Du fait de leur forte concentration dans certaines zones en France, les productions avicoles et porcines sont associées à de nombreux problèmes environnementaux dus à l’épandage de leurs rejets. Outre la quantité brute de rejets, leur composition, notamment en azote, phosphore et oligoéléments, est une source de pollution des eaux et des sols. Jusqu’ici, les solutions envisagées pour réduire ces rejets portaient soit sur le traitement a posteriori des rejets, soit sur la réduction des rejets en amont, essentiellement en modifiant les régimes alimentaires des animaux. La sélection d’animaux produisant moins de rejets n’était en revanche envisagée que comme un sous-produit de l’amélioration de l’efficacité alimentaire de l’animal. Le but de cette synthèse est donc de faire un tour d’horizon des différentes voies d’amélioration génétique permettant de réduire quantitativement les rejets ou d’améliorer leur composition pour produire un fertilisant organique écologique. La sélection indirecte de caractères liés à l’efficacité de la digestion ou au métabolisme de l’animal est abordée dans un premier temps. Dans un deuxième temps, nous présentons les premiers résultats montrant qu’il est possible de sélectionner directement sur la composition des rejets. | Since they are highly concentrated in some areas in France, poultry and pig production are associated to numerous environmental problems, as a consequence of their manure spreading. Beyond the raw quantity of manure, manure composition, especially in nitrogen, phosphorus, and oligo-elements, is a major source of water and soil pollution. Until now, solutions used to reduce manure quantities were either a posteriori treatments of excreta or reducing waste via modifications of the animals' diets. Selecting for animals naturally producing fewer excreta was on the contrary not considered, except as a sub-product of selection for an improved efficiency of animals. The aim of this review was thus to give some new insight into alternative ways to reduce manure quantities or to improve their quality by genetic selection. In a first step, indirect selection of traits linked to digestion efficiency or metabolism is planned. In a second step, we present results showing that it is possible to directly select on manure characteristics.

Du fait de leur forte concentration dans certaines zones en France, les productions avicoles et porcines sont associées à de nombreux problèmes environnementaux dus à l’épandage de leurs rejets. Outre la quantité brute de rejets, leur composition, notamment en azote, phosphore et oligoéléments, est une source de pollution des eaux et des sols. Jusqu’ici, les solutions envisagées pour réduire ces rejets portaient soit sur le traitement a posteriori des rejets, soit sur la réduction des rejets en amont, essentiellement en modifiant les régimes alimentaires des animaux. La sélection d’animaux produisant moins de rejets n’était en revanche envisagée que comme un sous-produit de l’amélioration de l’efficacité alimentaire de l’animal. Le but de cette synthèse est donc de faire un tour d’horizon des différentes voies d’amélioration génétique permettant de réduire quantitativement les rejets ou d’améliorer leur composition pour produire un fertilisant organique écologique. La sélection indirecte de caractères liés à l’efficacité de la digestion ou au métabolisme de l’animal est abordée dans un premier temps. Dans un deuxième temps, nous présentons les premiers résultats montrant qu’il est possible de sélectionner directement sur la composition des rejets. | Since they are highly concentrated in some areas in France, poultry and pig production are associated to numerous environmental problems, as a consequence of their manure spreading. Beyond the raw quantity of manure, manure composition, especially in nitrogen, phosphorus, and oligo-elements, is a major source of water and soil pollution. Until now, solutions used to reduce manure quantities were either a posteriori treatments of excreta or reducing waste via modifications of the animals' diets. Selecting for animals naturally producing fewer excreta was on the contrary not considered, except as a sub-product of selection for an improved efficiency of animals. The aim of this review was thus to give some new insight into alternative ways to reduce manure quantities or to improve their quality by genetic selection. In a first step, indirect selection of traits linked to digestion efficiency or metabolism is planned. In a second step, we present results showing that it is possible to directly select on manure characteristics.

