Working together for tomorrow s agriculture CIRAD Hevea Expertise

Transcription

1 Working together for tomorrow s agriculture CIRAD Hevea Expertise

2 2 CIRAD at a glance CIRAD (Agricultural Research Centre for International Development) is a French Governmental Research Institution involved in the development of tropical agriculture under the joint authority of the ministry of Higher Education and Research and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. It is a state-owned industrial and commercial enterprise aiming at responding to requests from both governmental-owned and private-sector organizations. CIRAD works with the whole range of developing countries to generate and pass on new knowledge, support agricultural development, and fuel the debate on the main global issues concerning agriculture. CIRAD is a targeted research organization, and bases its operations on development needs, from field to laboratory and from a local to a global scale. CIRAD s activities involve the life sciences, social sciences and engineering sciences, applied to agriculture, food and rural territories. CIRAD works hand-in-hand with local people and the local environment, on complex, ever-changing issues: food security, ecological intensification, emerging diseases, and the future of agriculture in developing countries. CIRAD has a global network of partners and of 12 regional offices, from which it conducts joint operations with more than 90 countries. Its bilateral partnerships fit in with multilateral operations of regional interest. In metropolitan France, it provides the national and global scientific communities with extensive research and training facilities, primarily in Montpellier, South of France. CIRAD in figures A staff of 1 800, including 8000 researchers Joint operations with more than 90 countries 3 scientific departments: Biological Systems (BIOS), Performance of Tropical Production and Processing Systems (PERSYST), and Environment and Societies (ES) 37 Research Units 12 Regional Offices in metropolitan France, the French overseas regions and other countries 700 staff members based outside metropolitan France in 40 countries Around 30 collective research tools accessible to partners from developing countries Almost 5 million spent on PhD courses, 800 researchers and technicians from all over the world received and trained each year A budget of 214 million in regional offices in the French overseas regions and abroad 2

3 3 CIRAD structure enables to offer an action-oriented approach to meet any demand A complete multi-scale research package, from the laboratory to the production environment To breed, adapt and disseminate improved varieties, control pests and diseases, develop crop management sequences, tools and procedures for the agrifood sector and study interaction between the people, agriculture, market and the environment, etc. Consultancy services & Technical assistance CIRAD offers a wide range of expert services for tropical agriculture sub sectors: scientific & technical bases for decision-making, appraisals, economic studies, prospective analyses, soil, plant and product analyses, information and communication, quarantine services, etc. Technology transfer Technical assistance to enhance field transfer of technological innovations, in collaboration with private enterprise and NGO. Training and institutional assistance Traineeships, tailor-made professional training and graduate training Project design, management & evaluation For research and development projects worldwide Sales of CIRAD products Plants, veterinary products, biological analyses, equipment, processes, software 3

4 4 The CIRAD s Hevea expertise The issues Hevea brasiliensis is the world s main source of natural rubber, and is a vital importance for many tropical countries. With some 10 million tons annually produced on 10 million hectares managed by millions of smallholders and agro-industries, it provides 44% of the global production of elastomers from which 80% is used for the car industry. Its rapid expansion is raising new issues for research, in the field of agro-ecology, biodiversity management, and human sciences. The CIRAD s Hevea expertise relies on over fifty years experience of research aimed at: Breeding and selecting rubber tree for the future, both high-yielding and resistant to the main diseases. Understanding and modeling rubber tree physiology functioning, to anticipate on the impacts of climate change. Studying the environmental and social impact of extending or renewing plantations. Intensifying production systems through rational plantation management centering on the use of agro-environmental indicators. Optimizing rubber postharvest processing. CIRAD s role in the research on rubber tree: Increasing the added value of rubber growing, using planting material suited for variable growing conditions, appropriate crop management sequences, and territory management. Adapting rubber growing to future climate change, particularly abiotic stress. Proposing disease control methods, particularly against the fungus Microcyclus ulei (South American Leaf Blight), as well as for other leaf, panel and root diseases. Implementing ecological intensification of rubber growing, i.e. improving productivity while protecting the environment. Determining the qualities of natural rubber suited to different uses (tires, industrial rubber, health, aeronautics). Our expertise in the rubber sector: Agronomy, eco-physiology, genetics, cellular and molecular biology, plant pathology, socio-economics, and post harvest technology. Soil conditions and topography, climatic conditions, Land clearing, soil preparation, planting techniques, density and layout, Preparation of planting material: grafting, management of rubber budwood gardens and nurseries, Clone recommendations adapted to climatic conditions and economic objectives of the plantations, Clonal conformity analysis and certification by the use of molecular markers, Field upkeep standards, Intercropping, Fertilizer policy and monitoring, Soil and leaf analysis, Pest and diseases control, Improvement and management of the latex harvesting systems both in smallholdings and in agro-industrial estates by the use of Latex Diagnosis (LD) for optimization of the productivity in rubber plantations (see details hereafter), Latex harvesting systems and tapping panel management recommendations Assessment of balance and carbon flux at the scale of the plantation ecosystem, Socio-economic analysis, 4

