Symbioses and biostimulants

During this module, the differences and similarities between beneficial and pathogenic interactions are explored. An important part of the course is devoted to the understanding of the mechanisms involved in beneficial interactions (mycorrhizae, symbiotic bacteria, PGPR,...) and their potential for the improvement of agricultural practices. Another important part of the course concerns the regulations around the registration and also the experiments around biostimulants and biocontrol products.

Examples of external stakeholders:

• Karine GROSBEAU (Green Elephant): Regulations around biostimulants / biocontrol products

Two visits

• Green elephant visit : the production of bacterial inoculum
• Visit to Staphyt: product testing of bio-control, GHP, GLP and CEB

A lab in which students have 3 sessions to conduct an experiment to test the effect of a PGPR on the growth of wheat under many conditions. The students have to phenotype the plants, make biochemical assays (sugar, nitrogen, chlorophyll,...) and measure enzymatic activities (catalase, nitrate reductase,...)

Knowledge

• To have basic knowledge on beneficial microorganisms in order to be able to conduct an experiment in Biostimulation / Biocontrol.
• Know the rules for experimentation on biocontrol products (stimulation)
• Know the registration rules for biocontrol products (stimulation)

How to do it

• To have experimented with a biostimulant
• Have practiced phenotyping
• Know how to perform a biochemical assay and measure an enzymatic activity.
• Know how to set up a protocol using material and methods from a scientific publication

Hourly volumes* :

            CM : 15

            TD : 15

            Land : 6

• basics of microbiology,
• bases on plant/microorganism interactions

Recommended prerequisites*:

• basics in laboratory techniques