Effect of Simulated Photovoltaic Roofs on the Yield and Nitrate Content of Pak Choi and Rape

Integrating solar modules into agricultural production constitutes a novel type of agricultural industry. We evaluated the effect of setting opaque plastic solar modules on greenhouse roofs on the crop growth inside greenhouse. The opaque plastic agricultural films simulating the material of solar m...

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Published inHortScience Vol. 58; no. 11; pp. 1297 - 1305
Main Authors Hsiao, Chiao-Ling, Wang, Ching-Yuh, Hsu, Yi-Ting
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) 01.11.2023
Subjects
agrivoltaic system
leafy vegetable
light intensity
production
quality
shade
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Summary:Integrating solar modules into agricultural production constitutes a novel type of agricultural industry. We evaluated the effect of setting opaque plastic solar modules on greenhouse roofs on the crop growth inside greenhouse. The opaque plastic agricultural films simulating the material of solar modules and the greenhouse roofs covered with these films were used, and the yield and nitrate content of pak choi ( Brassica chinensis ‘Bekamaru’) and rape ( Brassica napus ‘Dragon’) under these films were measured. The results indicated that the yield of pak choi did not change considerably by a simulated photovoltaic (SPV) roof with a shading rate of 38% compared with an uncovered plastic (PL) roof. However, during the first and second planting periods, the yield of rape under the PL roof substantially exceeded that under the SPV roof by 31% and 34%, respectively, indicating that the effect of shading on the yield of rape was greater than that on the yield of pak choi. In addition, the appearance of pak choi and rape also changed under the SPV roof, such as fewer leaves, lower chlorophyll content, and larger specific leaf areas. Nevertheless, the nitrate content of crops grown under the SPV roof exceeded that of crops grown under the PL roof. In conclusion, based on the expression of yield and growth of crops, pak choi is suitable for cultivation in greenhouses that are equipped with photovoltaic systems. However, to prevent plants from accumulating excessive nitrate, attention must be focused on the amount and frequency of nitrogen fertilizers application.
ISSN:0018-5345
2327-9834
DOI:10.21273/HORTSCI17240-23