WRI Seminar by Dr. Matthieu Bogard

Dr Matthieu Bogard, from Arvalis Institut du Végétal, Baziege, France

 Arvalis Institut du Végétal, a French technical institute for agricultural research: examples of research projects to support breeding for tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress tolerance of cereal crops. 

LOCATION: SARDI Auditorium, Plant Research Centre, Level 3

Matthieu Bogard from Arvalis Institut du Végétal will briefly present the institute and the activities of his group in different research projects in interactions with private breeding companies. Arvalis is a non-profit organization, since 1959 and is largely founded by the grain industry. Its missions include gaining technical references in agronomy and circulating this knowledge toward the farmers to improve crop production, reduce the environmental impact and eventually increase farmer’s margins. With this aim in view, Arvalis is also involved in research projects to help breeders deliver improved varieties with higher tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. This includes developing genetic markers to screen breeding material for disease resistance and developing either genomic prediction or (gene-based) ecophysiological models useful for anticipating the need to improve tolerance to abiotic stress in the context of climate change. Examples of past and current research projects will be given to illustrate Arvalis activities in this field and hopefully stimulate ideas for potential scientific collaborations.