The adaptation to efficient agro-ecological systems defines criteria of resistance to pests and diseases. The improvement of productivity and functional, sensory and technological qualities of fruits are also major objectives to ensure the economic sustainability of productions. Thus, the implementation of this objective implies the acquisition and integration of knowledge in the fields of diversity of the species complex, reproductive biology, disease resistance and quality development in order to optimize banana breeding. Our work is based on the development of new knowledge from several disciplines, such as genomics, population genetics, plant pathology, physiology, virology and agroecology, and mobilizes the skills of several CIRAD units (UMR PHIM, UMR Qualisud, UR GECO) and Agap Institute teams (Structure and evolution of genomes (SEG) and Dynamics of diversity, societies and environments (DDSE).

Our research focuses on the different phases of the breeding process, from understanding phenotypic expression to selecting innovative material:

Understanding the structure and evolution of genomes at different scales

Understanding trait architecture and phenotype development

Developing breeding strategies by reconstruction of major ideotypes:
            Dessert bananas
            Plantain and other cooking bananas 

Selecting novel banana varieties for domestic and export markets :
            Dessert bananas
            Plantain and other cooking bananas