INVITE Research Project

INnovations in plant VarIety Testing in Europe to foster the introduction of new varieties better adapted to varying biotic and abiotic conditions and to more sustainable crop management practices

Group :  Information, Signal, Image and Life Sciences

Labelling: none

Duration: 5 years (2019 - 2024)

Funding:

Staff involved from LARIS: David Rousseau

Project partners: 29 partners from 13 countries, whose activities range from research (research institutes and universities), to breeding (8 breeders represented in the consortium) to experimentation (12 examination offices including GEVES and 10 experimentation centres).

Objectives

The objective of the INVITE project is to improve the efficiency of varietal evaluation (DHS¹, ATEV²) and the information available to users (breeders, farmers) on the performance of varieties under various production conditions. It also aims to assist in the development and promotion of varieties for sustainable agricultural practices adapted to climate change.

The project is based on the study of seven species: wheat, maize, sunflower, ray-grass, apple, tomato and potato. In some aspects, it is extended to alfalfa, soybean and oilseed rape. This wide choice will allow to cover a large diversity of species representing different production systems (cereals, fodder, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables), different reproduction modes (self-pollinated, F1 hybrids, cross-pollinated, vegetative reproduction) and different uses (human and animal food).

To achieve its objectives, INVITE will identify bioindicators associated with the sustainability and resilience of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses. It will develop phenotyping and genotyping tools to measure these indicators. The project will also develop models and statistical tools to predict the performance of varieties in various environments and production modes, taking into account a good economic return for the farmer.  

¹ : DHS: Distinctness, Homogeneity, Stability

² : ATEV : Agronomic, Technological and Environmental Value