NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1973 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 1464

HOUSE BILL 1527

 

 

AN ACT APPROPRIATING SUPPLEMENTARY FUNDS TO THE NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION FOR RESEARCH ON AN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING APPLE PRODUCTION IN NORTH CAROLINA.

 

Whereas, the apple industry is important to the agricultural economy of North Carolina; and

Whereas, the 20 to 30 million dollar annual crop is marketed through the fresh market and processing channels; and

Whereas, North Carolina initiates the season by being the first major apple-producing state to harvest fresh market fruit; and

Whereas, the North Carolina apple producer has historically received less than the national average for his crop; and

Whereas, freeze, drought, and heat have seasonally reduced production and quality; therefore it is necessary that techniques be investigated for control of these factors through utilization of over-tree sprinkler irrigation; and

Whereas, the general public has an increasing awareness of the environmental impact of pesticide utilization; therefore it is necessary to develop an integrated pest management system for the most prudent use of pesticides; and

Whereas, the North Carolina apple producer does not have adequate control of market flow due to inadequate storage facilities and storage quality information; therefore it is necessary to initiate studies on the factors that influence optimum storage quality of North Carolina apples; and

Whereas, the apple research resources needed to meet these demands exceed those presently available in terms of technical assistance, equipment and operating funds of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station; Now, therefore,

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

Section 1.  There is hereby appropriated from the General Fund of the State, through the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station at North Carolina State University, to the Departments of Entomology and Horticultural Science, in addition to all other appropriations, a total sum of sixty-two thousand seven hundred thirty-two dollars ($62,732) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1974, and ending June 30, 1975, and ensuing years, for the purpose of conducting apple research as set forth in the preamble of this act and according to the following schedule:

North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station

Requirements for research studies on pest management, post-harvest studies and physiological factors associated with apple production.

A. Personnel and Positions

1. To hire additional personnel to increase apple

research efforts in the Department of Entomology                                                      15,116

2. To create additional support positions and upgrade

an existing position in support of the apple

research effort in the Department of Horticultural Science                                        19,616

Sub Total                                    $ 34,732

B. Equipment

To aid in the purchase of irrigation equipment

for research station orchards, to study techniques

to minimize the adverse effects of freeze, drought

and heat on apples, in support of the apple

research effort in the Department of Horticultural Science                                          12,000

Sub Total                                    $ 12,000

C. Maintenance and Operations

1. To provide support for the pest management

position (requested in Part A above)                                                                            6,000

2. To increase support of the post-harvest apple

research effort in the Department of Horticultural Science                                             5,000

3. To increase travel support for pre-harvest

apple research in the Department of Horticultural Science                                             5,000

Sub Total                                         16,000

Grand Total                                  $ 62,732

Sec. 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1974.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 13th day of April, 1974.