Know more

Abstract

France is the largest European producer of malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and the leading exporter of malt worldwide, accounting for 20% of world trade. French barley production has relied heavily on the use of synthetic inputs and has led, as other arable crops, to considerable environmental damage. The aim of this study is to design and evaluate crop and management ideotype adapted to a lower use of synthetic fertilizer.

From a multi-environment trial, we conclude that the grain protein content and the calibrated yield (weight of grains >2.5 mm) have to be specifically improved in low-input management systems. We experimentally identified genotypic characteristics adapted to a low grain protein content loss and calibrated yield loss under N stress. With a crop model we adapted to malting barley, we also identified optimal N fertilization strategies allowing to reach high quantitative and qualitative performances whilst minimizing N losses toward the environment. Based on a precise characterization of environments the French barley belt, the best N fertilization strategies were identified for different regions. Finally, we identified new combinations of genotypic characteristics optimizing quantitative and qualitative performances in low management system. We showed that, in silico, a simultaneous adaptation of genotypic characteristics and optimization of N fertilization management allowed to reach similar performances as current genotypes in high-input management systems.

We discuss methods to breed genotypes with high performances in low-input systems and the method used for innovative design of new management and barley malting cultivars adapted to low-input systems.

Defended on 29 september 2017.

Under the direction of

Marie-Hélène Jeuffroy, Arnaud Gauffreteau (INRA, UMR Agronomie)

Jury 

• Alexandra JULLIEN, AgroParisTech, Paris
• Maryse BRANCOURT, INRA, Estrées-Mons
• Paolo BARBERI,SSSA, Pise, Italie
• Pierre CASADEBAIG, INRA, Toulouse
• Pierre ROUMET, INRA, Montpellier
• Philippe LONNET, Florimond-Desprez, Cappelle
• Marie-Hélène JEUFFROY, INRA, Grignon