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| Research is the strong point that
makes Delbard stand out as a company, and on which its development
is based. It is a source of new and exclusive products and contributes
to the company's reputation for quality and innovation.
The research programmes concern the rose and fruit tree sectors
and also the development of biotechnologies applied to ligneous
plants. The aim is to obtain new varieties and to optimise both
the organisation of production and plant health. Bringing together
the research carried out on roses and fruit varieties at the
same location (Commentry) has given rise to considerable synergies
for the biotechnology laboratory. Multidisciplinary research
also draws on special partnerships with public scientific bodies
(INRA, ENITA, Universities) together with a network located
elsewhere in France and abroad working on new subjects.
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| The Experimental orchard |
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Delbard is one of the major producers in
Europe of hybrid varieties of fruit with pips (apples,
pears) and stones (cherries). The main goal is the creation
of varieties with extremely good taste qualities. By broadening
the gene base with the regular introduction of old or
botanic varieties, original characters can be introduced
into the varieties grown. The introduction of resistance
genes should eventually enable the use of pesticides to
be reduced if not eliminated. We are also searching to
improve the agronomic qualities (more regular crops, natural
thinning, for example). For the amateur gardener we are
creating varieties with a more compact habit. A large
number of selections drawn from the 5,000 varieties of
fruit trees and rootstocks studied in the experimental
orchard at Malicorne have been launched on the amateur
and professional markets, such as the apple varieties
Royal Gala ® tenroy, Delbarestivale®delcorf, Delbard
jubilé®delgollune, Tentation®delblush. |
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| Experimental green house
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The creation of new Delbard rose varieties
for cut flowers and the garden has been constant
for 30 years, and since last season has taken place
in our new green houses covering a surface area
of 5,000 m2. Over 400 crosses are made every year
and 25,000 hybrids are selected for their aesthetic
qualities (colour, scent, habit, etc.) and agronomical
reasons (disease resistance, generosity of flowering,
absence of thorns, etc). The final selection phase
takes place after 3 years, using a network of licence
holders all over the world, and results in 5 varieties
at the most being retained. As with fruit research,
the gene base is broadened regularly and enables
characteristics originating from botanical or wild
varieties to be introduced, such as disease resistance,
unusual habit or development (remontant, grouped
flowering). In vitro saving of immature embryonic
plants makes it possible to cross incompatible species.
The use of molecular markers and in vitro inoculation
tests should eventually make it possible to accelerate
and increase the efficiency of our breeding programmes.
These lines of research are developed in cooperation
with research institutes (INRA, INH, Universities). |
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| Micropropagation laboratory |
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The micropropagation laboratory which
originally was solely a tool for propagation true
to the original plant, has allowed new varieties
of rose and healthy fruit rootstocks to be developed
more rapidly. The production capacity is several
million plants per year. Research is under way to
increase the propagation capacity thanks notably
to somatic embryogenesis. In vitro propagation of
several species has or is being developed under
contract or in partnership with industry (hevea
for rubber, ginkgo for the pharmaceutical industry,
leek for seed stock production). The in vitro technology
can also be an important tool to help with variety
creation. It is already used to overcome the high
dormancy rate and inhibitions encountered with the
embryos of certain fruit varieties. Early retrieval
of embryos also makes it possible to consider obtaining
hybrids from incompatible species. There have been
success stories in this connection with roses. Mutagenesis,
rendered possible thanks to control of bud regeneration
from isolated cells, is also a means of genetic
creation using interesting varieties. |
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