Key Initiative: CLAPAS

A Key Initiative for Innovative Research in Plant Health and Agrosystems.

Given the many biotic and abiotic risks facing plants—such as diseases, pests, climate change, and intensive agricultural practices—plant health research has emerged as a major priority. These challenges affect not only agricultural productivity but also food security, biodiversity, and ecological balance. In this context, the CLAPAS initiative¹ proposes to explore plant health through a broader approach, drawing inspiration from the concept of the exposome, which encompasses all interactions between plants and their environment (soils, microbiomes, pests, beneficial organisms, etc.). This approach is fully aligned with the One Health perspective, linking plant, environmental, animal, and human health.

Objectives of the Key Initiative

CLAPAS aims to organize Montpellier’s scientific community around three priority research areas:

1. Mechanisms and ecology of biotic interactions in agrosystems.
2. The role of microbiota in plant adaptation to their environment.
3. Epidemiological surveillance and adaptive dynamics of pests.

This research has three main objectives:

• Prevent risks using tools such as ecological modeling, genomics, and epidemiological surveillance.
• To combat pests by developing innovative solutions such as the use of microbiota, metabolites, or natural enemies, as well as methods such as chemical confusion and the sterile insect technique.
• Build resilience by assessing the environmental, social, and economic impacts of proposed solutions.

A Culture of Collaboration

This project brings together numerous laboratories from the “Agronomy, Environment, Biodiversity” (AEB) research cluster at I-Site, which unites several national research institutions (INRAE, IRD, CIRAD, Institut Agro Montpellier, University of Montpellier), and draws on international collaborations, particularly with countries in the Global South that are severely affected by climate change. CLAPAS is also part of national and European initiatives and collaborates with non-academic stakeholders (FREDON, the Chamber of Agriculture, and specialized companies).

By strengthening interdisciplinary synergies and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, CLAPAS aims to establish Montpellier as a center of excellence in plant health research, firmly focused on the challenges of the future.

Key Actions of the CLAPAS Key Initiative: Plant Health and an Integrated Approach

CLAPAS implements interdisciplinary and collaborative initiatives to strengthen research and raise awareness regarding plant health, incorporating the concepts of the exposome and One Health. These initiatives are aimed at local research units and focus on four main areas:

1. Organization of scientific events: Conferences, workshops, and regular meetings will be organized to foster exchanges among researchers, disseminate findings, and build a dynamic scientific network focused on plant health.
2. Support for interdisciplinary research projects: Funding will be allocated to collaborative projects involving multiple research units, with a focus on training master’s students. These projects will foster synergies with the social sciences, human health, and animal health, promoting innovative and integrative research.
3. Research schools and specialized training programs: Training programs will be offered to researchers and doctoral students, focusing on key topics such as plant and environmental health, microbial communities, biodiversity, epidemiological modeling, and bioinformatics analysis. These schools aim to strengthen the skills of young scientists and research teams.
4. Science-Society Interactions: Surveys will be conducted to better understand how local stakeholders perceive plant health (e.g., community gardens in Montpellier). At the same time, public awareness workshops will be organized during events such as the Fête de la Science or the project’s closing symposium.

These ambitious initiatives aim to build a research community focused on plant health, promote innovative and sustainable approaches, and raise public awareness of plant health issues from a global perspective.

1. Collaborative Local Research Actions on Plant Health and AgroSystems. The name CLAPAS refers to the Occitan word for a pile of stones or a heap of pebbles—often seen in fields—and to the nickname of Montpellier, a historic hub of agronomy . ↩︎