Field services providing advice on plant nutrient issues and nematode management

              NCDA& CS Regional Agronomists
The goal of the Field Services Section is
to promote agronomically sound nutrient
use and nematode management, thereby
optimizing crop production and fostering
agricultural sustainability. Thirteen regional
agronomists ( RAs) work toward this end by
advocating proper use of agronomic testing
services ( Figure 1). Agronomic Division tests
include soil testing, nematode assay, plant
tissue analysis, waste analysis and solution
analysis.
RAs are crop advisors within the state
department of agriculture. Unlike Cooperative
Extension, which covers a broad agricultural
spectrum, RAs focus on a narrower, well-defined
set of issues. Their mandate is to
provide guidance on crop nutrient and/ or
plant- parasitic nematode problems, specifi cally
with regard to the use of Agronomic Division
laboratory services.
North Carolina is unique in having its agronomic
testing laboratories housed within the state
department of agriculture instead of the state
university. It is also one of very few states to
offer fi ve types of tests for minimal fees, if any.
RAs not only provide education and assistance
with regard to the use of these services but also
bring valuable feedback about fi eld situations
to laboratory and professional staff.
RAs, however, do much more than provide
advice to farmers. Their services are vital
to nursery professionals, landscapers, park
and golf course superintendents, municipal
waste facilities, agricultural consultants, soil
conservationists and water quality specialists,
to name a few. RAs are a highly experienced
source of information on North Carolina soil
and crop nutrient issues.
RAs specialize in lime needs, crop fertilization;
soil amendment; timing of harvest; source
water or nutrient solution evaluation; compost
generation; management of plant- parasitic
nematodes; waste water, sludge and litter
application; and yield optimization. They make
site visits, assess problem situations, suggest
suitable agronomic tests and demonstrate
proper sampling techniques. If necessary, they
review test results with clients to make sure
any recommended management strategies are
clear and straightforward.
Figure 1. Map of regional agronomist county assignments
— names and contact information for specifi c agronomists are available at
www. ncagr. com/ agronomi/ rahome. htm.