Data-driven solutions for resilient vegetable production
The Precision Horticulture Laboratory advances vegetable production systems through integrated research, education, and extension. Our work combines plant physiology, precision water and nutrient management, sensor technologies, and automation to develop practical, field-ready solutions for modern agriculture.

What We Do

Precision Water and Nutrient Management

We develop and evaluate irrigation and fertilization strategies that optimize water use efficiency, nutrient uptake, and crop performance. Our work includes sensor- and model-based irrigation scheduling, fertigation strategies, and nitrogen management programs tailored to specialty crops, including ongoing research on nitrogen use efficiency and fertilizer timing in tea production systems in North Carolina.

Crop Stress and Plant Physiology

Our research focuses on plant responses to heat, water, and nutrient stress to inform management practices that improve yield stability, crop quality, and resilience under variable environmental conditions. This work supports the development of production strategies that mitigate abiotic stress across vegetable and specialty crop systems.

Sensors and Decision Support

We integrate thermal, multispectral, soil, and emerging sensing technologies to support data-driven decision making in crop management. These tools are used to monitor plant water status, nutrient dynamics, and stress responses, and to develop practical decision-support systems for growers and advisors.

Soil and Bed Architecture Innovations

We investigate soil and bed management strategies that improve root-zone conditions, water distribution, and treatment efficacy. This includes research on soil fumigation through drip irrigation and the evaluation of alternative bed architectures for tomato and strawberry production to enhance fumigant movement, irrigation efficiency, and crop performance.

Automation and Mechanization

We evaluate labor-saving technologies and innovative production systems aimed at improving efficiency, scalability, and economic sustainability for specialty crop operations.

Impact at a Glance

• Applied research across open-field and protected vegetable systems
• On-farm trials and grower-driven validation in the southeastern United States
• Multi-state and international research collaborations
• Extension programs supporting growers, advisors, and industry partners
• Training of undergraduate, graduate, and visiting scholars

Extension and Grower Resources

For Growers and Advisors

Our extension program translates research findings into practical guidance through field days, workshops, decision tools, and production guides tailored to real-world farming systems.

Our Team

The Precision Horticulture Laboratory is supported by a multidisciplinary team of graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and collaborators working across crops, environments, and technologies.

Work With Us

We collaborate closely with growers, industry partners, and research organizations to address key challenges in vegetable production.

Interested in collaborating, joining the lab, or learning more about our work? Contact us.