Genetic Improvement and Adaptation of Mediterranean and Tropical Plants

Thirteen teams are working on both tropical and Mediterranean species (rice, wheat, sorghum, sugarcane, banana, coconut, oil palm, yam, coffee, rubber, cocoa, cotton, apple, grapevine, olive, forest species, eucalyptus, etc) that cover a very broad range of biological characteristics and types of use by farmers.

For some species, the unit is committed to a varietal innovation process encompassing all the related issues, be they agronomic, biological, methodological or relating to partnerships. Its research centres on the adaptation characters considered to be a priority. Crop behavioural responses to environmental constraints (water deficits, high termperatures, etc) are studied on an architectural, physiological and molecular level. Advanced studies of the range of genetic resources combine the biological sciences and social sciences, broadening the disciplines called upon so as to gain a clearer understanding of how crops are domesticated and to ensure the success of the next stage, genetic improvement.