Agronomic Division — 1999 Annual Report
Donald W. Eaddy, PhD, director, (919) 733-2655
enhancing agricultural productivity and environmental quality
During 1999, the Agronomic Division achieved the following milestones in its various capacities
as a service, education, and research agency.
Service
Agronomic specialists in each section of the division provide advice and recommendations,
primarily with regard to efficient crop fertilization and effective nematode management. Within
the field services section, regional agronomists are stationed throughout the state to provide on¬
site visits to growers; to troubleshoot crop growth problems; and to give advice on sampling,
interpreting reports, and implementing nutrient management plans.
In fiscal year 1998-99, division laboratories processed more than 374,000 soil, nematode, plant
tissue, waste, and solution samples. To help handle this heavy workload, the division filled two
newly created Medical Laboratory Assistant positions and hired additional temporary personnel.
A new Chemistry Technician III position, created to ease the workload burden, was lost to year-
end state budget cuts before it was filled.
Upgrades in laboratory equipment continue to progress. The plant/waste/solution laboratory
acquired a new Perkin Elmer 3300DV ICP (inductively coupled plasmaspectrometer) for more
efficient analysis of essential elements and selected heavy metals in plant, waste, and solution
samples. A new bulk argon tank, along with a monitoring and distribution system, was installed to
help increase laboratory productivity and reduce “downtime” due to insufficient supplies of argon
for all ICP units.
The waste analysis and soil testing laboratories continue to comply with environmental
requirements mandated by Senate Bill 1217. Both labs operate under N.C. Department of
Environment and Natural Resources' Division of Water Quality (DENR-DWQ) certification and,
as such, are qualified to provide testing for animal waste permit compliance.
In cooperation with DENR’s Solid Waste Section, regional agronomists monitored and sampled
ashes from animal incineration sites in four counties following Hurricane Floyd. Samples were
analyzed in the Plant/Waste/Solution laboratory. The resulting chemical data were forwarded to
DENR to coordinate the final disposition of these materials.
New environmental regulations have increased workloads for regional agronomists. To help in
this regard, Steve Dillon was hired to fill a new regional agronomist position covering Cleveland,
Gaston, Henderson, Lincoln, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties. There are
now 14 regional agronomists serving North Carolina’s 100 counties.
