CULTIVATING INNOVATION A Legacy of Agricultural Research By Jeana Cadby, Environment and Climate Director
A tiny caterpillar, sometimes barely visible to the naked eye, is one of the most formidable pests threatening the California brassica industry. The diamondback moth (DBM) is eating its way through California’s heartland. Defeating this elusive adversary will require cunning, innovation and smarter science, primarily in the form of agricultural research. One such researcher dedicated to helping farmers overcome DBM is the late Dr. John Palumbo, who served the University of Arizona and agricultural community as an entomology professor and extension specialist for 35 years. Internationally recognized as one of the foremost experts in integrated pest management (IPM) for vegetable crops, his work made a profound impact on the fresh produce industry and the critical research needed to defeat DBM. John’s recent passing reminds us how fortunate we are in this industry to have such dedicated, bright and passionate researchers in fresh produce. For those researchers who find themselves tenured in this fragmented and diverse sector, they devote their lives to a specialized industry often overlooked in mainstream agricultural research agendas. Yet, at this time, we need researchers and support for agricultural research more than ever.
Dr. John Palumbo
Image courtesy of The University of Arizona.
10 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com July | August 2025
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