Dr. Weisz' graduate training was in Crop Physiology and Agricultural Engineering. In 1987, he was awarded National Science Foundation Fellow in Plant Biology. Prior to coming to NC State, Dr. Weisz worked in Integrated Pest Management and Site-Specific Insect and Disease Biology and Control in potato cropping systems. Dr. Weisz is now the North Carolina Small Grain Extension Specialist.

Dr. Weisz team teaches Geographical Information Systems in Production Agriculture (CS/SSC 440), serves as advisor to graduate students, conducts research in small grain production, remote sensing, and precision nutrient management, and develops and delivers extensive small grain production training materials and programs throughout NC.

Precision Agriculture

Preparing Students For Research & Employment In Precision Agriculture

Geographical Information Systems in Production Agriculture (CS/SSC 440) is a hands-on laboratory-class exploring the technology and implications of Precision Agriculture. Dr. Weisz teaches sections on field sampling, mapping, interpolation, map interpretation, economic decision making, and development of crop and soil management zones.

Research in precision nitrogen applications for winter wheat

Dr. Weisz has been developing in-season testing methods to aid producers determine how to time nitrogen applications, and how much nitrogen the crop needs to produce optimum yield.

These methods are being expanded to develop systems for pin-pointing variable prescription nitrogen application within fields. Left: Mike Flowers (Ph.D. student) and Dr. Ron Heiniger (project collaborator) prepare one of Dr. Weisz' research fields for remote sensing of crop nitrogen status.

Aerial near-infrared photographs like the one to the right, are taken of the wheat field and used to determine tiller density and plant nitrogen status. These data are then used to make nitrogen recommendations.

The objectives of this research are to allow producers to apply the minimum amount of nitrogen while achieving the optimum economic yield.

Small Grain Production Research

Dr. Weisz began conducting small grain no-till research in 1995. Since then, small grain no-till acreage in NC has increased dramatically. No-till systems are more environmentally friendly, and allow producers to plant small grains quickly and with a minimum of labor. But no-till small grains come at a price. They introduce seedling and head diseases new to NC producers, require more intensive management, and must be planted early. Two serious problems faced by no-till producers are Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus, and Hessian Fly.

No-Till Production

Dr. Weisz conducts no-till winter wheat production research for optimizing nitrogen fertilizer timing and rates, variety selection, and management of seeding diseases and pests.

Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus

Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus is carried by aphids. When the aphids feed on wheat, they pass the virus to the plant. Wheat infected with this disease are stunted, have yellow or red leaves (see picture right), and have reduced yield.

Dr. Weisz is working with a Crop Science Department team including Barry Tarleton and Dr. Paul Murphy to develop methods for infecting research plots with the disease to allow for selection of disease resistant wheat varieties.

Hessian Fly

Hessian Fly is a new problem to North Carolina wheat producers. Epidemic levels of this pest appeared in NC several years ago.

The fly lays eggs on small seedlings. When the larvae hatch, they begin to feed at the base of the stem, severely damaging or killing the plant. The larvae pupate (left) forming small black "flax seed" that carry the fly through the winter to produce another generation when the weather warms. Dr. Weisz is conducting research to find wheat varieties that have resistance to the Hessian fly biotype that has developed in NC.

Small Grain Extension Information and Education

Dr. Weisz teaches extension training programs for producers and agricultural industry personnel. He has written several comprehensive production guides including: 2000-2001 Small Grain Production Guide.