Introduction to Agrivoltaic farming
Agrivoltaic farming is the practice of growing crops underneath solar panels. It uses the shaded space left empty under solar panels to grow crop. This is doubling up the land use in this way it could help feed the world’s growing population while providing sustainable energy. According to recent studies, there are shade loving plants which thrive when grown in such environment.
Agrivoltaic farming already in use
Researchers in South Korea have been growing broccoli underneath photovoltaic panels. The panels are positioned 2-3 meters off the ground and sit at an angle of 30 degree providing shade and offering crop protection from the weather.
A study in this project found that the quality of broccoli was not any lower than that of broccoli grown in traditional way.
An Agrivoltaic farming project in Kenya is using solar panels held several meters off the ground, with gap in between them. The shade from the panels protects vegetables from heat stress and water loss.This has resulted in rural farmers being able to grow a greater range of higher-value crops. The project effectively harvests the power of sun twice, the researchers say.
If solar panels can be added to greenhouses, the results could be especially transformative. Greenhouse-based farming reportedly produces 10 times more food than growing in an open field, but it can require 10 times as much power.
14/10/24
This project was alloted to Akash, his internship is about to finish in few days, so I have to continue this project further. This project is on Agrivoltaic farming and under this project we are firstly focusing on plant architecture section. There are some plants such as marigold, okra, chilli, tomato, brinjal, cucumber, chrysanthemum, which are planted in an open field to measure the plant parameters till their full growth. Weekly measurements of plant parameters and daily observation of plants were in process. This measurements were taken to develop a computerized tree generation on HELIOS Software for further comparative study.
- Akash explained me about the whole project
- We went on field to measure plant parameters.
If you are keen to know how this project started from beginning, below I have provided blog link to Akash’s project
https://vadic.vigyanashram.blog/2024/09/28/agrivoltaics-plant-architecture/
Images while taking measurements.
20/10/24 – 21/10/24
- Weekly measurements of plant parameters were taken
- Weeding in field
- Cleared certain doubts regarding parameters to be measured with Akash.
25/10/24
Drenching was done by 90 gm of 0:52:34 in 15 litres of water
Daily observation of plants which includes observation of leaves, flowers, fruits and providing dosing and sprays accordingly. Check soil moisture and provide irrigation to plants.
27/10/24 – 28/10/24
- Weekly measurements of plant parameters were taken.
- Filling data in excel sheet, uploading plant photos on drive.
- Weeding in poly bags.
Link to photos of plants captured weekly
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BZol6tZFD8qTD1NHvt8fqiKBOnglBTkx
Link to excel sheet
4/11/24
Weekly measurements of plant parameters were recorded.
Took photographs of plants to upload.
6/11/24
Filling measurement data in excel sheet
Link to excel sheet
Link to photos of plants
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Fqx0dBNdwtQIh-eYsZ7WsKQ6kJL9kqKR
Leaf miner on Cucumber leaves were seen
Add 0.5 ml of Gracia insecticide in 500 ml of water. Spraying was done on cucumber leaves at evening 5:00 pm
10/11/24
Yellowing of leaves were observed in cucumber, brinjal and tomato so we did drenching of 13:40:13 (NPK water soluble fertilizer) which is useful in healthy vegetative growth, flowering and fruiting stage of plants.
We took 20 gm of 13:40:13 fertilizer for 10 litres of water ,there are total 90 plants so that per plant will get 100 ml of fertilizer drenching.
11/11/24
Weekly measurements of plant parameters were recorded.
Chilli, tomato, okra, brinjal are at fruiting stage.
Flowering buds are seen on rose and chrysanthemum.
Spraying of insecticide
PALLET ( Propargite 57% EC ) is a insecticide used to control all type of mites and thrips in many crops like brinjal, okra, chillies and other crops. Thrips and mites were observed on leaves of chrysanthemum, chilli, okra and brinjal. To control insects we sprayed insecticide on leaves of plants.
Quantity:
Water – 2 litres
Insecticide- 4 ml
Identification of insects
Fig. Black thrips on chilli
Fig. Yellow mites on Okra
Fig. Black thrips and white flies on Okra
12/11/24
Uploaded data on excel sheet.
Link to excel sheet
Link to photos
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1I6HItvDdpFw11RRC4gRtZHligrFJXuLA
16/11/24
Compost fertilizer was provided to all plants. In quantity of 200 gm per plant. Compost fertilizer helps to grow plant healthier and stronger. It improves organic matter content and then provides essential macro and micro nutrients for plant growth.
18/11/24
Weekly measurements of plant parameters were recorded.
20/11/24
Filling of plant data measurement on excel sheet and uploading photos of plants on google drive.
Link to excel sheet
23/11/24
Insects, flies were seen on leaves in increasing numbers so we hanged yellow sticky flytraps. Yellow sticky traps with pheromone in glue are used to seize the male pests, which are lured by pheromone, thus to reduce the mating between male and female pests, and reduce their next generation and quantity. Yellow pests attracts to yellow colour and fly towards it, gets stick and die.
