Fields of study

• Design / assessment of agroecological crop production systems.

Projects are focused on the long-term analysis of major crop systems incorporating low levels of inputs, long rotations, tillage, the use of intermediate crops and integrated protection.

Main partners :
Chambers of agriculture, water & environmental agencies, seed manufacturers and agricultural suppliers.

• Insights into pathosystems and plant defence mechanisms

The projects carried out in this field of study aim to characterise the mechanisms that plants use to defend against pathogens mainly originating from fungi

Main partners :
Syngenta, Oceania, Lallemand Plant Care, Lesaffre, De Sangosse, Blue Whale, AIT (Autriche), Université de Wagenigen (Pays-Bas), Université de Vienne (Autriche)….

• Understanding of the metabolic pathways accumulating agro-molecules of interest

Projects aim to identify plant species genotypes accumulating agro-molecules of interest in proportions suited to the required application (human or animal consumption, industrial use, etc.)

Main partners :
Groupe Avril, Terres Inovia, GNIS, RAGT, Caussade semences, Maïsadour, Syngenta, Pioneer, Euralis, Epi Salvagnacois, Génibio, Nutrition et Nature, Stévia Natura…

Fields of study

• Improvement of animal production systems (cattle and poultry)

Projects are focused on enhancing the performance of microbial ecosystems through a greater understanding of their operation and by identifying such drivers as the use of alternative additives to antibiotics. More generally, research is also targeting ways to improve health and well-being.

Main partners :
Lallemand Nutrition Animale, Philéo, Adisseo, Phodé, IRSEA…

• Food & health

Contribution to human health by developing food products that are better suited to human needs. Projects aim to study the relationship between food products, digestive content (microbiota), probiotics, gastrointestinal wall and gut-brain axis using physiopathological models during different periods of life (perinatal and adult).

Main partners :
Rosell-Lallemand, Danone Research, Nutricia, Pilège, Nestec, Ipsen, Noventhetical, partenaires académiques en France, en Europe (Suède, Finlande, Hongrie…) et aux USA.

Fields of study

• Characterisation of quality-indicating agro-molecules

Innovative use of analytical tools (chromatography, AsFlFFF-MALS, IR and Raman spectroscopy, theoretical chemistry, etc.). Projects are focusing on characterising macromolecular systems (proteins, polysaccharides, nanoparticles, micelles, etc.), micronutrients (fatty acids, antioxidant molecules, polyphenols, etc.) and plant protection products.

Main partners :
Epi de Gascogne, Weishardt, Rousselot, Agronutrition, Université Paul Sabatier, Iowa State University (Etats-Unis), Colorado School of Mines (Etats-Unis)…

• Nutritional, technological and sensory quality of food products

Identification and characterisation (development of tools) of biochemical and microbiological elements of interest in raw materials, development of manufacturing processes for maintaining or improving product quality. Examples of projects: promotion of French donkey milk for human consumption, manufacture of dairy products with high nutritional value and development of a natural lactic leavening agent for an appellation cheese

Main partners :
Institut National des Anes et des Mulets, Cantaveylot, producteurs Rocamadour, LISBP, LGC, CRITT BioIndustries…

• Food engineering

Development and adaptation of measuring instruments for better characterising a dairy matrix on a biochemical, rheological and microbiological level. Examples of projects: determination of lactococci and enterococci of interest to cheese production by infrared spectroscopy and structural analysis of dairy products by laser technology.

Main partners :
Formulaction…

Fields of study

• Stakeholder and sustainable development approach

Research in France and the United States into the permanence and change of rural and agricultural standards in terms of minorities and the contribution of agricultural diversification activities, such as agritourism, dialogue between agricultural and non-agricultural populations, and so on.

Guidance and implementation of sustainable development policies in rural areas in a bid to maintain agricultural activities and landscapes through leadership, mediation and consultation.

Main partners :
Cooperatives and local authorities, Michigan State University (USA)…

• Construction, development and sustainability profile of alternative agri-food systems

Analysis of the processes for developing alternative agri-food systems by implementing and testing a tool for measuring the economic, social and environmental sustainability profile of those systems; characterisation of sector governance in those systems; application to the study of the institutional organisation of local produce procurement hubs

Main partners :
Université de Maringá (Brésil), Plateforme Terroirs Ariège Pyrénées…

• Analysis of the processes for innovating in the sectors

Examination of the collective initiatives in the beef sector and the processes for innovating in terms of marketing products and services (short food supply chains) Examples of applications: Aveyron and Ségala veal.

Main partners :
UNICOR, Institut Régional du Veau d’Aveyron et du Ségala (IRVA), Chambres d’Agriculture, Abattoirs, Université de Maringá (Brésil)…

• Analysis of decisions during risk situations associated with the adoption of innovations

Examination of the risk management strategies adopted by farmers, especially their production or contractual choices. Examples of projects: effects of contractual arrangements for managing price risks in adopting innovative practices; perception, assessment and adaptation to the risks and identification of the decisive factors for adopting innovation.

Main partners :
Coopératives

Fields of study

• Biodiversity and entomology

Projects aim to develop and assess biodiversity indicators and the conservation status of forest ecosystems and their applications to standard habitat management practices (operation, conservation or restoration). These indicators are based on the structure (dead wood, other micro-habitats), and the entomological and plant communities.

Main partners :
National parks, governmental services and the Scientific Team of the Bavarian Forest National Park (Germany), SION (N. Zélande)…

• Remote sensing

Projects aim to characterise vegetation and analyse its dynamics based on satellite observations (optical field measurements, high and low-resolution spatial imaging, time series, etc.) and geographic information systems.

Main areas of application :

• Assessment of environmental risks and development of indicators to determine i) the sensitivity of plants in natural environments to the risk of fire and fire regimes, ii) the vulnerability of forests to dieback due to climatic conditions, and iii) pollution pressure associated with farming practices.
• Land occupancy map (natural and agricultural vegetation) and change analysis.
• Monitoring and forecasting of agricultural production, including an assessment and forecasting of fodder production losses caused by drought.
• Map of the expression of terroirs on wine-producing areas.

Main partners :

CESBIO (Centre d’Etudes Spatiales de Biosphère), « Airbus Defence and Space », Spot Image, FORESPIR (Groupement Européen France-Espagne pour les Pyrénées), CNPF, Pacifica (Crédit Agricole Assurance), Kansas State University (USA)…