L’épigénétique analyse les changements héritables de l’activité génique sans modification du patrimoine génétique nucléaire. Elle s’intéresse aux processus moléculaires qui modifient l’architecture de la chromatine, sélectionnant l’information génétique et contribuant à l’établissement des patrons d’expressions génique. Nous montrons à l’appui de données publiées que l’apposition des marques épigénétiques est séquentielle, réversible et/ou héritable. Ces marques peuvent être analysées et quantifiées finement à haut débit pour caractériser « l’épigénome ». L’analyse fonctionnelle des régulations épigénétiques conduit à mettre en avant les notions de flexibilité et de robustesse. La flexibilité est patente lors de l’établissement d’une identité cellulaire (« pourquoi toutes les cellules d’un même individu ne traitent elles pas l’information génétique de la même manière ? ») et pour l’adaptation de l’individu à son environnement, le destin des abeilles devenant reines ou ouvrières en est un bon exemple. Mais le maintien de l’épigénome en l’état est tout aussi essentiel au bon développement des organismes impliquant a contrario, une robustesse des marques épigénétiques, cas des gènes soumis à empreinte parentale. La flexibilité des marques épigénétiques permet une adaptation transitoire à des modifications environnementales ; la robustesse révèle des possibilités d’adaptation à plus long terme, synonymes de stabilité des marques, dans certaines situations sur plusieurs générations. Cet article vise ainsi à montrer l’importance des processus épigénétiques dans le fonctionnement des génomes et avance l’idée qu’il serait judicieux d’intégrer les données moléculaires sur les états de l’épigénome dans les schémas de sélection dans une optique de maintien d’un développement durable de l’élevage. | Epigenetics refers to the inheritable changes of genomic activities that do not alter DNA sequences. It deals with the molecular mechanisms orchestrating chromatin remodelling, which leads to gene transcription or silencing. Here, we provide evidence from the published scientific literature that the epigenetic marks are apposed onto the genome in a sequential, reversible and/or inheritable manner. These marks can be finely measured to characterise the epigenome. The functional analysis of the epigenetic processes provides support to the two associated concepts of genome flexibility and robustness. Genome flexibility is involved in the acquisition of cell identity during differentiation (Why do not the various cellular types of an organism use the same genetic information in a similar manner?), and in the adaptation to environmental cues as illustrated by the mechanism underlying the fate of honeybees that become fertile queens or sterile workers. But the epigenome is also crucial for the development of individuals that requires the robustness of epigenetic marks as exemplified from parental imprinting studies. The flexibility of epigenetic marks is associated with transitory adaptation to environmental changes while robustness reveals long term processes associated with more stable marks that in some instances can pass over several generations. This review points to the importance of epigenetic processes for genome functions and proposes that the integration of the molecular data describing the epigenomic states could be considered as new variables in selection to preserve the sustainability of animal breeding.

L’épigénétique analyse les changements héritables de l’activité génique sans modification du patrimoine génétique nucléaire. Elle s’intéresse aux processus moléculaires qui modifient l’architecture de la chromatine, sélectionnant l’information génétique et contribuant à l’établissement des patrons d’expressions génique. Nous montrons à l’appui de données publiées que l’apposition des marques épigénétiques est séquentielle, réversible et/ou héritable. Ces marques peuvent être analysées et quantifiées finement à haut débit pour caractériser « l’épigénome ». L’analyse fonctionnelle des régulations épigénétiques conduit à mettre en avant les notions de flexibilité et de robustesse. La flexibilité est patente lors de l’établissement d’une identité cellulaire (« pourquoi toutes les cellules d’un même individu ne traitent elles pas l’information génétique de la même manière ? ») et pour l’adaptation de l’individu à son environnement, le destin des abeilles devenant reines ou ouvrières en est un bon exemple. Mais le maintien de l’épigénome en l’état est tout aussi essentiel au bon développement des organismes impliquant a contrario, une robustesse des marques épigénétiques, cas des gènes soumis à empreinte parentale. La flexibilité des marques épigénétiques permet une adaptation transitoire à des modifications environnementales ; la robustesse révèle des possibilités d’adaptation à plus long terme, synonymes de stabilité des marques, dans certaines situations sur plusieurs générations. Cet article vise ainsi à montrer l’importance des processus épigénétiques dans le fonctionnement des génomes et avance l’idée qu’il serait judicieux d’intégrer les données moléculaires sur les états de l’épigénome dans les schémas de sélection dans une optique de maintien d’un développement durable de l’élevage. | Epigenetics refers to the inheritable changes of genomic activities that do not alter DNA sequences. It deals with the molecular mechanisms orchestrating chromatin remodelling, which leads to gene transcription or silencing. Here, we provide evidence from the published scientific literature that the epigenetic marks are apposed onto the genome in a sequential, reversible and/or inheritable manner. These marks can be finely measured to characterise the epigenome. The functional analysis of the epigenetic processes provides support to the two associated concepts of genome flexibility and robustness. Genome flexibility is involved in the acquisition of cell identity during differentiation (Why do not the various cellular types of an organism use the same genetic information in a similar manner?), and in the adaptation to environmental cues as illustrated by the mechanism underlying the fate of honeybees that become fertile queens or sterile workers. But the epigenome is also crucial for the development of individuals that requires the robustness of epigenetic marks as exemplified from parental imprinting studies. The flexibility of epigenetic marks is associated with transitory adaptation to environmental changes while robustness reveals long term processes associated with more stable marks that in some instances can pass over several generations. This review points to the importance of epigenetic processes for genome functions and proposes that the integration of the molecular data describing the epigenomic states could be considered as new variables in selection to preserve the sustainability of animal breeding.

