During the past two years, momentum has built rapidly for agri-photovoltaic (APV), the technology that allows agricultural land to be used simultaneously for growing crops and generating solar power. The concept is simple: semi or non-transparent solar arrays, with or without tracers, are installed on platforms above the crops, high enough that farmers can carry out their ongoing agricultural activities. Recent studies assert that installation of APV on 1% of the world’s arable land could fill world needs for electricity.
Migal’s APV Knowledge Center is bringing together experts with experience in research of all aspects of plant sciences and crops. Dr.Lior Rubinovich, northern R&D and MIGAL researcher, examine the risks of heat stress on young avocado plants. the worldwide demand for avocados has resulted in the planting of millions of young plants each year. However, global warming, resulting in high temperatures, may severely damage these new plantings.
As published by Dr. Lior, he characterized different physiological parameters of young ‘Hass’ plant leaves following exposure to high temperatures under low light intensity and pinpoint the temperature threshold for significant heat stress damage in these plants.
The study shows that the minor and severe leaf damage was apparent in plants subjected to the 51 °C and 53 °C treatments, respectively. These results imply that the heat damage threshold for young avocado plants under low light intensity conditions is between 49 °C and 51 °C, whereas at 53 °C, severe and irreversible leaf damage occurs.