Did insecticide spraying on leaves of chrysanthemum, chilli and okra.
Name: Orgomite
Quantity: 2 ml in 1 litre water
INTRODUCTION TO LI-COR 6800 PORTABLE PHOTOSYNTHESIS SYSTEM
Above pdf includes detail information about LI-COR portable photosynthesis machine.
On 5th Jan, Ravi sir and Nimish sir from APV sunseed visited to our VA campus to provide training on operating the LI-COR 6800 Photosynthesis machine. Following 3 days of hands on practice, we started recording photosynthesis rate measurements through ACI, AQI and VPD curves. For each species of plant a total 30 curves were to be collected. Recently, we have completed strawberry and cucumber and have started for turmeric.
On 14 January, new sets of plants were planted, with five replicates each of:
- Okra
- Chrysanthemum
- Chilli
- Brinjal
- Tomato
These plants will be used for recording plant architecture data and LI-COR photosynthesis machine data, enabling to study their growth and photosynthetic characteristics.
It was decided to measure plant architecture data once in 15 days and take photos of plants weekly
Recorded photosynthesis readings of various parameters, including:
– ACI (photosynthesis vs intracellular concentration of CO2)
– AQI (photosynthesis vs light response)
– VPD (Vapor Pressure Deficit) or stomatal conductance-
Completed readings for the following plants:
1. Turmeric
2. Fenugreek
3. Rose
Took plant architecture measurements for the plants namely chrysanthemum, brinjal, chilli, tomato.
Almost all plants, except brinjal, which was replanted in Phase 2, withered due to heat stroke. So it is decided to replant those left plants for plant architecture measurements in Polyhouse
Maker’s Mela Event (21/2/25-22/2/25)
Participated in Maker’s Mela held at Somaiya University, Vidyavihar, Mumbai
Objective: Provide a platform for innovative projects and cutting-edge technologies
– Exhibited products from Vigyan Ashram:
– H2S water testing kit
– Agri waste decomposer
– AKXY home composter
– Polyhouse data Loggers
showcased projects converted into business:
– Production of Black soldier fly and managing wet waste by black soldier fly larva
-displayed automation projects from Vigyan Ashram’s DIY lab:
1. Line follower robot
2. Motion detector robot
3. Calculator
4. Soil moisture sensor
5. Solar lamp
6. Walking robot
Fig. Vigyan Ashram team at Maker’s Mela
Fig. Engaged with students and stall visitors
Two days experience at exhibition was most valuable in developing my soft skills. I exchanged ideas with various visitors visiting at stall.
25/2/25—9/3/25
Sayali joined our Agrivoltaics team as an intern to assist with collecting LI-COR photosynthesis readings from plants. Before handling her with the machine, I provided thorough training, covering the fundamentals of machine operation and beyond. After two days of hands-on practice, I introduced her to the scientific principles of the machine. I intentionally delayed sharing this information to avoid overwhelming her initially.
5/7/25
Nimish sir visited Vigyan Ashram, he shared some insights about how the Li-COR data we collect from plants through photosynthesis machine is processed further. Data is processed in 2 stages by Ravi sir first and then final stage is done by Nimish sir. So he explained his part of work which he does from website of GIZ
6/3/25 – 26/5/25
Plantation of plants for plant architecture measurements was done.
Further I assisted to Sayali for taking plant photosynthesis data with her alternatively
27/5/25
Nimish Sir visited campus for discussion regarding microclimate in polyhouse. Meeting and Discussion on Polyhouse MicroclimateDiscussed about Polyhouse microclimate with Nimish sir and Dixit .
The primary focus of the discussion was on the experimental design and methodology for investigating the effects of foggers and cellulose pad treatments on the Polyhouse environment.
Fogger Testing:
The proposed experiment involves testing three different foggers (designated A, B, and C) to evaluate their performance and efficacy in controlling the Polyhouse microclimate. The foggers will be evaluated using both untreated and treated water solutions to assess the impact of algae-induced effects on the system.
Cellulose Pad Experiment:
The experiment will also investigate the effects of using different water solutions (untreated and treated) on the cellulose pad. This will help to determine the optimal treatment conditions for minimizing algae growth and maximizing the pad’s performance.
Heat Calculations:
Calculations will be performed to determine the amount of heat trapped within the fully covered Polyhouse. This information will be used to estimate the required water evaporation rate to maintain a stable and optimal microclimate.
Data Logger Placement:
The positions of data loggers within the Polyhouse will be determined to ensure accurate and representative measurements of the microclimate conditions.
Future Work:
The discussion outlined the work to be carried out further, including the experimental design, data collection, and analysis. The meeting concluded with a clear plan for the next steps in the project.
Date: 14/4/25
Below I have share the documentation of 1 st discussion on heat measurement.
16/4/25
4th discussion on heat measurement
