Research
Organic Accelerator: New Study Investigates Grazing Living Mulches for Soil Health
Organic demand is hot, but organic farms are declining in North Carolina. Ekrem Ozlu and four partner institutions embark on a four-year USDA NIFA project to evaluate cover crop mixes and animals grazing living mulches to jumpstart soil health in organic systems.
Unearthing Soil Solutions for Arsenic Remediation
Arsenic naturally occurs in many North Carolina soils. Owen Duckworth’s lab collaborates with the University of North Carolina’s Superfund Research Program to understand the distribution and effects of naturally occurring arsenic in North Carolina.
USDA-ARS Releases Novel Flood-Tolerant Soybean Germplasm
Ben Fall and the USDA-ARS Soybean Nitrogen Fixation Research Unit has released the first maturity group (MG) VI flood-tolerant soybean line with commercially competitive yield and elevated seed oil.
A New Leaf in Tobacco Breeding
Tobacco is still a major North Carolina cash crop. Ramsey Lewis' modern Nicotiana research ranges from the agronomic improvement of commercial varieties to the genus’ broader use as a model plant.
Could Biostimulants Save Doomed Cotton Seedlings?
Lori Unruh-Snyder discovered that cotton seed damage locations and patterns can accurately predict seedling performance. Now, they are testing ways growers could overcome these deficits.
USDA-ARS Breaks Ground on New Plant Improvement Facility on NC State University Campus
USDA-ARS breaks ground on a state-of-the-art plant improvement facility housing 30-40 experts from ARS and NC State who will conduct research on maize, soybean, wheat, cotton and peanuts.
Field to Fabric: The Journey of Fiber Hemp from Tobacco to Textiles
David Suchoff is leading a five-year grant to study how fiber hemp can act as an alternative to tobacco while taking advantage of North Carolina’s robust textile industry.
Climate Change Brings the Tide to Farmers’ Doorsteps
Climate change is causing sea level rise and increased flooding, threatening North Carolina’s most fertile agricultural land with saltwater intrusion. NC State researchers are testing soils and developing field kits to help farmers quickly adapt to changing conditions.
Agriculture’s Promised Land?
As major companies pledge support for regenerative agriculture, researchers and growers question what role it can play in North Carolina agriculture’s future.
SunGrains Collective Sets The Model For Collaborative Plant Breeding
Small grains breeder Paul Murphy is a founding member of a multi-university breeding program that has become the model for larger producing regions and even other crops.