L’épigénétique analyse les changements héritables de l’activité génique sans modification du patrimoine génétique nucléaire. Elle s’intéresse aux processus moléculaires qui modifient l’architecture de la chromatine, sélectionnant l’information génétique et contribuant à l’établissement des patrons d’expressions génique. Nous montrons à l’appui de données publiées que l’apposition des marques épigénétiques est séquentielle, réversible et/ou héritable. Ces marques peuvent être analysées et quantifiées finement à haut débit pour caractériser «l’épigénome;». L’analyse fonctionnelle des régulations épigénétiques conduit à mettre en avant les notions de flexibilité et de robustesse. La flexibilité est patente lors de l’établissement d’une identité cellulaire (pourquoi toutes les cellules d’un même individu ne traitent elles pas l’information génétique de la même manière) et pour l’adaptation de l’individu à son environnement, le destin des abeilles devenant reines ou ouvrières en est un bon exemple. Mais le maintien de l’épigénome en l’état est tout aussi essentiel au bon développement des organismes impliquant a contrario, une robustesse des marques épigénétiques, cas des gènes soumis à empreinte parentale. La flexibilité des marques épigénétiques permet une adaptation transitoire à des modifications environnementales ; la robustesse révèle des possibilités d’adaptation à plus long terme, synonymes de stabilité des marques, dans certaines situations sur plusieurs générations. Cet article vise ainsi à montrer l’importance des processus épigénétiques dans le fonctionnement des génomes et avance l’idée qu’il serait judicieux d’intégrer les données moléculaires sur les états de l’épigénome dans les schémas de sélection dans une optique de maintien d’un développement durable de l’élevage.

Fifteen quantitative trait loci (QTL) for cell wall digestibility and lignin content were shown in the recombinant inbred line (RIL) progeny descended from the cross between F288 and F271, two early dent lines of contrasted cell wall digestibility. Among these QTL, those located in bin 6.06, respectively explained 20 and 40% of the phenotypic variation for lignin content and cell wall digestibility. Expression of genes related to cell wall and lignin biosynthesis was investigated with the "MaizeWall" macro-array in two RIL having favorable alleles for low lignin content and high cell wall digestibility, except in bin 6.06 where RIL39 and RIL99 had unfavorable and favorable alleles, respectively. In the lignin pathway, three PAL, 4CL1, ZmCCR1, COMT, and ZmCAD2 genes were under-expressed in RIL99 in comparison to RIL39. In addition, two cytochrome P450, ZmCHS, and ZmCHI1 genes were simultaneously under-expressed while F5H2 and two OMT ZRP4-like genes were over-expressed. However, none of these genes were mapped in bin 6.06. Based on maize-rice synteny and on Maize Genome Sequencing Project data, several putative candidate genes related to lignin content and lignified tissue patterning were found in the support interval of bin 6.06 QTL. These genes included one C3'H which is likely the missing constitutive gene of the maize lignin pathway. Three ZRP4-like OMT were also shown in the support interval of the QTL. However, their involvement in the lignin pathway has not yet been firmly established. Several regulation or transcription factors were also shown in the QTL support interval. Among them, MYB, zinc finger, bZIP, and COV1 genes belong to families with members involved in lignification regulation or in lignified tissue patterning. In addition, auxin response factors have been shown to be indirectly involved in plant lignification. Moreover, several genes encoding proteins of unknown function and genes annotated "retrotransposon-like" were also located in the QTL support interval. Current results are not conclusive on the candidate gene discovery, but strengthen the hypothesis that regulation genes are better candidates than genes involved in the monolignol pathway. Fine mapping, association genetics, and/or functional validation have to be considered for more definite conclusions.

Fifteen quantitative trait loci (QTL) for cell wall digestibility and lignin content were shown in the recombinant inbred line (RIL) progeny descended from the cross between F288 and F271, two early dent lines of contrasted cell wall digestibility. Among these QTL, those located in bin 6.06, respectively explained 20 and 40% of the phenotypic variation for lignin content and cell wall digestibility. Expression of genes related to cell wall and lignin biosynthesis was investigated with the “MaizeWall” macro-array in two RIL having favorable alleles for low lignin content and high cell wall digestibility, except in bin 6.06 where RIL39 and RIL99 had unfavorable and favorable alleles, respectively. In the lignin pathway, three PAL, 4CL1, ZmCCR1, COMT, and ZmCAD2 genes were under-expressed in RIL99 in comparison to RIL39. In addition, two cytochrome P450, ZmCHS, and ZmCHI1 genes were simultaneously under-expressed while F5H2 and two OMT ZRP4-like genes were over-expressed. However, none of these genes were mapped in bin 6.06. Based on maize-rice synteny and on Maize Genome Sequencing Project data, several putative candidate genes related to lignin content and lignified tissue patterning were found in the support interval of bin 6.06 QTL. These genes included one C3′H which is likely the missing constitutive gene of the maize lignin pathway. Three ZRP4-like OMT were also shown in the support interval of the QTL. However, their involvement in the lignin pathway has not yet been firmly established. Several regulation or transcription factors were also shown in the QTL support interval. Among them, MYB, zinc finger, bZIP, and COV1 genes belong to families with members involved in lignification regulation or in lignified tissue patterning. In addition, auxin response factors have been shown to be indirectly involved in plant lignification. Moreover, several genes encoding proteins of unknown function and genes annotated “retrotransposon-like” were also located in the QTL support interval. Current results are not conclusive on the candidate gene discovery, but strengthen the hypothesis that regulation genes are better candidates than genes involved in the monolignol pathway. Fine mapping, association genetics, and/or functional validation have to be considered for more definite conclusions.