5 5 Micro-propagation: cloning of whole plants and rootstocks, Standardization and certification of natural rubber, manufacturing processes, analysis of the structure and quality of natural rubber (see details hereafter), Analysis of the expression of mrna (transcriptone). 5

6 Optimizing productivity in rubber plantations 6 Latex diagnosis, a rubber tree management tool In rubber growing, latex production is governed by bark incision, called tapping. Rubber yield depends on the balance between flow duration and latex regenerating ability between two consecutive tapping operations. In the event of overtapping or undertapping, rubber production declines as latex flow and regeneration are affected. Latex diagnosis is the only tool that enables rational exploitation of rubber trees for sustainably improved productivity in a given socio-economic context. Exploiting rubber trees for maximum, sustainable profitability Latex diagnosis, developed by CIRAD, describes the physiological status of trees on the scale of each cropping unit in a plantation. Biochemical analyses are carried out and the results are interpreted to establish a latex cell balance, in order to adapt plantation management accordingly each year. Sustainable management is guaranteed and tapping profitability is maximized. Several agroindustrial companies are already using this tool with success. J.M. Eschbach Photo 1. Latex diagnosis: sampling in a tapped plot. For further information Eric Gohet CIRAD TA 80 / Montpellier Cedex 5 eric.gohet@cirad.fr Tel : +33 (0) Fax: +33 (0) Régis Lacote CIRAD TA 80 / Montpellier Cedex 5 regis.lacote@cirad.fr Tel: +33 (0) , extension 5439 Fax: +33 (0) CIRAD provides expertise and technical assistance to optimize production. The expertise includes: - setting in place a latex analysis tool, - an agrophysiological assessment of the plantation, - recommendations for tree tapping. The technical assistance provides: - the design of a plantation sampling system, - the installation of a laboratory, - training for staff in sampling, analysis and interpretation techniques. Latex diagnosis is an efficient tool for: - optimizing tree exploitation and plantation productivity, - increasing financial margins, - improving the sustainability of plantations. Using this tool makes for efficiently managed rubber tree exploitation. French Agricultural Centre for International Development Tree Crops department Bd de la Lironde, TA 80 / PS3, Montpellier Cedex 6 5, France

