NECTAR

The NECTAR project addresses the challenge of improving the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling nectary development, nectar production and secretion, on foraging activity and behavior of bees. To achieve this goal, we propose a multidisciplinary approach that tackles the problem at the population level as well as the organ level. The project is articulated around three scientific axes. The first axis of research is dedicated to phenotypic characterization of a core collection of melon accessions for nectar related traits, predicted to affect foraging activity and behavior of pollinators. Our melon core collection is made of landraces, cultivars and lines previously identified as nectarless. The second axis of research is dedicated to the characterization of the gene networks controlling nectary development and maturation, in relation with nectar production and secretion, in unisexual flowers. This axis will reveal significant overlaps in differential genes and metabolites, in metabolic pathways that play a role in nectar gland development and nectar metabolisms. Through our integrative analysis, of data produced at the population level (first axis of research) and organ level (second axis of research), we anticipate to identify a list of candidate genes controlling nectary development and nectar secretion. The third axis of research is dedicated to the genetic validation of these candidate genes, in relation to foraging activity and behavior of bees. Our challenge is to link the genetic model to nectar-related traits to enhance crop-pollinator interactions. NECTAR is a multidisciplinary project that gathers expertise in omics, genetics, and plant-pollinator interactions.