NIRS for phenotyping oil palm fruit

Equipe terrain Benin 2026

As part of the VitaSPEC project, Fabienne Morcillo, Stéphane Dussert, Thibaut Bontpart (MADE team), and Martin Ecarnot (INRAE, UMR AGAP) carried out a mission at the CRA-PP (INRAB) station in Pobè, Benin. This project, conducted in collaboration with INRAB and the company PalmElit, aims to develop a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) method to measure the oil content of the oil palm fruit mesocarp and its lipid composition (fatty acids, provitamin A [carotenes], and vitamin E [tocochromanols]).

Based on the calibrations obtained for each family of compounds, the objective of this mission was to assess variation at both the bunch and fruit scales, in order to establish an experimental phenotyping protocol. This protocol can later be used for high-throughput phenotyping within the genetic resource collection maintained at the station or in the genetic trial monitored as part of this project.

A visit to the French Embassy in Benin was also carried out to identify new funding opportunities, particularly for obtaining a mobility grant for a PhD student.

 

Share

See also

November 2026

How do research staff get involved?

The UMR Sustainability Working Group, with support from the audiovisual department, has produced a video project highlighting how IRD scientists are responding to the social and environmental emergency. Six scientists share their experiences, illustrating the diversity of their awareness and forms of engagement.
October 2026

proVitamin A content in Oil palm

Thibaut Bontpart (MADE team) will coordinate the ANR JCJC proVISION project (2026–2030), which aims to identify the genetic determinants of carotene (provitamin A) content and composition in oil palm fruit. This multidisciplinary project involves partners from the DIADE and AGAP joint research units, as well as the National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin (INRAB).
Logo IRD
July 2026

Project to merge IRD with CNRS

Several initiatives, including two petitions, have been launched to raise awareness about the possible merger of the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).
July 2026

Genomic Sciences in West Africa

Christine Tranchant-Dubreuil participated in a discussion on education, research, and the future of genomic sciences in West Africa.
Bolero_SL
July 2026

Rootstock breeding

Frédéric Georget, Sophie Léran, Axel Labeyrie, and Hervé Etienne participated in a workshop organized by Agromillora in Sitges, Spain, as part of the Horizon Europe BOLERO project (coordinated by S. Léran, CoffeeAdapt team). The workshop focused on the challenges of rootstock breeding to enhance the resilience of fruit trees in Europe and tropical regions.
March 2026

Silence, It’s Growing!

Thomas Couvreur, Yohan Pillon, Alexandra Boultif, and Théo Delaigue took part in the program “Silence, It’s Growing!” broadcast on France 5.
Logo IRD
February 2026

Opening of Researcher positions (M/F) – 2026 Campaign

Second-class research directors Calendar for second-class research director competitions Eligibility phase (review of applications and interviews with eligible candidates): April-June 2026 Admission phase (review of applications and eligibility reports for eligible candidates): July 2026 Normal class research fellows Calendar for normal class research fellow (CRCN) competitions Eligibility phase (review of applications and interviews with candidates […]

Sigle DIADE
Sigle DIADE