AGRIVOLTAICS -PLANT ARCHITECTURE

INTRODUCTION

Agrivoltaics is the practice of using the same land for both agriculture and solar energy production. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy, innovators are turning to cutting-edge solutions that combine multiple benefits. One such solution is Agrivoltaics, a revolutionary approach to farming that integrates solar power generation with agricultural production. In this blog, we’ll delve into the concept of Agrivoltaics plant architecture and its potential to transform the future of farming. My Project is to measure plant parameters for Computerized Tree Generation on HELIOS Software, which broadly termed as Plant architecture.

Key Components of Agrivoltaics Plant Architecture:

Solar Panels: Elevated solar panels are installed above the farmland, allowing for sufficient sunlight to reach the crops below.
Crop Selection: Carefully chosen crops that thrive in partial shade and benefit from the microclimate created by the solar panels.
Water Management: Efficient irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting to optimize water usage.
Soil Health: Implementing regenerative agriculture practices to enhance soil fertility and biodiversity.

Benefits of Agrivoltaics:

Increased Land Use Efficiency: Dual-purpose land use for both agriculture and solar power generation.
Improved Crop Yields: Partial shade and microclimate conditions can boost crop growth and reduce water stress.
Renewable Energy Generation: Clean energy production reduces carbon footprint and supports sustainable agriculture.
Enhanced Biodiversity: Regenerative agriculture practices promote ecosystem services and support pollinators.

10/09/2024

Beginning of the project.

, We had a first meeting with Nimish Sir to know about fundamentals of these project. In these meeting we discussed about Helios software which creates 3D plant in software. So to take measurements we decided to grow 10 different types of plants on open field at Vigyan Ashram Pabal. After meeting we concluded that there will be Five stages of these project namely, Along with me, Ranjit sir and Bhanudas sir were present for these meeting.

Plantation of different plants
Nourishment of plants
Daily observation of plants
Weekly Measurements of plants
Generation of 3D plant in software data.

21/09/2024

We had a Second meeting with Nimish sir to discuss plant parameters in detail. In these meeting we discussed about Internode, Petiole, Leaf, Peduncle, Inflorescence and Phytomers of plant through Helios Website. Also I learned to take plant measurements like Height, Width, Pitch (Angle between main stem and petiole), Phyllotactic angle (Arrangement of leaves on plants) , Phyllocron (Number of internodes on plant), Petiole length (Part below leaf), Internode Length, Type of leaves (Simple or Compound leaf) etc..

23/09/2024

Plantation of plants and Observation Started.

I have planted Marigold, Brinjal, Chilli, Okra, Tomato, Crysanthemum and Cucumber plants in open field at backside of kitchen in Vigyan Ashram Pabal for these project. On next day, I have started to take sample measurements along with photographs of these plants to show them in our next meeting.

1.Marigold

2.Brinjal

3.Okra

4.Chilli

5.Tomato

6.chrysanthemum

7.Cucumber

24/09/2024

, We had a Third meeting and discussed Shoot parameters like Shoot length, Phytomers on shoot, Initial and Final Internode Radius, Child insertion angle,, maximum and mininmum internode length in detail using Excel sheet.

3/10/2024

On 3rd October, We had a fourth meeting with Nimish Sir for clearing our doubts regarding shoot parameters and showed them actual measurements taken by using Photographs and the measurements noted in table format in notebook

4/10/2024

We had a fourth meeting with Nimish Sir and discussed about preparation of Excel sheet of measurements. In Excel sheet I filled all the measurements clearly. Also manual weeding is done in field

5/10/2024

Observation of plants and watering by hand.

7/10/2024

I planted our 8^th crop Rose in bags for these Project and On 11^th October I prepared Excel sheet of our First Readings. Also I provided support to Cucumber and Tomato Plant by using Thread.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jmMbweVhXc4W3YrAp7_PNiILmBaXFgG2/edit?copiedFromTrash=&gid=493967032#gid=493967032

11/10/2024

I see an attack of Leaf minor on cucumber and attack of Thrips and Mites on Chilli plant. So, I decided to spray an insecticide. So, Spraying of Gracia @ 0.5 ml for 500 ml of water and Pallet @ 2ml for 1 litre of water at evening 6 PM. On same day, I have done drawing of leaves on Graph paper to get an actual size of leaf. The manual weeding is done by me in field.

13/10/2024

Attack of Leaf minor on cucumber also Thrips and mites on chilli. So, Spraying of Gracia @ 0.5 ml/500 ml water and Pallet @ 2ml/Lit of water at evening 6 PM.
Leaves of plants are drawn on Graph paper to get actual size of leaf.
Weeding in field.

14/10/2024

Plantation of Turmeric on field.

Flowering of Cucumber and Marigold

I done plantation of our 9^th crop Turmeric in bags. On same day, I selected 3 plants in each row to take further measurements. Weekly measurements were taken at Evening.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12ROo1AiGChpUQB3p2Xy_ajIG1qvU2UiU/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=105468869488044515681&rtpof=true&sd=true

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_PZTP1Vm8ZioKW9cZYuiiEk0VUsMxvns

15/10/2024

On 15^th October I took second spray of same insecticide to control Leaf minor, Thrips and Mites at morning 7 AM. Prepared Excel sheet of second readings taken.

16/10/2024

Fertilizer dosing of 19:19:19 and Biozyme is done by drenching to increase Root growth of plants.

19:19:19 = 60 gm for 15 lit of water and

Biozyme = 30 ml for 15 lit of water.

18/10/2024

On 18^th October, The drenching of Humic acid is done to Rose and Turmeric and in Afternoon, Ranjit Sir visited to plot. Manual weeding is done in field