0.01) under tree shade (17.3 cm). Plantain grown under tree shade was taller (P < 0.01) than under panel shade, and shortest in open areas, though having more leaves (11.3/plant; P < 0.01) than under trees (6.6/plant) and panel shade (8.1/plant). However, plant DM weight did not differ between shade regimes (P=0.47). Root length of plantain grown under solar panels was longer (17.4-23.3%) than in open and tree shade areas. White clover grown under solar panels were almost 2.5 times taller than in open areas. Stolon numbers and lengths were not affected by shade treatments. Our results indicate substantial differences in shade quality induced by solar panels and hazelnut trees, thus affecting understory forages differently.
