The University of California Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology will begin its nine-part spring seminar series on April 1, with research scientist Adekunle Adesanya from Corteva Agriscience as the first speaker, according to a March 25 announcement. The seminars are scheduled for Wednesdays at 12:10 p.m. in Briggs Hall and will also be available via Zoom.
The event highlights ongoing efforts to address challenges in agriculture, particularly those related to pest management and food production. These topics are significant as global demand for affordable food increases while arable land decreases.
Adesanya will present a talk titled “Between Consumerism (Economics) and Evolutionary Adaptations in Agroecosystems; Lessons from Generalist Herbivore Pests.” He said, “As the global human population continues to grow, so does the demand for high-quality, affordable food, fiber, and fruit. At the same time, the amount of arable land available for crop production is steadily declining. These pressures have intensified modern agroecosystems, making the use of natural and synthetic crop-protection agents an essential component of agricultural production. A common consequence of this sustained selection pressure on pest populations is the evolution of pesticide resistance.” He continued: “Although extensive theoretical and empirical work has examined how intrinsic pest biology and pesticide modes of action influence resistance, far less attention has been given to the complex interactions among operational practices, market forces, pest traits,and landscape structure. This talk highlights how economic and ecological factors can drive short-term adaptive responses, drawing on empirical studies of two generalist herbivore pests across diverse cropping systems in the western United States.”
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources supports such educational initiatives by securing funding through public contributions according to its official website. The organization promotes sustainable practices that strengthen resilient ecosystems and economic vitality according to its official website, utilizing nine research centers as laboratories representing California’s diverse environments according to its official website.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources extends university research throughout all 58 counties via educational programs that promote sustainability in agriculture and natural resources according to its official website. It manages Cooperative Extension services within the University of California system according to its official website, conducting over 33,800 educational events annually with more than 18,400 volunteers involved according to its official website. The organization has gained recognition for linking research directly with community needs through trusted services according to its official website.
The seminar series is coordinated by assistant professor Marshall McMunn. More information about upcoming speakers or technical issues can be obtained by contacting McMunn.
