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On 28 June, four foot tomato stakes were set into place in the Agrivoltaic research plots at RAREC (Figure 1). Prior to setting stakes, test stakes were placed at one end of the double-panel AV block to see if the stakes would clear of the rotation of the panels. The AV panels, double or single array, sit at a 60 degree angle at its furthest rotation to the east in the morning or to the west in the evening. This was important to test because of the final placement of the five mulched beds with the panel block. Most importantly, due to the location on the plastic mulch and transplants in the rows immediately next to the east or west side of the posts which support the double AV panels (Figure 2). Stake clearance was monitored to 24 hours to allow for the double AV panels to undergo a full tracking cycle. Evaluating the distance of the stakes in the single-panel AV array block were not necessary because of the higher ground clearance of the single AV panels.
Figure 1. Tomato stakes getting ready to be placed in field to tie the specialty crops (eggplant, bell pepper, fresh-market tomato) transplanted at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) near Bridgeton, NJ.
Figure 2. Placement of test stake outside the area of rotation in the double panel array block to test for stake clearance.
In some rows, the panel rotation to the east or west were within a finger’s length from the pounded tomato stakes in the double panel AV block (Figure 3). Note that the placement of the stake needs to line up within the row of transplanted specialty crop. In our study, if the mulched beds were transplanted in double rows, the transplants and stakes would have been closer to the panel rotation and would have required shorter stakes, or using no stakes at all, or possibly result in laying one less mulched bed to allow panel rotation.
Figure 3. Distance of double panel AV array to the top of the tomato stake.
Once clearance was established stakes were pounded by hand into place in each row at a spacing of every three plants.
Figure 4. Tomato stakes set into place in the double panel AV array, single panel AV array, and no panel (conventional) blocks at the at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) near Bridgeton, NJ.
Tying began on 3 July and continued for a few days using the weave technique for the first tie. Additionally, tying will be done as the specialty crops grow during the production season.
Figure 5. Applying the first tie to the specialty crops at the at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) near Bridgeton, NJ.
Articles and images can be used by Permission from the Rutgers RAPS Team only – For Permission contact RAPS at shawn.sorrels@rutgers.edu.
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