Vilmorin & Cie - Annual report 2017-2018

254 FURTHER Information 8 ANNUAL REPORT Vilmorin & Cie 2017-2018 8.3. Technical glossary 8.3. Technical glossary A Autogamous: Pollination of the ovules of a flower by its own pollen; self- fertilization or self-pollination. B Biological fight: The fight against crop pathogens using their natural predators. Biotechnology: The application of science and engineering to the use of living organisms in their natural or modified forms. Breeders: Companies and professionals who create new varieties. C Character: Item of the description of the phenotype of a living organism or a species. Criticality: Cumulative effect of the probability of a risk occurring and the gravity of the damage it would cause. D DHS/VAT tests: New varieties in the common EEC catalog are subjected to DHS (distinctness, homogeneity and stability) and VAT (agronomic and technological value) trials whenever appropriate. The results of the trials are reviewed by a Technical Committee. These new varieties must therefore demonstrate an agronomic (better tolerance to cold, disease, etc.) and/ or technological (better ability to bake, etc.) improvement, and integrate environmental criteria (better adaptation to soil, climate, etc.). VAT requires 2 years of studies. G Genetic resources: Group of genes from various plant species. Genetically Modified Organism (GMO): Organism (plant or micro- organism) whose genome has been voluntarily modified by man using a technique, transgenesis, combining in vitro culture and genetic engineering. Genome: All the genetic material in the chromosomes of a particular organism. Genomics: The study of genes, their resulting proteins, and the role played by the proteins in the body’s biochemical processes. Germplasm: Genetic heritage. H Hybrid: Heterozygous offspring of two genetically different parents. This conventional breeding method involves cross-fertilizing plants (parents) of the same species in order to obtain a plant (hybrid) bearing certain characteristics of the two varieties initially chosen. In theory the hybrid is more robust than its two parents. I Inputs: Agricultural inputs involve the different products provided to the soil and crops, including in particular, fertilizers, amendments, chemical products, seeds, etc. M Molecular marking: Following the presence or absence of a particular trait in a plant by studying its genome (without the need to grow the plant to check whether the trait is present or absent). P Plant breeding: Combining selected parental plants to obtain the next generation with the best characteristics. R Royalties: The seed company enters into licensing agreements (for Europe mainly with cooperatives) to delegate the production and sale of its certified seed. In return, it receives royalties. The royalties collected by Vilmorin & Cie mainly concern wheat and barley. S Sales from proprietary varieties: Sales made on varieties coming out of the research programs of Vilmorin & Cie. Seed multiplication farmer: Farmer specialized in large-scale multiplication or production of seed, with a view to selling the seed. Stacking: The process of introducing several traits (not necessarily GM) into one plant or plant type by either selective (human) or natural breeding methods. T Traits: The expression of a gene or genes providing the plant with resistance to various aggressions from pests, weed-killers, etc. The phenotype is a description of one or more traits. Transgenesis: Integration into a living organism of a gene that confers upon the organism a new property that it will transmit to its descendants. Sources: > https://www.dictionary.com > www.gnis-pedagogie.org > www.larousse.fr > Wikipedia > Internal. Vilmorin & Cie.