[Portrait] Laurent Legendre, Professor of Plant Physiology (Avignon University & PSH Unit, INRAE)

What is your research about?

My research aims to increase the efficiency of water, nitrogenous fertilisers, minerals and synthetic pesticides used on vegetable and fruit crops. I am currently working on the introduction in mainland France of a crop that is naturally better adapted to the new climatic conditions, while at the same time having multiple uses and health benefits (sweet potato and other tropical tuberous plants).

I'm also analysing the performance of plants fed with more organic matter (compost, green manures, crop combinations) as part of conservation agriculture.

Laurent Legendre - Professor of plant physiology

What are your current scientific activities?

I have published over 80 scientific articles in international peer-reviewed journals and contributed to the writing of four books, including two for the general public.

Why did you choose to work in academic research?

My inclination towards research stems from a desire to acquire, and to create through experience, knowledge that enhances the coherence of current knowledge. My curiosity is mainly focused on the development and functioning of plants in relation to societal issues of nutrition, health and ecology. The notion of coherence between knowledge also structures my teaching, an activity that interests me just as much as research, because knowledge is sought by all human beings and because only extensive and shared knowledge becomes useful and justifies the efforts to acquire it.

What advice would you give to students who want to do research?

Work persistently on what they are passionate about, while adopting Cartesian doubt in a constant search for the truth.

What object or image from your business best illustrates you?

These photos show the analysis of an innovative agro-ecological cropping system as part of an ANR-funded project called AZODURE.

Analysis of an innovative agroecological cropping system as part of an ANR-funded project: AZODURE

UR INRAe 1115 PSH (Horticultural Plants and Cropping Systems)

Laurent Legendre is a Professor at Avignon University and carries out his research in the PSH unit.

The PSH unit is located at the heart of the horticultural production zone in the south-east of France. Its mission is to use ecophysiological and agroecological approaches to help develop fruit and vegetable growing systems and landscape scenarios in the Mediterranean area, in order to improve the quality of the produce harvested and respect for the environment.

The PSH unit's research work is part of the INRAE PACA centre's 'Integrated Horticultural Production' research unit.