Proposal of a multi-criteria evaluation in variety testing
The INVITE partner GEVES has studied how to integrate more social and environmental concerns into registration decisions and recommendations.
This has been done through the analysis of multi-criteria approaches, with the aim to propose recommendations toward the definition and validation of a social, environmental and economical index in wheat.
This work has resulted in a non-exhaustive description of the multi-criteria evaluation of wheat varieties in the French registration and recommendation systems and of the work done to integrate more environmental concerns. Such description should be considered as a basis for further discussions.
In France, the evaluation of varieties of wheat is a multi-criteria evaluation system taking into consideration some agronomic, technological and environmental expectations.
Fig: Example of the French VCU quotation system for winter wheat
According to this quotation system, the higher the quality, the lower the yield requirements. It also penalises the registration of susceptible varieties and favours resistant varieties.
Several questions and points to be considered have been identified through the work carried out, and more in-depth discussions between INVITE partners are therefore needed to definite a multi-criteria index with more environmental issues.
In conclusion, it is recommended to set up exchanges between project partners to co-construct a shared vision of how to develop multi-criteria index and evaluation. In a first step, it will be central to determine clearly what is expected from varieties and which traits should be assessed to highlight their potential. Then, methods for developing (a) multi-criteria index(es) could be discussed.
For further information, please contact Marie-Hélène Bernicot and Anne-Sophie Poisson (GEVES)
Marie-Helene.Bernicot@Geves.Fr
The full report about these research activities are available on the website of the European Commission here.