The Pea4Ever Amorçage project: the spark for genetic progress in peas

The project

The Pea4Ever Amorçage project is the initial phase of an ambitious and collaborative research programme, the Pea4Ever programme. Its main objective is to lay the foundations needed to accelerate genetic progress in protein peas in France.

Objectives of the Pea4Ever Amorçage project

This project aims to immediately launch all key work that will serve as a basis for the subsequent phases of the Pea4Ever programme, enabling rapid impact.

The main deliverables of this initial phase are essential prerequisites for what follows:

Protocols

New or improved, they are essential for selection against pests. Aphanomyces, ascochytosis, aphids, viruses, bacteriosis, frost and drought are targeted in the Pea4Ever Amorçage project.

Populations and panels

We gather and create unprecedented plant material: breeding populations combining the best genetics from our 3 members and worldwide genetic resources, ...

Databases

Pooling and implementing predictive techniques (genomic, phenomic, envirotyping) requires the structuring of these shared databases.

Communication vectors and content

To mobilise stakeholders.

Work Package (WP) objectives and actions

Accelerate short-term genetic gain of +1 tonne/hectare

Launch of two inter-company crossing cycles, data acquisition for genomic and phenomic prediction, and yield development.

Prepare medium-term genetic gain through exploitation of diversity.

Obtaining and multiplying diversity seed collections, selecting lines for backcrossing and initiating these crosses.

Increase stability through multi-stress resistance to pests and diseases.

Creation of multi-resistant lines with available tools, establishment of a field evaluation network for aerial diseases, and development of selection protocols for bacteriosis, Aphanomyces, viruses/aphids, ascochytosis and bruchids.