PL EN
Nutrient dynamics in agrivoltaics: Understanding plant responses to altered microclimates
 
 
More details
Hide details
1
Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States
 
 
Corresponding author
Laith Alomari   

Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States
 
 
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Agrivoltaics systems, integrating solar energy generation with agricultural production, offer a promising solution to escalating global demands for food, energy, and sustainable land use. While research has extensively explored yield impacts and system design, a critical knowledge gap persists regarding nutrient dynamics within these modified microclimates. This review addresses this gap by examining how agrivoltaics systems influence plant nutrient uptake, allocation, and overall physiology under altered conditions of light, temperature, and soil moisture. We examine species-specific responses for key nutrients: nitrogen assimilation can be limited by shade; phosphorus dynamics often exhibit variable translocation; potassium and magnesium uptake may be enhanced or impaired depending on shade intensity and crop species; and calcium uptake tends to increase under shading, albeit with potential trade-offs in internal distribution and risk of physiological disorders. These changes are accompanied by adjustments in biomass partitioning and nutrient allocation as plants acclimate to the modified light environment. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying research gaps, this review underscores the need for targeted crop selection, nutrient management, and system optimization to fully harness the potential of agrivoltaics systems for sustainable food-energy co-production.
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top