Impact of Agrivoltaic Shade on Beet Curly Top Virus and Yield in Chile Pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Curtovirus spp., a group of widely distributed geminiviruses, are among the most significant plant pathogens in the United States. Beet curly top virus (BCTV), vectored by the beet leafhopper [ Circulifer ( Neoaliturus ) tenellus Baker], causes severe economic losses in crops such as tomatoes, peppers, dry beans, sugar beets, melons, and leafy greens, particularly in the western United States. In New Mexico, chile ( Capsicum annuum ) is vulnerable, with infected plants exhibiting symptoms such as stunting, chlorotic and curled leaves, misshapen fruits, reduced yields, and plant death. Yield losses can reach up to 50% in some years. Current management strategies, including pesticide applications, provide limited protection, leaving growers with substantial losses. Research indicates beet leafhoppers prefer full sun and avoid shaded areas, suggesting potential for innovative pest management strategies. Agrivoltaic systems (AVSs), which combine photovoltaic (PV) installations with agriculture, increase field shade and could potentially deter crop pests. However, the effect of AVS on pest management and chile crop yields remains underexplored. This study evaluated the impact of AVS shade on chile yield and plant growth, beet leafhopper abundance, and BCTV incidence. In 2023 and 2024, ‘NuMex Odyssey’, a New Mexico type chile cultivar, was grown in PV module–shaded and full sun replications at New Mexico State University’s Leyendecker Plant Science Research Center. PV modules provided shade to plants during the morning hours (0630 to 1330 HR), resulting in an 11% reduction in mean light intensity compared with the full sun replications. Full sun replications had more marketable green yield, while PV shaded replications exhibited significantly lower BCTV-affected fruit in 2024 and beet leafhopper abundance in both 2023 and 2024. These findings suggest that shading can reduce beet leafhopper abundance and BCTV incidence, offering potential benefits for chile cultivation.