Legume Ecophysiology
and Genetics Research Unit, INRA-Centre at Dijon
General Presentation
Research Themes
Research Teams

International Activities
Teaching Activities
Genetic Resources
Publications
   
 
Directeur : Christophe Salon
  PRESENTATION
 

The Legume Genetics and Ecophysiology Research Unit (UR – LEG) an INRA (National Institute for Agricultural Research) unit belonging to the department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, is located at Dijon. The mission of the unit is to apply plant research findings for the benefit of agriculture, and in particular for the development of new legume varieties. The research area covered ranges from gene analysis at the DNA level to phenotypes at the level of field populations. The unit furnishes innovative genetic material for commercial plant breeders, and also maintains collections of genetic resources of pea, faba bean and the model legume, Medicago truncatula.
The principal objectives of the unit are to improve legume grain quality and to reduce crop fertiliser requirement. To achieve these aims, a broad range of expertise and technical facilities is available, which enables projects to be pursued from molecular genetics through field trials to variety development.

Pdf : " Researchs program for 2007-2010" (in french)

 

The environmental benefits of legumes

 - Due to their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen : reduced N-fertilizer input (1 Hectare of peas fixes 200 kg nitrogen)
and concequently reduced fossil fuel consumption (saving of 1,2 tonnes fuel or 10 tonnes CO2 emission per 5 Hectares of peas).
- Increased crop diversity (fewer diseases, lower farm input, maintenance of biodiversity).
- Protein seed produces close to sites of consumption.

 

Pea breeding nursery
  RESOURCES
 
The personnel

the unit is composed of 24 researchers and engineers, supported by 26 technicians working in laboratory, greenhouse or field contexts. In addition to the permanent staff, the unit hosts scientists seconded from the private sector, post-docs, visiting scientists and Ph.D, masters degree and undergraduate students at various levels of qualification.
Unit Organigram pdf
alphabétic list of the Personnel
  The unit possesses the following service facilities :

- an analytical chemistry lab. with high sample throughput,
- a molecular biology lab,
- an in vitro culture suite,
- growth chamber park.
 

The unit also has access to equipment administered collectively at the level of the Centre de Dijon :

Transmission electron microscopy
image analysis
server network

Plant production in the greenhouse or field is provided by an experimental unit (UE –SEDE), Greenhouse capacity: 5.300 m² of glasshouse space and 2.000 m² of plastic shelter space.
Experimental farm: 140 Ha, permitting ca. 35 Ha of experimental plots at any one time.

 

Greenhouse production of the EMS TILLING population of Medicago truncatula
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