Fifteen quantitative trait loci (QTL) for cell wall digestibility and lignin content were shown in the recombinant inbred line (RIL) progeny descended from the cross between F288 and F271, two early dent lines of contrasted cell wall digestibility. Among these QTL, those located in bin 6.06, respectively explained 20 and 40% of the phenotypic variation for lignin content and cell wall digestibility. Expression of genes related to cell wall and lignin biosynthesis was investigated with the "MaizeWall" macro-array in two RIL having favorable alleles for low lignin content and high cell wall digestibility, except in bin 6.06 where RIL39 and RIL99 had unfavorable and favorable alleles, respectively. In the lignin pathway, three PAL, 4CL1, ZmCCR1, COMT, and ZmCAD2 genes were under-expressed in RIL99 in comparison to RIL39. In addition, two cytochrome P450, ZmCHS, and ZmCHI1 genes were simultaneously under-expressed while F5H2 and two OMT ZRP4-like genes were over-expressed. However, none of these genes were mapped in bin 6.06. Based on maize-rice synteny and on Maize Genome Sequencing Project data, several putative candidate genes related to lignin content and lignified tissue patterning were found in the support interval of bin 6.06 QTL. These genes included one C3'H which is likely the missing constitutive gene of the maize lignin pathway. Three ZRP4-like OMT were also shown in the support interval of the QTL. However, their involvement in the lignin pathway has not yet been firmly established. Several regulation or transcription factors were also shown in the QTL support interval. Among them, MYB, zinc finger, bZIP, and COV1 genes belong to families with members involved in lignification regulation or in lignified tissue patterning. In addition, auxin response factors have been shown to be indirectly involved in plant lignification. Moreover, several genes encoding proteins of unknown function and genes annotated "retrotransposon-like" were also located in the QTL support interval. Current results are not conclusive on the candidate gene discovery, but strengthen the hypothesis that regulation genes are better candidates than genes involved in the monolignol pathway. Fine mapping, association genetics, and/or functional validation have to be considered for more definite conclusions.

Suckler cow farmers are challenged both by the evolution of their socio-economic environment and by weather and market risks. This study was aimed at testing if farms characterised a priori by a higher flexibility are less sensitive to weather and beef price risks without experiencing lower average income. Technical and economic variables were extracted from a panel dataset of 55 farms from the French Charolais area over the period 1987-2007. Three production profiles were defined according to stocking rate and male fattening rate criteria. Longer production cycles are supposed to provide a higher diversity of animal in a short run and lower stocking rate. To face weather variability, adjustments concerned mainly animal supplementation and haymaking and were used above all by the farmers with the highest stocking rate. These farmers then experienced higher income variability in response to weather conditions. The farmers fattening the most were less sensitive to price variations. Average income was not significantly different according to profiles. Regarding farm evolution, we observed an increase of farm size, an intensification of animal production and a decrease of male fattening. The farms with the lowest stocking rate tended to decrease even more their forage management. | Les éleveurs de bovins sont confrontés à une évolution continue du contexte socio-économique et à des conditions climatiques et économiques aléatoires. Nous cherchons à déterminer à travers une analyse statistique si des exploitations disposant de plus grandes sources de flexibilité sont moins sensibles à ces aléas et si leurs revenus moyens s’en ressentent. A partir des données technico-économiques d’un panel de 55 exploitations du bassin Charolais sur la période 1987-2007, nous avons dégagé trois profils de production sur la base de critères relatifs à l’engraissement des mâles et au chargement. Des cycles de production plus longs confèrent une plus grande diversité d’animaux commercialisables à court terme et un faible chargement diminue les risques de pénurie en fourrages. Nos analyses montrent que ce sont les éleveurs avec le chargement le plus élevé qui ajustent le plus leurs itinéraires de production via la complémentation des animaux et la part des surfaces en prairies fauchées, et, qui ont les résultats économiques les plus sensibles aux aléas climatiques. Les éleveurs engraissant le plus d’animaux ont eu des revenus moins sensibles aux aléas de prix. Il n’y a en revanche pas de différences significatives de revenus moyens selon les profils. L’analyse des évolutions de long terme révèle que les éleveurs ont tous modifié leur exploitation via l’agrandissement, l’intensification de la production à l’animal et la diminution de la part des mâles engraissés. Les exploitations les moins chargées semblent aller vers une extensification encore plus prononcée de la gestion des surfaces fourragères.

