Our research

The general objectives of the unit are to produce the scientific knowledge needed to guide and define the development of effective, safe and sustainable tools and strategies for managing the health of horticultural crops in the face of the risk of recurrent or emerging epidemics. They are part of the agro-ecological transition of agricultural production systems and aim to reduce the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and move towards the "zero pesticide" challenge. These objectives and challenges are organized into three thematic areas that cut across the unit:

Area 1: Etiology and diagnosis of plant diseases
Etiology and diagnosis are the first essential steps in disease control. Our scientific and technical expertise in this field has been developed on various pathogens of vegetable, fruit and ornamental crops.

Area 2: Epidemiology, ecology, evolution
This area aims to understand the interactions at different scales between environmental heterogeneity and the demographic processes, dispersal and risks of adaptation of pests and pathogens.

Area 3: Effectiveness and sustainability of pest and plant management strategies
This area aims to develop optimal strategies for managing recurrent or emerging diseases in horticultural crops, using new varietal resistance or tolerance mechanisms, new biocontrol agents and new strategies combining different levers.