Peanut Belt Research Station

Researchers at the 372-acre Peanut Belt Research Station breed peanut lines with better yields, USDA grades and resistance to diseases and insects. North Carolina is one of the nation’s top producers of peanuts, and nearly 80 percent of Virginia-type peanuts grown in the state come from breeding lines developed at the station.

In addition to peanut research, NC State scientists conduct crop rotation trials and test fertilization methods for crops like corn, cotton, soybeans and clary sage.

What We Do

Peanuts

Research programs at the station strive to reduce damage caused by peanut diseases through the integrated use of host resistance, seed treatments, fungicides, disease advisories and innovative cultural practices such as introducing cover crops and crop rotation.
NC State scientists also develop peanut cultivars using traditional plant breeding methods and molecular techniques.

Peanut crop at Peanut Belt Research Station

Cotton

NC State scientists at the station evaluate different cotton breeding lines to develop new traits and elite varieties. Their work also includes genetically modified organism (GMO) regulated tests, weed control, insect control and fertilization studies.

Corn

Corn research at the station includes breeding and trials for varieties, plant population and irrigation. NC State scientists work to provide corn growers with innovative and sustainable weed management solutions and to improve resistance to Fusarium ear rot in corn.

Soybeans

Scientists specializing in soybeans conduct trials on fertilization, varieties and weed control at the station. They developed advanced tools and knowledge useful for plant breeders, especially in North Carolina where soybeans cover more ground than any other crop.

Soybean rows at Peanut Belt Research Station

Making Peanuts Better

Scientist surrounded by plants in a greenhouse — Tom Stalker has been on a winning streak, honored by the Crop Science Society of America, N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper and the Eagle Scout program.

Award-winning CALS plant scientist Tom Stalker is known as one of the world’s leading peanut scientists. The breeding lines he’s developed are used around the world and right here in North Carolina.

Read Story

On-site Weather

For more than 75 years, the Research Stations Division has worked with the National Weather Service (NWS) to provide accurate, statewide weather data. When you hear and see local and national weather reports, you can be sure meteorologists and climatologists are using information gathered from our stations.

Peanut Belt Weather Station

Peanut Field Day

Peanut Field Day is held the first Thursday after Labor Day in September each year.

CHROME Regional Ag Expo

The dates of the CHROME Ag Expo vary. Contact the Research Station for more information or visit the Events section of the NC State Extension website.

Contact Us

Peanut Belt Research Station
112 Research Station Ln
Lewiston Woodville, NC 27849
(252) 348-2213
peanutbelt.resst@ncagr.gov

Peanut Belt Research Station was established in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) Research Stations Division.