7 7 Why use latex diagnosis? In studies spanning thirty years, CIRAD has cumulated reference values for biochemical parameters describing the physiological status of the natural rubber production system. The four most relevant parameters have been adopted: - dry rubber content, which reflects the biosynthesis activity of the laticifer system and the rubber content, - sucrose content, sucrose being a precursor of isoprene synthesis, - inorganic phosphorus content, which is linked to the biochemical energy available in cells for such synthesis, - the proportion of thiols, which are antioxidants that guarantee the stability of latex and of its flow. By analysing these parameters, combined with agronomic information characterizing the plantation, the phytosanitary condition of the trees can be ascertained. The suitability of the tapping systems introduced will thus be determined. Where necessary, they will be improved. Biochemical analysis Quantification of sucrose, inorganic phosphorus and thiols is carried out by colorimetry. The laboratory equipment is therefore relatively simple: glassware, balance, water-bath, spectrophotometer (photo 3). j.m. Eschbach Photo 3. Biochemical analysis of latex samples. Carrying out latex diagnosis The operation takes place in 3 phases. Latex sampling Latex samples are taken from several dozen trees inside a block that is representative of a clone and a given exploitation system. Prior to tapping, a few drops of latex are sampled via a puncture near the tapping panel. After mixing and homogenization, the latex is coagulated and the filtered serum is kept in a cool place (photo 2). Data interpretation This is based on reference values obtained locally and takes into account cultural practices applied in the plot. The physiological status of the trees can be determined by an examination of measured values combined with observed production data (photo 4). R. Lacote A. Leconte Photo 4. Analysis of latex diagnosis results. Photo 2. Sampling a few drops of latex for analysis. CIRAD

8 Characterizing natural rubber variability 8 Quality control, an efficient tool Due to its biological origin, natural rubber has more variable characteristics than its synthetic rivals. The variability is particularly linked to highly diversified production conditions. To compensate for that handicap, producing countries reacted in the 1960s by introducing a means of measuring variability, in the form of technical specifications. Different grades of natural rubber have been launched on the market. Measurement of the physico-chemical criteria on which they are based requires strict control to satisfy customer demands. Assisting you in your quality approach Measurement of these criteria is checked by national quality control laboratories, involving skills in physics, chemistry, metrology and statistics. The use of precise measuring instruments and the need for reliable results call for ISO 9001, or ISO 17025, type quality management. CIRAD has more than 25 years' experience in natural rubber quality control throughout the world. Our ISO 9001 certified laboratory is the reference in France through its IRA (International Rubber Association) accreditation. It is an independent public laboratory with a European vocation which can step in and carry out analyses whenever disagreements arise between clients, producers and traders. CIRAD analysis laboratory in Montpellier. L.???? Vaysse For further information Jérôme Sainte Beuve CIRAD TA 80 / PS Montpellier Cedex 5 jerome.sainte-beuve@cirad.fr Tel.: +33 (0) Fax: +33 (0) Frédéric Bonfils CIRAD TA 80 / Montpellier Cedex 5 frederic.bonfils@cirad.fr Tel.: +33 (0) Fax: +33 (0) To improve the quality approach of your laboratory, CIRAD proposes its services for quality analysis of natural rubber, a raw material used in the manufacture of your end-products. CIRAD can step in at all stages of quality control: laboratory installation, choice of equipment, training, management (maintenance, control charts), implementation of a quality plan, and help in achieving the accreditation of your laboratory. Would you like a quality audit in your supplier's laboratory? CIRAD can assist you or carry out the audit. French Agricultural Centre for International Development Tree Crops department Bd de la Lironde, TA 80 / PS3, Montpellier Cedex 5, France 8

9 9 The main criteria measured Four types of quality criteria are used: - a physical criterion, dirt content, - chemical criteria very generally providing information about "non-rubber" elements (volatile matter, nitrogen, ash), - rheological criteria, such as Wallace plasticity and Mooney viscosity, - a plasticity retention index indicating susceptibility to thermo-oxidation. Standards sometimes describe more specific criteria, such as the accelerated storage hardening test (ASHT), or vulcanization characteristics. L.Vaysse The main standards used Several standards are used to specify natural rubber in compacted crumb form (TSR); of the most important, worth mentioning are: - ISO 2000: International Organization for Standardization, the international standard, - SMR: Standard Malaysian Rubber, a Malaysian standard that fixed the rules in the 1960s, - ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials, a standard originating from the USA and very similar to the international standard. These standards, which differ in their contents, may lead to significant differences in the values found for the measured criteria. Other national standards have been introduced by the other major producing countries. Standards define the procedures for analysing quality criteria and the threshold values determining rubber grades. Standards serve as a methodological guide for measuring quality criteria, but do not provide any notion of good laboratory practices, such as for equipment calibration. Setting in place a quality management system in the laboratory (e.g. interlaboratory cross-checking) is therefore strongly recommended. Rubber bales ready for shipment. Cup lump coagulum before processing. L. Vaysse 40 39, ,5 P0 (1/100 mm) 38 37, , ,5 35 December Décembre September Septembre 2002 May Mai 2005 Butyl valeur value du butyl moyenne mean moyenne mean +/- 2 +/- standard 2 écart deviation type Example of plastimeter calibration monitoring. CIRAD

