The spectacular growth of agricultural productivity during the twentieth century was made possible thanks to several remarkable developments in farming techniques: genetic selection, agrochemicals, mechanized and intensive production. This revolution in agricultural practices has, however, generated numerous environmental problems with the excessive use of pesticides, nitrates and phosphates. Humanity now needs to develop environmentally friendly farming techniques.

Two main axes:

• Development of new generations of environmentally-friendly pesticides and fertilizers >>>

• Crop breeding >>>

Beside improving low-input agricultural strategies and quality of crops, a second set of added values of TULIP translational research programs will be environmental. On the one hand, fundamental questions addressed by scientists working using molecular approaches are complemented by environmental approaches leading to engineering and ecological restoration. On the other hand, involving ecologists is a unique opportunity to study long-term environmental impacts of new products developed by biologists.

One of the aims of the TULIP project is to strengthen research at the interface between sciences that appear as most applied (chemistry, agronomy and environmental conservation). Interactions between applied and fundamental research is also one of TULIP specificities and must lead to enhance observatories. In the medium term, researchers hope to improve biodiversity management and, thanks to some strong links with environmental agencies, influence public policy as, for example,  taking biodiversity into account in local planning and the organization of territories.

Research development is based on relationships between scientific institutions and industrial partners: Toulouse SATT (Toulouse Tech Transfer), INRA Transfert, Agrimip innovation cluster, agro-industrial and seed companies.