Postdoctoral Research: Hydraulic (Dys)functioning of the maritime pine in response to biotic (pine nematode) and abiotic (water stress) stressors, and its application in genetic improvement

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INRAE presentation

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is a major player in research and innovation. It is a community of 12,000 people with 272 research, experimental research, and support units located in 18 regional centres throughout France. Internationally, INRAE is among the top research organisations in the agricultural and food sciences, plant and animal sciences, as well as in ecology and environmental science. It is the world’s leading research organisation specialising in agriculture, food and the environment. INRAE’s goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. Faced with a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity, the Institute has a major role to play in building solutions and supporting the necessary acceleration of agricultural, food and environmental transitions.

Work environment, missions and activities

CONTEXT

The forestry and timber industry employs more than 50,000 people in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, and the turnover generated by companies in the sector is close to €10 billion, ranking it first among French regions. In this region, maritime pine plantations cover around 800,000 hectares, which is a major challenge for the forestry and timber industry at both regional and national level, accounting for 24% of French timber harvests. Thanks to the research and development work carried out by the “Groupe Pin Maritime du Futur” scientific interest group, new varieties improved for wood production and adaptation are regularly distributed (28 million seedlings/year in a “normal” year, up to 44 million following reforestation after Storm Klaus). This forest is now facing biotic and abiotic stresses and disturbances that are intensifying with global change. Most climate change scenarios predict an increase in average temperatures and the severity of droughts. Many pathogens are therefore likely to cause greater damage in response to these changes, particularly as trees become more susceptible.

PROJECT

The objective of this project is to study, under controlled conditions, the responses of maritime pine to water stress and biotic stress (the pine nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), focusing specifically on the hydraulic (dys)functioning caused by these two stresses in order to identify global defense mechanisms, whether they are constitutive (always present) or induced by these stresses. A better understanding of the trees’ response to stress will enable the definition of selection criteria within the framework of the maritime pine improvement program. Damage caused by pine nematodes and drought are linked because both lead to a limitation of water supply via a disruption of water transport due to vascular embolism.

The project will focus on several populations of young potted pines (Pinus taeda, Pinus pinea, and two genetic pools of Pinus pinaster), for which we already have information on phenotypes (growth, adaptation, wood quality). The assessment of the impact of these stresses (pine nematode and drought) will be based on the study of hydraulic dysfunction in the seedlings (measurement of xylem hydraulic conductivity loss). The project will benefit from numerous existing resources (the PHENOBOIS platform) and containment facilities (the greenhouse and laboratories of the EMERGREEN platform).

You will join the BIOGECO laboratory, a joint research unit composed of members from INRAE and the University of Bordeaux. Your work will be part of the PEPR FORESTT program under the supervision of Marc Kleinhentz

Training and skills

• Knowledge of plant ecophysiology and hydraulics (drought resistance / xylem anatomy) is desirable.
• Methodological rigor. Ability to integrate into and work within a multidisciplinary team and to grasp the concepts and methods of these complementary disciplines.
• Experience working in a containment facility with quarantine organisms would be a plus
• Analytical and synthesis skills.
• Writing skills (French, English).

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from (depending on the type of contract and its duration):

- up to 30 days of annual leave + 15 days "Reduction of Working Time" (for a full time);
- parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services;
- skills development systems: training, career advise;
- social support: advice and listening, social assistance and loans;
- holiday and leisure services: holiday vouchers, accommodation at preferential rates;
- sports and cultural activities;
- collective catering.

How to apply

I send my CV and my motivation letter