Objectives and partners

The Pl@ntGrape project is one of the many case studies of the Pl@ntNet platform initiated in October 2009 by the Agropolis Foundation (consortium agreement between the CIRAD, INRA, INRIA and IRD) to support agronomy research and sustainable development. This project is carried out by the Unité Mixte Technologique Géno-Vigne®, in partnership with UMR AMAP of Montpellier. As such, it associates the expertise of the IFV, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, IRD, INRIA, CNRS and the CIRAD on the subject of genetic resources of vines and new information technologies.

The first objective of Pl@ntGrape is to draw up validated and updated summary information, available on the varieties and the vine clones grown in France, throughout Europe and the world. This is aimed for anyone wanting information on vine varieties: vine-growers, nursery growers, technicians, researchers, students, wine connoisseurs, etc.

The starting point of the internet site is the second edition of the "Catalogue des Variétés et clones de vigne cultivés en France" (Catalogue of Vine Varieties and Clones grown in France) published in 2007 (IFV publishers). Additional information and new varietal and clone sheets have been added, following registration updates and authorizations given by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Pl@ntGrape likewise proposes a vine variety morphology recognition intuitive tool. This varietal identification assistance is entirely visual and requires no a priori “ampelographic” knowledge. The users, by simply selecting identification characteristics drawing, draw up a composite drawing of the sought vine variety.The corresponding number and list of varieties are updated with each new characteristic used, thus facilitating the identification procedure. The work carried out is based on identifying all the vine varieties referenced in the official catalogue using a spefically designed software tool; IDAO

	Institut National de Recherche Agronomique (National Institute for Agronomy Research) The INRA center of Montpellier carries out research on vines and wine in three fields of activity: agriculture, food and the environment. The wide spectrum of themes spans from the genes to the viticulture region. Research on the genetic resources of vine themes involves two units: the "Diversity and Adaptation of Vines and Mediterranean Species" team from UMR AGAP and the Experimental Unit of Domaine de Vassal which houses the main ampelographic collection of the Institute at Marseillan-Plage.
	French Vine and Wine Institute The IFV, through the intermediary of the National Plant Material Pole located in the Grau du Roi (30) in Southern France is a vine selection establishment. It coordinates clonal selection and conservation actions carried out throughout the country based on the close collaboration between vine selection partners in France. The National Plant Material Pole likewise ensures the conservation of 326 vine varieties at the Domaine de l'Espiguette which are inscribed in the official catalogue along with 1163 approved clones.
	Montpellier SupAgro Montpellier SupAgro, Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques (International Centerfor Higher Studies in Agronomy), is a higher education institution and of research placed under the authority of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing. The Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Vigne et du Vin (IHEV) (Institute of Higher Studies in Vine and Wine) includes all the training programs proposed in the vine and wine field and particularly the agronomy specialization of Viticulture-Oenology. The IHEV is the permanent link between training, research and professionals of the vitiviniculture sector.
	UMT Geno Vigne L’unité mixte technologique Géno-Vigne®, (Géno-Vigne®, mixed technological unit) labelled as such in August 2008, associates the IFV, INRA and Montpellier SupAgro. The objective of Géno-Vigne® is to optimize the management, the conservation, the characterization and the recognition of vine genetic resources for the vitiviniculture sector. INRA at Domaine de Vassal and the IFV at the Domaine in Espiguette collections constitute a unique worldwide base for different research and development projects including training and communication works.
	Selection partners These are regional selection actors made up of chambers of agriculture, interprofessions, associations or from Sicarex, totalling 33, divided thoughout all the vineyard areas. They are directly implicated in clonal selection and the conservation of inter or intra varietal diversity. They play a vital role in the maintaining and the recognition of our viticulture heritage. Thanks to their collaboration, the rarest varieties are safeguarded.
	Projet Pl@ntNet Pl@ntNet is an initiative promoted by three complementary skilled teams: UMR Amap, INRIA Rocquencourt team project, the Tela Botanica Association along with a large range of partnerships including international organizations. The project’s objective are (i) to develop research on the borderlines between integrative systematics and computer science (ii) to promote the use of under exploited sources of data on plants (iii) to promote citizen science as an important means to enrich information on geographic distribution, ecology and the use of plants.
	Agropolis Foundation The Agropolis foundation was founded in 2007 with the objective of supporting and promoting the development of projects on an international scope (reserach and training programs) in agronomy and sustainable development while focusing on issues facing the North as well as the South. This foundation supports research projects, positions and stays for doctoral scientists, pre and post docs or for experienced researchers.(junior or senior).