Station Facts
Sandhills Research Station (SRS) was established in 1940 on a 100-acre tract at Eagle Springs (Moore County), and was moved in 1951 to its present 517-acre site at the intersection of State Road 1003 and County Road 1527 in Jackson Springs (Montgomery County). SRS operates in a unique partnership with the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and N.C. State University.
The deep, sandy soil of SRS provides research scientists unique opportunities to investigate plant-water relationships, plant nutrient movements, and other factors that provide cost and labor efficient ways to produce fruits, vegetables, feed grains, ornamentals, and recreational lawns. Expanding the economy requires even more information and an understanding of public and environmental interests. Research programs at Sandhills cover cultural practices, adaptability, and the management of weeds, diseases, insects, and other agricultural deterrents. Field experiments and research helps growers improve quality and increase the yield of crops suitable for production in the Sandhills of North Carolina.
Research
Maintaining the agricultural economy requires a great deal of information on efficient ways to produce fruits, vegetables, feed grains, ornamentals, and recreational lawns. Expanding the economy requires even more information and an understanding of public and environmental interests. Research programs at the Sandhills Research Station (SRS) cover cultural practices, adaptability, and the management of weeds, diseases, insects and other agricultural pests. Research to help growers improve the quality and increase the yield of crops suitable for production in the sandhills of North Carolina is carried on through field experiments at SRS.
Fruit Crops
Peach, nectarine, and plum research is devoted to developing superior varieties and improving cultural practices, frost protection, fertility, and pest management. More than 30 peach varieties enjoyed worldwide have been developed, named, and released to the public by peach geneticists working at SRS. Several new and very promising selections are currently being evaluated for future release. In addition to stone fruit research, many studies address other fruit crops such as blueberries, brambles, and strawberries. Program expansion continues as the prospects for production of these supplemental crops have increased through SRS research efforts.
Vegetable Crops
Because SRS provides an area of isolation from negative vectors present in many areas across the state involved with intense pepper and cucumber production, research scientists have found it advantageous to study these crops at the Sandhills location. Pepper studies target disease management while cucumber work is part of an ongoing breeding program involving natural mutations. A significant part of the sweetpotato improvement program is conducted at SRS.
Field Crops
Soybean, peanut, corn and small grain studies have increased at Sandhills in the past few years. As we continue to realize the importance of water conservation, the need for improved drought-tolerant soybean varieties increases. Research scientists are using the uniform deep, sandy soils at SRS to provide the low soil moisture environment necessary for the development and evaluation of drought tolerant varieties. From this work, scientists are now optimistic new varieties will soon be released that will increase soybean production. This could have significant economic impact for soybean producers in North Carolina and across the nation.
The most recent addition to the Station’s test crops is turfgrass. Due to its ideal soil type, close proximity to major recreational golfing areas, and local need for increased research on turfgrass production, SRS is well suited to respond to the growing needs of this industry.