Can varietal selection reconcile environmental issues and consumer demands?

Information

Variety selection is one of the available tools to build a sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture. Today, fruit production is faced with several problems, which climatic hazards can amplify: new pests, increased pressure caused by diseases, greater abiotic stresses?

These issues also face the demands of consumers, who are more demanding on the quality and sustainability of products. However, variety breeding in arboriculture is a long and complex process. Consequently, several questions arise today regarding this breeding process. How does variety breeding take environmental and societal issues into account ? What are the consumers' current expectations regarding production? How can we anticipate production conditions and future consumer expectations? Finally, can variety breeding reconcile environmental issues and consumer demands?

This symposium will focus on the following topics

During this symposium, the various presentations will illustrate different points of view (French and foreign research, French companies), types of production and fruit species with regard to this theme. Following these presentations, a panel discussion will give you the opportunity to speak and exchange with people from different backgrounds: in particular researchers, experimenters, breeders producers and consumer association representatives.

1. Intro

François LAURENS (GISFruit) et Alexandre PLOTEAU (VEGEPOLYS VALLEY)

2. Presentation of 3 opinions about this topic

· Presentation by Jose Quero Garcia, INRAE Bordeaux

French research approach of a work on cherry trees, one of whose preferred breeding targets is adaptation to climate change.

· Presentation by Alexandre Bouche, ACFruits

French Private company approach with innovative breeding and variety creation to face these challenges, on apricot and peach

· Presentation by Joan Bonany, IRTA

Foreign research approach and the apple research programme in collaboration with NZ

3. panel discussion with various and complementary speakers in terms of visions and approaches