Founded in 1902, the Upper Coastal Plain Research Station is known for its disease nurseries, including tobacco black shank and peanut diseases, which are critical for developing and testing resistant cultivars.
It is the oldest of the 18 research stations and scientists conduct extensive projects on the 440-acre site. These projects include tobacco and peanut breeding, disease and insect management studies and testing experimental pesticides for field crops such as corn, soybeans and cotton.
What We Do
Peanuts
Peanut research conducted on the station includes evaluation of breeding lines and varieties for higher yield and resistance to Sclerotinia blight. Scientists evaluate fungicides and plant-growth regulators, conduct crop rotation studies and develop weed management strategies.
Tobacco
Tobacco researchers at the station tackle breeding, disease management, official variety testing, weed management, and on-farm tests to develop and demonstrate tobacco management practices for weeds, fertilization and sucker control. These tests help farmers increase their yields and are an essential component of university research and Extension work.
Cotton
Scientists conduct cotton agronomic research and cotton germplasm evaluation on the Upper Coastal Plain Research Station. They use plant monitoring techniques to manage cotton inputs in a way that maximizes the economic value of outputs while minimizing environmental impacts. The program relies on the cooperation of the experiment station, county faculty, industry and cotton producers.
Sorghum
Sorghum, a corn-like grain, is studied on the station to help growers understand how they could increase yields of sorghum grains and to identify other grain crops that might be profitable. Scientists examine weed and disease issues, including how to prevent or manage a disease that causes the grain to mold, which can sicken hogs and other animals that feed on it.
Organic Tobacco: Off to a Good Start
Researchers tried seven different fertilizer regimens for organic tobacco seedlings.
Matthew Vann, a regular at the Upper Coastal Plain Research Station, has been working to take the guessing game out of one of the most important steps in organic tobacco production: how best to fertilize seedlings.
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.
Held every other year, Cotton Field Day brings together all involved in the NC cotton industry. NC State researchers and Extension faculty showcase their recent cotton research covering a broad array of disciplines including agronomics, weed science, engineering, cotton diseases, insect management and tillage.
Tobacco Tour
Held annually, the Tobacco Tour gives farmers, researchers and visitors a tour of the tobacco fields at the station, demonstrations about new techniques and a scientist-lead discussion about the latest research findings.
Contact Us
Upper Coastal Plain Research Station Creig Deal, Station Superintendent 2811 Nobles Mill Pond Rd Rocky Mount, NC 27801 252.442.7326 stephen.deal@ncagr.gov
