In order to optimize growth, fruit quality and economic return, commercial strawberry production requires intensive and precise fertilization throughout the season.
Group tours of three of the most widely used N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agronomic Services labs have resumed. Groups can book a tour for the nematode assay; plant, waste solution and media; and soil testing labs Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Growers and homeowners throughout the state use these labs for soil and growing recommendations. In fiscal year 2022, these labs analyzed 379,039 samples and issued 52,414 reports. Tours had been discontinued due to COVID and concerns for the safety and health of workers and the public.
Now that harvest is complete, the focus for many growers turns to soil sampling and formulating nutrient management plans for next season. For some, it is a time to reflect on yields and if goals were not met, ponder different strategies.
Joseph Hudyncia of Apex is the new Section Chief of Field Services for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agronomic Services Division.
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Nematode Assay Lab is warning North Carolina growers to expect turnaround times of 15 weeks or longer for routine (predictive) nematode samples submitted this year.
Samples submitted for diagnostic testing, including molecular diagnosis of guava root-knot nematode species, will be given priority and those results should be available in around five working days. Currently, there are around 15,400 samples waiting analysis.
The busy season has begun for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic soil testing lab and growers, gardeners and homeowners are reminded to submit their samples before Dec. 1 to ensure faster turnaround on results and avoid peak-season testing fees.
The peak season is anticipated to run from Dec. 1 to March 31, 2023. During that time, there is a $4 fee per sample. Testing outside the peak season is free.
Spring brings our lawns and gardens alive from the winter. Spring is also an excellent time to submit your soil samples to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services soil testing lab for lime and fertilizer recommendations.
“Soil testing helps protect the environment by determining and advising users on what nutrients are needed to ensure optimal plant growth,” said Jagathi Kamalakanthan, NCDA&CS soil agronomist. “Plus, it can save people money especially since fertilizer costs have increased dramatically this year.”
Spring is a busy time on the farm with growers preparing equipment, working on lime and fertilizer applications, and making cropping decisions even as commodity prices are fluctuating daily.
Fertilizer prices, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are through the roof this year, unprecedented since around 2008. Lime costs have also increased. Transportation and global supply chain concerns are all factors. How can farmers best manage high-cost nutrient inputs and maximize profitability this year?
Peak-season soil testing fees are set to take effect Dec. 1 through March 31, 2022, pending final approval by the N.C. Board of Agriculture at its Nov. 19 meeting. Submitting soil samples to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Services lab before that date will mean growers and homeowners can avoid the $4 per sample fee.
Commercial strawberry production requires intensive and precise fertilization. The best way to decide how much fertilizer to supply is to collect leaf and petiole samples and have them tested for nutrient levels. By monitoring nutrient levels and adjusting fertilization accordingly, growers can easily optimize crop growth, fruit quality and economic return.