Experimentation is the keyword for the Agrion Foundation, which carries out agricultural research in order to transfer results and knowledge across the entire supply chain, supporting its competitiveness and resilience. In this spirit, in 2021, it launched a project with Insolight, a Swiss company that has been working for a decade to bring a new generation of photovoltaic modules to market. A pilot system was installed at the Fruit Growing Center in Manta for soilless blueberry cultivation, which is now in its third production season.
The results of the trial will be exhibited during the Berry Area event programme at Macfrut from 6 to 8 May 2025.
This is a small-scale experimental system with a production capacity of 10.5 KW, but it allows Agrion to collect data and information to provide practical answers to local farmers. Blueberries were chosen for this trial due to their importance in Piedmont, their compatibility with the structure in terms of plant height, and because they are already grown under anti-hail nets that create a natural shading effect.
The investigation protocol involves observing various aspects of the vegetative and productive behavior of the plants. Surveys are conducted on phenological phases to assess any influence on bud break, flowering, ripening, and finally leaf fall.
Data Collection and Initial Results
During the season, measurements are taken to determine chlorophyll content, leaf size, and the ratio between leaf area and shoot length. As the berries ripen, technicians carry out harvests to quantify the productive yields of each treatment and subsequently perform qualitative analyses.
Despite intentionally starting with very high levels of shading, the results over the two-year period have been promising. Following a discussion between Agrion and Insolight technicians to deepen their understanding of plant behavior, the upcoming season will see variations in shading percentages during certain phenological stages.
Berry AreaThis article is part of a series dedicated to Berry Area in co-operation with Macfrut 2025. This content is in support of the event which will take place May 6-8, 2025 in Rimini Expo Centre, where the Berry Area stands as a reference point for all those seeking innovative solutions for the production and marketing of berries. 👉 Learn more about the Berry Area at this link. |
