Crop Production and Management

One of the strengths of the faculty in the Department of Horticultural Science is the wide array of commodity-specific expertise in the area of production. This enables our faculty to bridge between applied research and the delivery of that knowledge to the industry.

Floriculture/Greenhouses

Dr. Dennis Werner walking in a field of flowers. — Dr. Dennis Werner walking among a field of flowers that he bred

North Carolina is one of the lead production states for floriculture/greenhouse production, ranked 4th in the nation with over $234M in value based on the 2015 USDA statics. Research at NC State is primarily focused on problem-solving industry-related production issues. Basic research and an active ornamental plant breeding round out a holistic focus of the floriculture research program.

Fruits

North Carolina is a lead producer of both tree and small fruits. Active tree fruit research programs focus on peaches, pecans and apples. Cane fruit, strawberries and grapes are also emphasized as research priorities

Vegetables

Vegetable research focuses on both the production and post-harvest aspects. North Carolina is strategically located half way up the Eastern coast of the U.S., which strategically places growers in an important niche of supplying fresh produce.

Two women talking in a hops yard. — Dr. Jeanine Davis and Casebeer discuss latest hops production.

The USDA defines “specialty crops” as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). For most of us, however, “specialty crops” refers to the more unusual horticultural crops such as ginseng, culinary herbs, stevia, hops, and industrial hemp. That is how we classify “specialty crops” in our department and we have many faculty working on new, unusual, and emerging crops.

Nursery Crops

Nursery production occurs in most every county of the state. Production is focused on in the field an containerized growing. Research supports the industry with applied results that enhance the profitability of their operations.

Controlled Environments Production

Controlled Environment Horticulture is the production of specialty crops under indoor production systems with the technology to control the environment such as greenhouses, vertical farms/plant factories, tissue culture, and post-harvest. In this field of study, we use the science of plant eco-physiology to understand plant responses to the different environmental factors.

Weed Science

Weed Science research in the Department of Horticultural Science encompasses applied and basic studies designed to improve weed management in horticultural cropping systems and urban landscapes, understand the biology of crop and weed interactions, and investigate the molecular bases for herbicide resistance. Home gardeners and large-scale producers benefit from weed management knowledge and resources.

Substrates

Dr. Brian Jackson displaying a plant wood substrate trial.

Each day we face new challenges in floriculture. Growers are aware of the current emphasis being placed on water quality, water conservation, and the reduction of runoff from agricultural industries. Another issue that reaches beyond floriculture and affects society as a whole is solid waste management and waste product utilization. Here at NC State, these issues are being addressed by a powerful research unit, the Horticultural Substrates Laboratory.

Wood Substrates