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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences

Research & Extension Programs

Our land-grant roots inspire us to deliver workable solutions for the real world. Through a wealth of research and extension programs — from air quality to weed science — we strive to create prosperity in North Carolina and beyond.

Air & Water Quality and Buffers

Protecting air and water quality is critical to sustaining ecosystem services for the state of North Carolina. Research and outreach in these areas, as well as riparian buffers, are an important component within the department.

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Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture

Our sustainable agriculture faculty collaborte with other departments on sustainable agriculture research, extension, and teaching projects that focus on meeting our current and future agricultural needs for food and fiber and protecting natural resources.

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Checking blueberries for disease in Western NC

Commodity Production and Management

We develop and deliver new information to our growers on the best management practices to employ for the efficient production of high-quality agricultural products. Research, extension, and teaching programs in this area examine factors affecting crop growth, development, and productivity.

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A pasture with a mixed of forage varieties

Forage and Grassland Agronomy

Forage plants and grazing lands play a key role in North Carolina’s agriculture. In addition to providing a source of feed for livestock, forage plants provide additional ecosystem services to society and have potential as an alternative source for the production of bioenergy.

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Precision agriculture field map of corn yield

Geographic Information Sciences

Application of geospatial and precision technologies is important to the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of agriculture as well as the protection of our natural resources.

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Integrated Pest Management

Integrated pest management (IPM) is socially acceptable, environmentally responsible, and economically practical crop protection. We generally think of pests as insects, diseases, and weeds, but there are many other types. We now also deal with pests in many non-crop situations, such as human health and comfort.

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a closeup of soil particles

Molecular Environmental Soil Science

The Molecular Environmental Soil Science (MESS) research program seeks to understand the fundamental biological and chemical processes that control the speciation, transformation, bioavailability, fate, and transport of nutrients and contaminants in the environment.

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Crop and Soil Sciences Scholarships cultivate student excellence

Nutrient Management

The relationship between agricultural productivity and environmental protection are essential areas of the research and extension programs in the Crop and Soil Sciences Department. Previous departmental efforts in this area have resulted in improved nutrient recommendations for crop production and protection of NC water resources.

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Close up of turf grass bloom isolated in a bag for breeding

Plant Breeding, Genetics & Molecular Biology

Our department has breeding, genetics, and plant molecular biology programs in corn, cotton, peanuts, small grains, turfgrass, soybeans, and tobacco. Emphasis is placed on developing cultivars and germplasm lines with increased yield, pest resistance, improved nutritional and flavor quality, and tolerance to environmental stresses.

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Plant Physiology & Biochemistry

Crop, forage, and turfgrass physiology and biochemistry faculty investigate processes affecting crop growth and development; plant resistance to stresses such as heat, drought, pests and atmospheric pollutants; and the chemistry and biochemistry underlying those processes. Physiological processes being studied include nutrient assimilation, transport, partitioning, and utilization; plant water relations; secondary metabolism and its role in plant pest resistance and quality; plant growth regulation; seed germination; root and vegetative growth; and flowering and fruiting.

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Precision agriculture research drone in corn field

Precision Agriculture

Historically, crop and soil management practices have been made and applied at the field level. Management at the field level works well with small fields and large fields which have little spatial variability. Precision agriculture, also known as site-specific management, addresses spatial variability within a field and how to best manage that variability to maximize production and profitability while minimizing risk. Site-specific management may be applied to such decisions as variety selection, weed and pest management, nutrient management, and irrigation.

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overhead view of water treatment plant

Septic Systems and Soil Properties

Our department has a strong program in on-site waste treatment and disposal. This program deals mainly with residential wastewaters and their disposal through surface and subsurface septic systems. Factors such as siting, design, operation, and environmental impacts are considered.

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dirty hands holding soil

Soil Ecology

Soil ecology is the study of how soil organisms interact with other organisms and their environment – their influence on and response to numerous soil processes and properties form the basis for delivering essential ecosystem services.

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Soil Physical Properties, Hydrology & Erosion

Soil physical properties affect water flow and sediment transport across the landscape, control chemical and pollutant movement from surface and subsurface sources to groundwater, regulate natural temperature dynamics and gas exchange with the atmosphere, and determine soil productivity for plant growth.

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Brynna Bruxellas prepares a drone for flight at an NC State turfgrass field lab.

Turfgrass Science

The turfgrass faculty serve the entire turfgrass industry by evaluating new and existing cultivars, production practices, fertility systems and pest management systems. Turfgrass production and management programs are constantly being created or updated as a result of these research efforts. Our faculty use this new information to teach and train future and present turfgrass managers through courses along with lab exercises, seminars, and professional meetings.

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Waste lagoon and hog houses on a farm outside of Kinston.

Waste Management

The Department has an active research and extension program dealing with the treatment and management of agricultural, industrial, and by-product wastes.

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Weed Science

Weed science faculty conduct research on fundamental principles and new technologies in weed science; integrate new knowledge into developing improved and sustainable weed management programs; provide high quality weed science education and training; promote adoption of economically sustainable, environmentally sound weed management systems; and advance professionalism in the discipline.

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Mapping salinity gradients in NC wetland soils

Wetland Soils

The wetland soils program studies hydric soils of jurisdictional wetlands as well as soils that have seasonally high water tables within 1 m of the surface.

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4-H and Youth Extension

Our Extension specialists work within communities to grow youth exposure to crop, horticulture and soil sciences.

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