Suckler cow farmers are challenged both by the evolution of their socio-economic environment and by weather and market risks. This study was aimed at testing if farms characterised a priori by a higher flexibility are less sensitive to weather and beef price risks without experiencing lower average income. Technical and economic variables were extracted from a panel dataset of 55 farms from the French Charolais area over the period 1987-2007. Three production profiles were defined according to stocking rate and male fattening rate criteria. Longer production cycles are supposed to provide a higher diversity of animal in a short run and lower stocking rate. To face weather variability, adjustments concerned mainly animal supplementation and haymaking and were used above all by the farmers with the highest stocking rate. These farmers then experienced higher income variability in response to weather conditions. The farmers fattening the most were less sensitive to price variations. Average income was not significantly different according to profiles. Regarding farm evolution, we observed an increase of farm size, an intensification of animal production and a decrease of male fattening. The farms with the lowest stocking rate tended to decrease even more their forage management. | Les éleveurs de bovins sont confrontés à une évolution continue du contexte socio-économique et à des conditions climatiques et économiques aléatoires. Nous cherchons à déterminer à travers une analyse statistique si des exploitations disposant de plus grandes sources de flexibilité sont moins sensibles à ces aléas et si leurs revenus moyens s’en ressentent. A partir des données technico-économiques d’un panel de 55 exploitations du bassin Charolais sur la période 1987-2007, nous avons dégagé trois profils de production sur la base de critères relatifs à l’engraissement des mâles et au chargement. Des cycles de production plus longs confèrent une plus grande diversité d’animaux commercialisables à court terme et un faible chargement diminue les risques de pénurie en fourrages. Nos analyses montrent que ce sont les éleveurs avec le chargement le plus élevé qui ajustent le plus leurs itinéraires de production via la complémentation des animaux et la part des surfaces en prairies fauchées, et, qui ont les résultats économiques les plus sensibles aux aléas climatiques. Les éleveurs engraissant le plus d’animaux ont eu des revenus moins sensibles aux aléas de prix. Il n’y a en revanche pas de différences significatives de revenus moyens selon les profils. L’analyse des évolutions de long terme révèle que les éleveurs ont tous modifié leur exploitation via l’agrandissement, l’intensification de la production à l’animal et la diminution de la part des mâles engraissés. Les exploitations les moins chargées semblent aller vers une extensification encore plus prononcée de la gestion des surfaces fourragères.

LAI, FAPAR and FCOVER variables are required for the monitoring, understanding and modelling of land surfaces at the global scale. While several products were already developed from the current medium resolution sensors, the few validation exercises achieved demonstrated that significant discrepancies and inconsistencies were observed. The objective of this study was to develop new global estimates of LAI, FAPAR and FCOVER that will build on the pros and minimize cons of already existing products. In a first step, the performances of the MODIS, CYCLOPES, GLOBACRBON and JRC‐FAPAR products were reviewed. The MODIS and CYCLOPES products were selected since they provide higher level of consistency. These products were then fused to generate the ‘best estimate’ of LAI, FAPAR and FCOVER that were later scaled to better match their expected range of variation. [br/] Finally, neural networks were trained to estimate these best estimates products from SPOT‐VEGETATION top of canopy directionally normalized reflectance values. Performances of the derived products called GEOV1 were evaluated, showing significant improvements as compared to previous products. These products will be extended back to 1981 using the AVHRR series of observation, and continued after the VEGETATION era thanks to AVHRR‐METOP, PROBA‐V and Sentinel3 future missions

International audience | LAI, FAPAR and FCOVER variables are required for the monitoring, understanding and modelling of land surfaces at the global scale. While several products were already developed from the current medium resolution sensors, the few validation exercises achieved demonstrated that significant discrepancies and inconsistencies were observed. The objective of this study was to develop new global estimates of LAI, FAPAR and FCOVER that will build on the pros and minimize cons of already existing products. In a first step, the performances of the MODIS, CYCLOPES, GLOBACRBON and JRC‐FAPAR products were reviewed. The MODIS and CYCLOPES products were selected since they provide higher level of consistency. These products were then fused to generate the ‘best estimate’ of LAI, FAPAR and FCOVER that were later scaled to better match their expected range of variation. Finally, neural networks were trained to estimate these best estimates products from SPOT‐VEGETATION top of canopy directionally normalized reflectance values. Performances of the derived products called GEOV1 were evaluated, showing significant improvements as compared to previous products. These products will be extended back to 1981 using the AVHRR series of observation, and continued after the VEGETATION era thanks to AVHRR‐METOP, PROBA‐V and Sentinel3 future missions

