Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Graduate School of Plant Quarantine, established after being selected for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' 'Agricultural and Food Technology Convergence Creative Talent Cultivation Project,' held its first seminar on the 17th to share recent Research Outcomes related to surveillance, diagnosis, and quarantine of plant pests and diseases.

This seminar was organized to share recent research results with students of the Graduate School of Plant Quarantine—who include employees of national and public institutions and industry—to help them produce high-quality research outcomes. A separate symposium was also arranged for students to present the research conducted over the semester, and students presenting outstanding research results received research incentive awards.

At the seminar, Professor Min-gu Park (JBNU, Department of Bioenvironmental Chemistry) delivered a keynote lecture titled 'Occupational and Environmental Hazards of Plant Quarantine Disinfection.' He emphasized the importance of disinfection processes used to eliminate harmful pests and diseases during import quarantine. He also raised concerns about environmental pollution and human health risks associated with the use of methyl bromide, a highly toxic fumigant used in disinfection.

Next, Researcher Jin-won Kim (National Institute of Agricultural Sciences) gave a special lecture on 'Types of Weeds and Control Techniques,' emphasizing the importance of weed control research. Researcher Kim stated, 'Through weed control research, rigorous management of pests that arise from weeds around farmland is necessary to minimize crop damage.'

At the 'Plant Pest and Disease Surveillance and Diagnosis Symposium' involving student participation, students presented and shared the work they had conducted during the semester, thereby deepening their understanding of their major fields.

Song Seong-o, a master's student, said, 'Through this seminar I was able to gain a broader understanding of my major and prepare for the thesis writing process, which I had thought was difficult. Going forward, I will strive to conduct high-quality research and devote myself to thesis writing through the seminars held each semester.'

Professor Jae-su Kim, Major Coordinator of the Department of Plant Quarantine, said, 'We plan to hold these seminars and symposiums every semester to actively share recent research trends in the field of plant quarantine with students and to support them in conducting high-level research. We will also actively work to train specialized personnel who can surveil, diagnose, and respond to on-site crop pest and disease problems through the establishment of AI-based pest and disease management systems.'

Meanwhile, the Graduate School of Plant Quarantine was established last year after being selected for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' 'Agricultural and Food Technology Convergence Creative Talent Cultivation Project.' As a consortium of JBNU, Chonnam National University, and Kyungpook National University, it has received KRW 6.6 billion in funding over three years and is taking the lead in training personnel and conducting research in crop pest and disease management and quarantine.