Vegenov, a French applied research center specialised in plant science is interested by the call HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-04

Project Idea(s)

✔ Development and first steps of implementation of several tools and methods for faster genetic improvement in fruit trees, especially in apple, pear, Prunus species and vine.

Expertise & potential contributions

Support in breeding for faster enhancement of sustainability traits in perennial crops

✔ Tools and methods to screen for improved plant materials:

• Development of phenotyping protocols for indoor evaluation of young trees for disease resistance and tolerance to abiotic stresses

• Development of sensory analysis tests and set up of biochemical analysis protocols to evaluate the organoleptic and nutritional quality of fruit

• Development of DNA-based molecular markers for efficient gene stacking

✔ Cutting-edge tools and methods to accelerate the breeding of perennial crops

• Enabling inter- and intra-specific crosses for efficient and fast trait introgression: pollen analysis, embryo rescue and in vitro plant regeneration

• Improvement of genomic selection method

Translation of tools and methods from one (model) crop to other crops

Contribution areas

• R&D&I → TRL 3 to 6 : experimentation in labs, growth chambers and greenhouses

• Organization of annual professional training courses on breeding technologies, particularly on MAS and in vitro techniques

• Active communication through professional networks and social media : LinkedIn, Website, Newsletters, blogs, trade magazines, …