Tetraploid wheat (durum wheat) is mainly used for the preparation of pasta. As a result of breeding, thousands of tetraploid wheat varieties exist, but also tetraploid landraces are still maintained and used for local food preparations. Gluten proteins present in wheat can induce celiac disease, a T-cell mediated auto-immune disorder, in genetically predisposed individuals after ingestion. Compared to hexaploid wheat, tetraploid wheat might be reduced in T-cell stimulatory epitopes that cause celiac disease because of the absence of the D-genome. We tested gluten protein extracts from 103 tetraploid wheat accessions (obtained from the Dutch CGN genebank and from the French INRA collection) including landraces, old, modern, and domesticated accessions of various tetraploid species and subspecies from many geographic origins. Those accessions were typed for their level of T-cell stimulatory epitopes by immunoblotting with monoclonal antibodies against the a-gliadin epitopes Glia-alpha 9 and Glia-alpha 20. In the first selection, we found 8 CGN and 6 INRA accessions with reduced epitope staining. Fourteen of the 57 CGN accessions turned out to be mixed with hexaploid wheat, and 5 out of the 8 selected CGN accessions were mixtures of two or more different gluten protein chemotypes. Based on single seed analysis, lines from two CGN accessions and one INRA accession were obtained with significantly reduced levels of Glia-alpha 9 and Glia-alpha 20 epitopes. These lines will be further tested for industrial quality and may contribute to the development of safer foods for celiac patients.

Tetraploid wheat (durum wheat) is mainly used for the preparation of pasta. As a result of breeding, thousands of tetraploid wheat varieties exist, but also tetraploid landraces are still maintained and used for local food preparations. Gluten proteins present in wheat can induce celiac disease, a T-cell mediated auto-immune disorder, in genetically predisposed individuals after ingestion. Compared to hexaploid wheat, tetraploid wheat might be reduced in T-cell stimulatory epitopes that cause celiac disease because of the absence of the D-genome. We tested gluten protein extracts from 103 tetraploid wheat accessions (obtained from the Dutch CGN genebank and from the French INRA collection) including landraces, old, modern, and domesticated accessions of various tetraploid species and subspecies from many geographic origins. Those accessions were typed for their level of T-cell stimulatory epitopes by immunoblotting with monoclonal antibodies against the a-gliadin epitopes Glia-alpha 9 and Glia-alpha 20. In the first selection, we found 8 CGN and 6 INRA accessions with reduced epitope staining. Fourteen of the 57 CGN accessions turned out to be mixed with hexaploid wheat, and 5 out of the 8 selected CGN accessions were mixtures of two or more different gluten protein chemotypes. Based on single seed analysis, lines from two CGN accessions and one INRA accession were obtained with significantly reduced levels of Glia-alpha 9 and Glia-alpha 20 epitopes. These lines will be further tested for industrial quality and may contribute to the development of safer foods for celiac patients.

For almost two years (2006–2007), phytoplankton structure and distribution were monitored using a combination of methods in the Marne Reservoir (France). We used the bbe FluoroprobeTM spectrofluorometer, which provides vertical profiles for different algal classes and chlorophyll analysis, based on the in vivo autofluorescence characteristics of the phytoplankton. In parallel, we measured chlorophyll a (chl a) concentrations using the classical extraction method coupled with spectrophotometric analyses, and calculated the biovolume of all the taxa identified using inverted light microscopy. A very close correlation (ρ = 0.93, n = 243, p < 0.0001) was found between the total equivalent chl a concentrations given by the bbe FluoroprobeTM and the total chl a concentrations (g·L−1) provided by the spectrophotometric analysis. The closest correlation was obtained for concentrations below 6.9 μg·L−1 whereas little or no correlation was found for those above 21.6 μg·L−1. The relationship was highly significant when total phytoplankton biovolume was compared with data from the probe (ρ = 0.6, n = 243, p < 0.0001), the strongest correlation being found for the group composed of diatoms, dinoflagellates and chrysophyceae (ρ = 0.67, p < 0.0001), while the weakest relationship was for the blue-green cyanobacteria (ρ = 0.33, p < 0.0001), although it was still highly significant. Our analysis, based on a large dataset, indicates that the FluoroprobeTM appears to be a reliable tool suitable for use by fresh water managers to monitor phytoplankton on any relevant time and space scales.

Background In social insects, the queen is essential to the functioning and homeostasis of the colony. This influence has been demonstrated to be mediated through pheromone communication. However, the only social insect for which any queen pheromone has been identified is the honey bee (Apis mellifera) with its well-known queen mandibular pheromone (QMP). Although pleiotropic effects on colony regulation are accredited to the QMP, this pheromone does not trigger the full behavioral and physiological response observed in the presence of the queen, suggesting the presence of additional compounds. We tested the hypothesis of a pheromone redundancy in honey bee queens by comparing the influence of queens with and without mandibular glands on worker behavior and physiology. Results Demandibulated queens had no detectable (E)-9-oxodec-2-enoic acid (9-ODA), the major compound in QMP, yet they controlled worker behavior (cell construction and queen retinue) and physiology (ovary inhibition) as efficiently as intact queens. Conclusions We demonstrated that the queen uses other pheromones as powerful as QMP to control the colony. It follows that queens appear to have multiple active compounds with similar functions in the colony (pheromone redundancy). Our findings support two hypotheses in the biology of social insects: (1) that multiple semiochemicals with synonymous meaning exist in the honey bee, (2) that this extensive semiochemical vocabulary exists because it confers an evolutionary advantage to the colony

