UE Mais

The Maize EU specialises in maize genetics and plays a central role in the French maize breeding industry. It also contributes to knowledge of the genetic diversity of maize in Europe: identification of original genetic resources for breeding, phenotypic characterisation and application to the search for loci of interest and genomic selection. To this end, it creates original genetic material and develops and implements phenotyping protocols. It contributes to new knowledge in the fields of tolerance to abiotic stresses (water deficit, cold, nitrogen deficiency), early flowering, biomass production and digestibility, and reproduction.

The unit also carries out all the multiplication of French and European maize genetic resources as part of the IR RARe maize CRB, and maintains and distributes the lines.