Source: NCDA&CS, 5/25/17


The N.C. Board of Agriculture on May 24 approved changes to the suite of tests offered by the NCDA&CS Agronomic Services Division.

Here’s a summary of the changes:
Added arsenic, selenium and chromium to the list of heavy metals the division’s Waste Lab can test for. Previously, tests were available only for nickel, cadmium and lead. The fee for heavy metal tests will now be $20 per sample. Another change makes these six heavy metal tests available for research plant, solution and media samples in addition to waste samples. 

Removed the plant designation for molybdenum tests so that this service can be offered for solution, waste and media samples.

Added a test for bulk density for compost and media samples. The service will cost $10 per sample. Bulk density is regularly requested by compost producers. Also, nursery growers who sell plants across the quarantine line for fire ants need to know the bulk density of potting media to determine the correct pesticide application rate.

The new fees and services now must go to the Rules Review Commission for approval before they can take effect.