10 10 Main worldwide partners International & National Research Organizations International Rubber Research Development Board (IRRDB) Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA), Côte d Ivoire Institut de Recherches Agronomique pour le Développement (IRAD), Cameroon University of Ghana Rubber Research Institute of Thailand (RRIT), Thailand Hevea Research Platform in Partnership (HRPP), Thailand Cambodian Rubber Research Institute (CRRI), Cambodia Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS), China Yunnan Institute of Tropical Crops (YITC), China Instituto Nacional Autónomo de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIAP), Ecuador Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa), Brazil Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana (IIAP), Peru Agribusiness and Development Organizations in Africa, South East Asia, & Latin America Société Africaine des Plantations d'hévéa (SAPH), Côte d Ivoire Société de Caoutchouc de Grand-Béréby (SoGB), Côte d Ivoire Compagnie Hévéïcole de Cavally (CHC), Côte d Ivoire Société Hévéïcole de la plaine du Gô (HEVEGO), Côte d Ivoire Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL), Ghana Rubber Estates Nigeria Limited (RENL), Nigeria Liberian Agricultural Company (LAC), Liberia Salala Rubber Corporation, Liberia Groupe Blattner Elwyn (GBE), Democratic Republic of Congo Société d Investissement pour l Agriculture Tropicale (SIAT), Gabon PT Bakrie Sumatera Plantations (Bakrie), Indonesia Socfindo, Indonesia Michelin, Brazil Gremial de Huleros de Guatemala (Gremial), Guatemala Industrial Agraria la Palma (Indupalma), Colombia Asociacion Nacional de Cauchicultores Hevea (ASONHEV), Ecuador Nature and possible fields of cooperation with CIRAD In answer to its partner s needs and requests, CIRAD can provide: Technical assistance for strengthening R&D skills and transfer of know-how, Training of its partner s scientific and technical staff in innovative methods and processes. CIRAD can also be a partner in research: Working in collaboration to build up an expertise in emerging agronomic and environmental issues, Having its partners benefit from a high level of scientific connection in Europe to address scientific issues, Promoting high level scientific and technical joint publications in international journals. CIRAD ensures that the latest results and developments obtained in the experimental networks it is involved in benefits to all of his partners. 10

11 11 CIRAD exercises total discretion with respect to its partners, including any agronomic or scientific information that may be forwarded to it and are necessary for the implementation of the collaboration. Implementation of the partnership: through short-term missions or long-term assignment of senior agronomists, or other experts on request. Funding for the collaboration program Payment of a fixed global amount for the expert fees, Air plane ticket and preparation expenses (visas, taxis ) reimbursed on presentation of receipts, Domestic travels and board and lodgings for the expert are directly taken in charge by the client. Depending on the importance and scope of the collaboration, an incentive can be also charged by CIRAD, consisting of a fee for each rubber hectare owned by the partner, calculated on the basis of: o a rate/ha of immature rubber trees o a rate/ha of mature rubber trees. Your contact Dr. Eric GOHET Director of the Research Unit "Performance of tree crop-based systems" TA B-34 / 02 Avenue Agropolis Montpellier Cedex 5 France Phone: Assistant: Fax: chefur.systemes-de-perennes@cirad.fr 11