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N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative

Driving Innovation in N.C. Agriculture

At the June 2024 North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative workshop “Charting a Future: Interdisciplinary Research Across N.C. Commodities,” leaders in North Carolina’s commodity sectors identified seven priority areas for N.C. PSI research. Here, we highlight some of the impactful work already underway in these areas. 

#1 EARLY DETECTION OF PESTS AND PATHOGENS

Development of a Multi-Scale Disease Phenotyping System

Lirong Xiang, Biological and Agricultural Engineering

six-legged spider robot

PROBLEM: Without timely intervention, downy mildew, a pervasive disease in cucurbits, can lead to major crop losses. Traditional detection methods are labor-intensive and often reactive.

SOLUTION: Lirong Xiang’s team is developing a legged “spider” robot capable of walking through fields, sampling airborne spores and detecting disease presence in real time. The system will map disease hotspots and instantly alert farmers with precise spraying recommendations.

IMPACT: By enabling early and precise disease detection, this system will help farmers protect crop yield, optimize pesticide use and reduce environmental impact. 

TIMELINE: The technology is expected to be available to farmers within the next 1–3 years.

More Early Detection Research

  • Automated Traps Targeting Lepidopteran Pests Anders Huseth, Alper Bozkurt, Kara Peters, Yuchen Liu and others
  • Early Disease Detection and Management for Pierce’s Disease of Grapevines Jing Zhang and Alexa McDaniel
  • Real-Time Analytics to Monitor and Predict Emerging Plant Diseases Jean Ristaino, Qingshan Wei, Chris Jones and others

#2 AUTOMATION FOR LABOR EFFICIENCY

Nema-AI: Automatic Nematode Classification and Morphological Analysis

Edgar Lobaton, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Adrienne Gorny, Entomology and Plant Pathology

Much-magnified image of the root-know nematode

PROBLEM: Nematodes are microscopic pests that significantly impact agricultural productivity. Current methods for detecting and classifying nematodes are labor-intensive and time-consuming, which delays farmers’ decision-making.

SOLUTION: Edgar Lobaton and Adrienne Gorny are developing an artificial intelligence (AI) system to automate nematode detection and classification. This system will streamline the detection process by integrating a mechanical scanning process with cloud-based AI processing and seamless data integration into technician workflows.

IMPACT: Farmers will be able to make timely management decisions, protecting against damage and losses in cotton, peanuts, tobacco, sweetpotatoes, soybeans and other important crops. 

TIMELINE: The automated system will be completed in 2025.

More Automation Research

Other N.C. PSI faculty projects to advance automation for labor efficiency include:

#3 PRODUCTION FOR HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH

Alternative Crops Program

David Suchoff, Crop and Soil Sciences

a sesame plant in a field

PROBLEM: Limited diversity in traditional row crops constrains opportunities for nutritional and economic gains in agriculture.

SOLUTION: The Alternative Crops Program focuses on applied field research to introduce and expand new and emerging crops that enhance the diversity and resilience of N.C. agriculture. The program works with fiber hemp, grain hemp, sesame, fiber flax, oil sunflower, brassica oilseed and other crops. These crops provide high nutritional value—such as healthy fats and essential nutrients that benefit both humans and animals.

IMPACT: Expanding alternative crops could strengthen the state’s already diverse agricultural portfolio. This also offers N.C. farmers additional high-value options, enhancing agricultural resilience and expanding markets for health-focused products.

TIMELINE: This program’s efforts are ongoing.

More Production for Human and Animal Health Research

N.C. PSI faculty are collaborating with faculty in the Food Animal Initiative (FAI) to drive research in production that benefits both human and animal health.

N.C. PSI Research in Other Top Priorities

BREEDING VARIETIES ADAPTED FOR MACHINE HANDLING AND CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE

Developing Blueberry Varieties with Concentrated Harvest Window Using Computer-Vision and High-Throughput Phenotyping

Jing Zhang, Horticultural Science

N.C. blueberry growers need new high-yield, staggered-maturity southern highbush varieties to extend their harvest window. Jing Zhang’s project employs digital imaging and AI algorithms for high-throughput phenotyping to assess yield and time-to-maturity, enabling breeders to select the best progenies. Tools that will be made publicly available through the project will allow breeders to quantify key traits with precision and enable growers to better plan harvests, optimizing resource use and reducing market saturation risks. Extensive image data has been collected, and preliminary models are trained. Jing Zhang and team have applied for federal (USDA) and state (NCDA&CS) funding to continue tool development.

MONETIZING SUSTAINABILITY

Economics of Climate-Smart Soil Health Practices

Rod Rejesus, Agricultural and Resource Economics

Farmers may hesitate to adopt climate-smart soil health practices due to uncertainties about their economic benefits and long-term profitability. Researchers are evaluating the economic impact of practices such as cover cropping and reduced tillage to help N.C. farmers understand the financial trade-offs and benefits over both the short and long term. By demonstrating the financial benefits of sustainable practices, this research will encourage broader adoption of climate-smart soil management, leading to improved soil health, enhanced crop yields, and greater resilience to climate change, all while promoting farm profitability. The project will deliver economic insights and recommendations within two years.

SOIL ADDITIVES TO MEET PLANT NEEDS

Evaluating Field Efficacy of Beneficial Microbial Inputs on Soybean Production in North Carolina

Mallory Choudoir, Plant and Microbial Biology

N.C. soybean growers face challenges in choosing effective microbial biostimulant products to enhance crop yield and plant health. To address this, Mallory Choudoir is evaluating the field performance of various commercial microbial biostimulants across key soybean-producing regions in the state. By analyzing the effects on soybean yield and soil microbial dynamics, the project aims to provide farmers with tailored recommendations to enhance soybean yield and resilience. Annual evaluations will contribute to a robust, region-specific database, expected to be fully developed within 5–6 years.

TARGETED PEST AND PATHOGEN TREATMENT

Pathogen Control in Vegetable Crops

Lina Quesada, Entomology and Plant Pathology

N.C. vegetable crops are highly vulnerable to a range of pathogens, leading to yield losses and quality concerns. Researchers conduct annual evaluations of fungicides and disease-resistant crop varieties to identify the most effective combinations for controlling pathogens in vegetable crops. By adapting tools to evolving pathogen resistance, the program helps farmers reduce crop losses, ensure consistent yields, and minimize chemical use, promoting sustainable production. This project delivers annual updates on fungicide and disease-resistant variety evaluations.