In a context of agro-ecological transition of the agricultural and agri-food sectors, Gaïago and UniLaSalle are combining their expertise for the benefit of understanding the mechanisms of interaction between microorganisms, soils and plants.
The Biomechanisms for Soil Life and Plant Nutriprotection Chair brings together two complementary worlds: the academic world and the business world.
Gaïago's innovative Agtech solutions and UniLaSalle's research are based on a holistic approach to agrosystems in the diversity of production methods and crops.
Our approach
Microbiology as a lever for efficient and sustainable agriculture
UniLaSalle and Gaïago share the conviction that a better knowledge of microbiology is a major lever for the implementation of the agroecological transition: a healthy, efficient and sustainable agriculture.
The work of the Biomechanisms for Soil Life and Nutriprotection Chair will be part of an integrated approach to cropping systems and will focus in particular on the microbial ecology of soils and plants, at the root interface and at the phyllosphere level.
Understanding plant health through the holobiont concept
In line with the One Health approach - which links the health of soils, plants, animals and humans - UniLaSalle and Gaïago are working on a global approach to ecosystems for the benefit of all its parts.
This new paradigm is indeed essential to meet the challenges of reducing the chemical inputs used to feed plants and protect them from diseases. It requires a better understanding of the complexity of plant-microbiota interactions.
This approach integrates the interaction of multiple symbionts, the host and the environment in a new understanding of the efficient use of nutrients and the etiology of diseases in plants. The aim is to decompartmentalize Nutrition and Protection in crop management to address plant health through the global concept of Nutriprotection.
From the laboratory to the field, integrative and multi-scale research
The research questions addressed by the Biomechanisms for Soil Life and Nutriprotection Chair are based on knowledge of plant, agronomic and microbiological sciences. The experiments will integrate simplified laboratory approaches, miniaturized and controlled ecosystem models and real field conditions.
The diversity of the study contexts is an essential element in the reliability of the scientific approach and the validation of the Nutriprotection concept.
Testimonials
"We are delighted with this mobilization with renowned academic partners to accelerate the ramp-up of scientifically proven solutions for the agroecological transition."
We are pleased today to enter into a long-term partnership with Gaïago through this collaborative research and innovation program
I am delighted to see the UniLaSalle engineering school, which I chair, join forces with the GAIAGO company to make the most of its scientific expertise for the benefit of the agro-ecological transition of the agricultural sector and in particular of biocontrol solutions.
Our partners
Labelled Greentech Innovation, Gaïago is a Breton company that has been creating innovative solutions - based on the activation of microbiology - mainly in soils, but also around the seed and on the plant, with a view to revitalizing agrosystems.
These products enable the development and diversification of soil and phyllosphere microorganisms, thus generating numerous agronomic, nutritional and environmental benefits. Gaïago products are universal and are currently distributed in 8 countries in Europe.
Gaïago, a company based in Saint Malo, aims to be the independent leader in soil revitalization.
UniLaSalle is positioned as the engineering school at the crossroads of the energy, digital and ecological transitions. UniLaSalle offers training courses from Bac+3 to Bac+6 and research activities in the fields of earth sciences, life sciences, the environment, energy and digital technology, around themes at the heart of the challenges of sustainable development. UniLaSalle has 4 campuses (Amiens, Beauvais, Rennes, Rouen), 3800 students and 20,000 alumni. Its research is structured around 7 research units, 7 company chairs, research platforms and innovation centers.
The UniLaSalle Rouen campus trains engineers in the fields of agronomy and the food and non-food development of agricultural resources. The research activities carried out there contribute to a systemic reflection on agro-ecological production taking into account soil/plant/microorganism interactions on the one hand and non-food valorisation of agricultural products and co-products in the form of bio-based materials on the other.
The school is part of the La Salle global teaching network which includes 52 universities worldwide.
UniLaSalle is a member of the Conférence des Grandes Écoles and has the EESPIG label.