Exploring and harnessing Diversity to Develop Productive, Resistant, and Resilient Orchards

Our primary focus is on resistance to pests and diseases, but we also consider other agronomic traits such as tolerance to salinity and drought, as well as resilience to fluctuating climatic conditions.

While the majority of genetic resistances displayed in modern varieties rely on complete resistance phenotypes, these are often quickly overcome by pests and pathogens. Therefore, we are also interested studying partial resistances, which are considered more durable. To identify new sources of resistance, we utilize various types of plant material (including patrimonial apple and cider varieties, as well as wild relatives). To achieve this, we collaborate closely with the CRB RosePom, which characterizes and preserves this genetic heritage.

Through experimental and predictive approaches, we identify the best progenitors carrying favorable alleles for the traits of interest. Linkage and association genetics, combined with genomics, allow us to pinpoint loci, genes, and causal variants more precisely. In collaboration with the VaDiPom team, which leads the pre-breeding program, we develop and validate genetic markers for use in Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) and fast-breeding.

Contact: Julie Ferreira de Carvalho, Hélène Muranty