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In social insects, the queen is essential to the functioning and homeostasis of the colony. This influence has been demonstrated to be mediated through pheromone communication. However, the only social insect for which any queen pheromone has been identified is the honey bee (<it>Apis mellifera</it>) with its well-known queen mandibular pheromone (QMP). Although pleiotropic effects on colony regulation are accredited to the QMP, this pheromone does not trigger the full behavioral and physiological response observed in the presence of the queen, suggesting the presence of additional compounds. We tested the hypothesis of a pheromone redundancy in honey bee queens by comparing the influence of queens with and without mandibular glands on worker behavior and physiology.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Demandibulated queens had no detectable (E)-9-oxodec-2-enoic acid (9-ODA), the major compound in QMP, yet they controlled worker behavior (cell construction and queen retinue) and physiology (ovary inhibition) as efficiently as intact queens.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We demonstrated that the queen uses other pheromones as powerful as QMP to control the colony. It follows that queens appear to have multiple active compounds with similar functions in the colony (pheromone redundancy). Our findings support two hypotheses in the biology of social insects: (1) that multiple semiochemicals with synonymous meaning exist in the honey bee, (2) that this extensive semiochemical vocabulary exists because it confers an evolutionary advantage to the colony.</p>

Background In social insects, the queen is essential to the functioning and homeostasis of the colony. This influence has been demonstrated to be mediated through pheromone communication. However, the only social insect for which any queen pheromone has been identified is the honey bee (Apis mellifera) with its well-known queen mandibular pheromone (QMP). Although pleiotropic effects on colony regulation are accredited to the QMP, this pheromone does not trigger the full behavioral and physiological response observed in the presence of the queen, suggesting the presence of additional compounds. We tested the hypothesis of a pheromone redundancy in honey bee queens by comparing the influence of queens with and without mandibular glands on worker behavior and physiology. Results Demandibulated queens had no detectable (E)-9-oxodec-2-enoic acid (9-ODA), the major compound in QMP, yet they controlled worker behavior (cell construction and queen retinue) and physiology (ovary inhibition) as efficiently as intact queens. Conclusions We demonstrated that the queen uses other pheromones as powerful as QMP to control the colony. It follows that queens appear to have multiple active compounds with similar functions in the colony (pheromone redundancy). Our findings support two hypotheses in the biology of social insects: (1) that multiple semiochemicals with synonymous meaning exist in the honey bee, (2) that this extensive semiochemical vocabulary exists because it confers an evolutionary advantage to the colony

Pesticide use reduction in arable cropping systems has become a priority of public policies. To meet the objectives of reducing pesticide use by 50%, it is not only relevant to improve the efficiency of crop protection and to substitute non-chemical solution to pesticide but it is also necessary to consider redesigning cropping systems and exploring really innovative breakthroughs. It is equally important to assess all the economic, social and environmental impacts, be them direct or indirect, of proposed innovative systems. How can we design really innovative solutions and be able to assess them as completely as possible? DEXiPM is an ex ante multi-criteria assessment tool which make it possible (i) to compare, as early as possible, innovative systems with conventional systems, (ii) to select thosesystems which are the most promising ones and which would be further tested in-field, and (iii) to identify the conditions which could make their adoption easier.The ability to analyse and compare innovative systems using DEXiPM should prove valuable not only in estimating the overall sustainability of the systems but, more importantly, in shedding light on the value of all the criteria under analysis. Thus further improvements can be discussed and tested, resulting in better proposals for innovative systems. And because the context (political, social, economical etc) is taken into account in the model, DEXiPM can also assess those innovative systems which may not be feasible or efficient today, but which might be sustainable 'tomorrow' in a different context | Suite au Grenelle de l’Environnement et à l’évolution des politiques publiques, une réduction sensible de l’usage des produits phytosanitaires est attendue. Cette réduction passe non seulement par une meilleure efficience des intrants et par la substitution de techniques de lutte non chimique aux méthodes habituellement utilisées, mais aussi par des changements de systèmes de culture et l’exploration de stratégies ou d’innovations qui soient en réelle rupture avec les pratiques actuelles. Par ailleurs, il est nécessaire d’évaluer l’ensemble des impacts sociaux, économiques et environnementaux de tels changements car il peut y avoir contradiction entre ces différents aspects de la durabilité. Comment concevoir des innovations en réelle rupture et disposer néanmoins d’une évaluation multicritère de leurs performances la plus solide et la plus large possible ? L’outil d’évaluation ex ante multicritère DEXiPM a été développé à cette fin et permet de (i) pouvoir comparer, le plus en amont possible, les performances de systèmes innovants avec celles des systèmes actuels, (ii) sélectionner a priori les systèmes les plus prometteurs qui pourront alors être testés au champ (en station et/ou en fermes) et (iii) identifier les conditions facilitant l’adoption de ces systèmes innovants.L’aptitude à l’analyse et à la comparaison de ces systèmes innovants par l’utilisation de DEXiPM est précieuse pour l’estimation de la durabilité globale des systèmes, mais surtout par la mise en lumière de l’ensemble des critères analysés. Ainsi les améliorations proposées peuvent être discutées et testées sur la base des connaissances disponibles. Parce que le contexte (politique, social, économique…) est pris en compte dans le modèle, DEXiPM peut aussi aider à concevoir des systèmes innovants qui ne sont pas nécessairement viables économiquement, écologiquement performants ou socialement acceptables aujourd’hui mais qui pourraient l’être sous certaines conditions, comme des politiques publiques appropriées ou des stratégies de filière adaptées

