INRA - French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, France

INRAE is a French public research institution that focuses on issues related to agriculture, food and environment, with a particular emphasis on sustainable development and agroecology. INRAE ranks second in the world and first in Europe for publications in agriculture and forestry. INRAE aims to: (i) serve the public interest by maintaining a balance between excellence of research and addressing the societal needs; (ii) produce and disseminate scientific knowledge and innovation, particularly in the fields of agriculture, food and environment; (iii) contribute to the expertise, training, promotion of scientific and technical culture and science/society debate.

Role in the project

Philippe Hinsinger (Eco&Sols) is the project coordinator and leader of WP7 and his group will have a major contribution to work packages 2, 3 and 6. INRAE will have a key role in proposing innovative breeding strategies accounting for both above- and below-ground traits based on its skills in rhizosphere ecology, soil biogeochemistry, crop genetics and physiology in durum and bread wheat, for tackling the issue of improving the efficiency of resource (water, N and P) use, and co-creation of novel management practices such as the design of genotype mixtures in interaction with stakeholders. INRAE will participate in work packages 1 (as co-leader), 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, conducting a large number of field and phenotyping (glasshouse / semi-field / field) trials, and will also be largely involved in the modelling and numerical simulation activities as well as in the outreach and management activities.

Key persons involved

• Dr. Philippe Hinsinger (UMR Eco&Sols Montpellier), Project coordinator, leader work package 7
• Dr. Hélène Fréville (UMR AGAP Montpellier)
• Dr. Jacques Le Gouis (UMR GDEC Clermont-Ferrand)
• Dr. Pierre Martre (UMR LEPSE Montpellier), Co-leader work package 1
• Dr. Christophe Salon (UMR Agroécologie Dijon)