ECP Team: genetic and genomic of Protean Target Species

Context

Protein crops (pea - Pisum sativum L., faba bean - Vicia faba L., lupin - Lupinus sp.) and lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) are the focus of research projects led by the LEGae cluster's ECP team. These species are highly sought-after legumes for the nutritional quality of their seeds and their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiosis with soil bacteria of the Rhizobium genus. They are diversifying species in cropping systems and are key elements in the current agroecological and food transitions.

Missions

The research carried out by the ECP team focuses on characterizing the genetic diversity of seed legumes, in particular that maintained by the CRB PROTEA, which it integrates. This is cutting-edge research, supported by national and international collaborations, and at the service of varietal innovation. The main actions are aimed at:

• Characterize genetic resources and develop the biochemical, genetic, genomic and bioinformatics tools needed to understand how seed legumes function;
• Describe the diversity of the nodulated root system of legumes, and its interactions with rhizospheric micro-organisms;
• Understand the mechanisms that control resistance to insect pests (bruchids, sitones) and thus the quality of legume seeds;
• Understand and improve plant-plant interactions in agroecological cropping systems (associated crops, weeds);
• Contribute to pre-breeding by identifying genitors, developing molecular markers linked to traits of interest and applying translational genomics.

Strategy

The aim of the ECP team's research is to generate knowledge that will boost the varietal improvement of seed legumes and their integration into agroecological cropping systems. The management of scientific projects and the construction of innovative plant material are based on strong skills in quantitative genetics, genomics, biochemistry, bioinformatics and plant experimentation. The ECP team manages the CRB PROTEA, which houses collections of heritage and scientific genetic resources for pea, faba bean and lupin.

Projects in progress

The ECP team is involved in various national and European scientific projects, and is leading the international consortium to establish the pea pangenome. These include, for example, the SPECIFICS, RésiBruche and BELIS projects.

• SPECIFICS (2021-2027) Sustainable PEst Control in Fabaceae-rich Innovative Cropping Systems (PIA3, ANR, coord. J. Burstin & S. Cordeau). Partners: UMR Agroecology, UMR IGEPP, UMR LEVA, UMR AGIR, UMR IRHS, URGI, UE Epoisses, UE Bourges, UE La Motte, UMR BioEcoAgro, UMR LISIS, UMR9221 IESEG. Design of pesticide-free cropping systems rich in seed legumes using various levers: identification of new sources of resistance, design of systems with greater biological diversity in time (rotation) and space (intra- and interspecific associated crops, agroecological infrastructures, etc.), identification of solutions for enhancing and promoting these systems.
• RESIBRUCHE (2022-2024) coord. N. Tayeh). Partners: UMR Agroecology, TERRES INOVIA. Validation of bruchid resistance QTLs through the creation and evaluation of quasi-isogenic lines each carrying one or more QTLs, and acceleration of the creation of less susceptible varieties.
• BELIS (2023-2027) B, Coord. B. Julier (INRAE Lusignan); 35 European partners. The ambition of BELIS is to increase the profitability of plant breeding, measured by the genetic gain per breeding cycle, and its sustainability.

Composition de l’équipe (nom, prénom)

Permanents

Aubert Grégoire IR

Berteloot Benoit TR

Boucherot Karen TR

Bourion Virginie IR

Burstin Judith DR

Chabert-Martinello Marianne TR

Chanis Mathieu IR

Desmetz Catherine AI

Frachon Léa CR

Houtin Hervé TR

Klein Anthony IE

Kreplak Jonathan IE

Magnin-Robert Jean-Bernard AI

Naudé Florence TR

Naudet-Huart Myriam IE

Ollivier Damien TR

Régulier Jennifer AT

Rond Céline TR

Tayeh Nadim CR

Touratier Michael TR

Chaire de Professeur Junior

Bouchenak-Khelladi Yanis PR

Contractuels

do Amaral Santos Milena

Barbot Sandie

Kangoye Nadia

ATER

Sotoodeh Arash

Doctorants / Post Doc

Angot Victor

Imbert Baptiste

Maillard Guilhem

Accueil chercheur

Vus Nadiia

Apprentis

Yamine Sahra

Herlemont Baptiste