Pesticide use reduction in arable cropping systems has become a priority of public policies. To meet the objectives of reducing pesticide use by 50%, it is not only relevant to improve the efficiency of crop protection and to substitute non-chemical solution to pesticide but it is also necessary to consider redesigning cropping systems and exploring really innovative breakthroughs. It is equally important to assess all the economic, social and environmental impacts, be them direct or indirect, of proposed innovative systems. How can we design really innovative solutions and be able to assess them as completely as possible? DEXiPM is an ex ante multi-criteria assessment tool which make it possible (i) to compare, as early as possible, innovative systems with conventional systems, (ii) to select thosesystems which are the most promising ones and which would be further tested in-field, and (iii) to identify the conditions which could make their adoption easier.The ability to analyse and compare innovative systems using DEXiPM should prove valuable not only in estimating the overall sustainability of the systems but, more importantly, in shedding light on the value of all the criteria under analysis. Thus further improvements can be discussed and tested, resulting in better proposals for innovative systems. And because the context (political, social, economical etc) is taken into account in the model, DEXiPM can also assess those innovative systems which may not be feasible or efficient today, but which might be sustainable 'tomorrow' in a different context | Suite au Grenelle de l’Environnement et à l’évolution des politiques publiques, une réduction sensible de l’usage des produits phytosanitaires est attendue. Cette réduction passe non seulement par une meilleure efficience des intrants et par la substitution de techniques de lutte non chimique aux méthodes habituellement utilisées, mais aussi par des changements de systèmes de culture et l’exploration de stratégies ou d’innovations qui soient en réelle rupture avec les pratiques actuelles. Par ailleurs, il est nécessaire d’évaluer l’ensemble des impacts sociaux, économiques et environnementaux de tels changements car il peut y avoir contradiction entre ces différents aspects de la durabilité. Comment concevoir des innovations en réelle rupture et disposer néanmoins d’une évaluation multicritère de leurs performances la plus solide et la plus large possible ? L’outil d’évaluation ex ante multicritère DEXiPM a été développé à cette fin et permet de (i) pouvoir comparer, le plus en amont possible, les performances de systèmes innovants avec celles des systèmes actuels, (ii) sélectionner a priori les systèmes les plus prometteurs qui pourront alors être testés au champ (en station et/ou en fermes) et (iii) identifier les conditions facilitant l’adoption de ces systèmes innovants.L’aptitude à l’analyse et à la comparaison de ces systèmes innovants par l’utilisation de DEXiPM est précieuse pour l’estimation de la durabilité globale des systèmes, mais surtout par la mise en lumière de l’ensemble des critères analysés. Ainsi les améliorations proposées peuvent être discutées et testées sur la base des connaissances disponibles. Parce que le contexte (politique, social, économique…) est pris en compte dans le modèle, DEXiPM peut aussi aider à concevoir des systèmes innovants qui ne sont pas nécessairement viables économiquement, écologiquement performants ou socialement acceptables aujourd’hui mais qui pourraient l’être sous certaines conditions, comme des politiques publiques appropriées ou des stratégies de filière adaptées

Pesticide use reduction in arable cropping systems has become a priority of public policies. To meet the objectives of reducing pesticide use by 50%, it is not only relevant to improve the efficiency of crop protection and to substitute non-chemical solution to pesticide but it is also necessary to consider redesigning cropping systems and exploring really innovative breakthroughs. It is equally important to assess all the economic, social and environmental impacts, be them direct or indirect, of proposed innovative systems. How can we design really innovative solutions and be able to assess them as completely as possible? DEXiPM is an ex ante multi-criteria assessment tool which make it possible (i) to compare, as early as possible, innovative systems with conventional systems, (ii) to select thosesystems which are the most promising ones and which would be further tested in-field, and (iii) to identify the conditions which could make their adoption easier.The ability to analyse and compare innovative systems using DEXiPM should prove valuable not only in estimating the overall sustainability of the systems but, more importantly, in shedding light on the value of all the criteria under analysis. Thus further improvements can be discussed and tested, resulting in better proposals for innovative systems. And because the context (political, social, economical etc) is taken into account in the model, DEXiPM can also assess those innovative systems which may not be feasible or efficient today, but which might be sustainable 'tomorrow' in a different context