FEDER - UNICAEN - ALBATOR - EMERGING
Kohesio
UNIVERSITE DE CAEN NORMANDIE
has. Research objectives and hypothesesa.1. Agro-environmental context and impact of climate change on the grain quality of oilseeds and proteins Climate change affects the crop cycle during the reproductive phase and it is estimated that 30% of interannual yield variations of the main field crops result from variations in temperature and precipitation (Lobell and Field 2007; Ray et al. 2015). Furthermore, climate projections from different models and scenarios suggest an increased increase in extreme one-off events such as heat waves (Lemonsu et al. 2014; Trnka et al. 2014; Christidis et al. 2015; Bador et al. 2017). These trends are expected in the local Norman context and will be characterized more particularly by an increase in the frequency of drought episodes resulting from a reduction in precipitation and a strengthening of seasonal contrasts (Beauvais, 2016; Foissard et al., 2012). Based on this observation, the adaptation of crops to these climatic disturbances has become a priority issue for agriculture to guarantee food security and maintain or even improve the quality of products. In France, oilseed cultivation represents 2.3 million ha, or 20% of the UAA. On a regional scale, rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is the 2nd largest production in Normandy (ca. 132,000 ha) after soft wheat and the 1st oilseed crop with 537,500 tonnes for the 2016/17 campaign (France AgriMer). Although the national and regional production of oilseed flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is more confidential, the areas cultivated in France represent 22,000 ha (sources Terres Univia), ranking the crop second in the EU, behind England's 26,000 ha (FAO stat, 2017). In Normandy, flax production ranks 3rd (220 ha, 616t, 2015/16 campaign) among oilseeds behind rapeseed and sunflower; These two oilseeds are mainly exploited for the production of seeds particularly rich in oil (ca. 38-47% and 35-45% of the dry weight for rapeseed and flax respectively, Terres Inovia). Rapeseed oil is renowned for its high content of a-linolenic acid (¿3), an essential fatty acid and highly beneficial for food (9% for rapeseed; for comparison: 4% for soya; <1% for sunflower, (Aguirrezábal et al. 2015)). It is also used for the production of biofuel (Biodiesel®) and by-products linked to the growth of green chemistry sectors (lubricants, detergents, cosmetics, etc.). Furthermore, rapeseed meal, a by-product of seed crushing particularly rich in proteins and micronutrients, has become an outlet whose increasing value makes it possible to meet protein needs for animal feed while limiting dependence on imports of soybean meals (source: Terres Univia). The major interest of oilseed flax lies in the use of the seeds for animal feed. The oil is rich in triacylglycerides (38-40% for a raw seed at 9% humidity) (Hall et al., 2006) and more particularly in ¿3, (ca. 55%) (Labalette et al. 2011; Akhtar et al. 2013; Goyal et al. 2014). Interesting levels of ¿3 are found in meat products from animals fed on flax, a quality valued by the Blanc-Bleu-Cœur sector. However, the high content of a-linolenic acid makes it a delicate oil to preserve and controlling the fatty acid composition appears essential for the valorization of this resource. Flax cultivation also presents other agronomic uses (Nag et al. 2015). It allows diversification within crop successions by the introduction of a new species and a new family (Linaceae) and thus offers new outlets for farmers. [...] CF Annex attached.
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