○ Signing ceremony for joint research agreement to identify insect pheromone biosynthesis mechanisms and to develop related technologies
– Hosts: Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services and USDA-ARS
– Date: June 28, 2019 (GMT-7)
– Venue: USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research (Corvallis, Oregon)

On June 28, the Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services (GARES) announced a July 1 agreement signing ceremony for a joint research project to identify insect pheromone biosynthesis mechanisms and to develop related technologies with the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-ARS).

The ARS is a national research institute operating under the USDA with over 90 laboratories in the US and overseas. With an annual budget of USD 1.2 billion, ARS is conducting approximately 690 research projects.

Pheromones are chemical communication substances secreted in very small amounts by insects to attract other individuals of the same species. Unlike chemical insecticides that act on a wide range of insect species, pheromones only affect specific species, and therefore can be used for environment-friendly pest control.

In accordance with the agreement, GARES and the USDA-ARS will jointly carry out research on pheromone candidates, extraction identification methods, and genes involved in pheromone biosynthesis, as well as the uses and pest-controlling effects of pheromones over the next three years.

GARES plans to dispatch researchers to the US during the project period to acquire advanced research capabilities and develop technologies for the utilization of insect pheromones.

“This agreement will contribute to sustainable agriculture and safe food production through the development of environment-friendly pest control technologies using pheromones. Gyeonggi Province will establish a system for research collaboration with the USDA-ARS in other agricultural fields via the seeds planted with this agreement,” said GARES Director Kim Seok-cheol.