Microclimate Modification, Evapotranspiration, Growth and Essential Oil Yield of Six Medicinal Plants Cultivated Beneath a Dynamic Agrivoltaic System in Southern Italy
This study, conducted in Southern Italy in 2023, investigated the effects of a dynamic agrivoltaics (AV) system on microclimate, water consumption, plant growth, and essential oil yield in six medicinal species: lavender (<i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> L. ‘Royal purple’), lemmon thyme (&l...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | Plants |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/15/2428 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | This study, conducted in Southern Italy in 2023, investigated the effects of a dynamic agrivoltaics (AV) system on microclimate, water consumption, plant growth, and essential oil yield in six medicinal species: lavender (<i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> L. ‘Royal purple’), lemmon thyme (<i>Thymus citriodorus</i> (Pers.) Schreb. ar. ‘Aureus’), common thyme (<i>Thymus vulgaris</i> L.), rosemary (<i>Salvia rosmarinus</i> Spenn. ‘Severn seas’), mint (<i>Mentha spicata</i> L. ‘Moroccan’), and sage (<i>Salvia officinalis</i> L. subsp. <i>Officinalis</i>). Due to the rotating solar panels, two distinct ground zones were identified: a consistently shaded area under the panels (UP), and a partially shaded area between the panels (BP). These were compared to an adjacent full-sun control area (T). Microclimate parameters, including solar radiation, air and leaf infrared temperature, and soil temperature, were recorded throughout the cultivation season. Reference evapotranspiration (ET<sub>O</sub>) was calculated using Turc’s method, and crop evapotranspiration (ET<sub>C</sub>) was estimated with species-specific crop coefficients (K<sub>C</sub>). Results showed significantly lower microclimatic values in the UP plot compared to both BP and especially T, resulting in ET<sub>C</sub> reductions of 81.1% in UP and 13.1% in BP relative to T, an advantage in water-scarce environments. Growth and yield responses varied among species and treatment plots. Except for mint, all species showed a significant reduction in fresh biomass (40.1% to 48.8%) under the high shading of UP compared to T. However, no biomass reductions were observed in BP. Notably, essential oil yields were higher in both UP and BP plots (0.60–2.63%) compared to the T plot (0.51–1.90%). These findings demonstrate that dynamic AV systems can enhance water use efficiency and essential oil yield, offering promising opportunities for sustainable, high-quality medicinal crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2223-7747 |