For decades, plant breeders relied on observation, experience, and a sharp eye in the field. In recent years, things have shifted. At Limagrain, researchers no longer simply watch plants grow — they listen to them.
Through vast volumes of data captured from genetics, field trials, and environmental conditions, plants can now “speak” in ways that help scientists understand them with greater precision than ever before.
And yet, despite the rise of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive modeling, the mission hasn’t changed: we must develop better, more resilient varieties for farmers. If anything, the connection between researchers and the field has deepened. Data has become a tool for clarity — not complexity.
“Today, we use digital phenotyping, genomic selection, and environmental modeling to understand how a variety will perform before it’s even planted,” explains Cédric Loi, a data analysis expert at Limagrain. “This allows us to guide breeders’ choices with much greater accuracy.”
Tools like GeoStar — an initiative developed to map and model environmental data — help align varietal recommendations with real-world growing conditions. The result: farmers receive seed options that are more tailored, more reliable, and more likely to succeed in their specific environments.
At the core of this transformation is teamwork. Limagrain’s teams now include data scientists, statisticians, AI specialists, and software developers, all of whom work closely with agronomists and breeders. Their job isn’t to replace traditional expertise, but rather to strengthen it.
“We’re not building tech for tech’s sake,” says Loi. “We’re focused on building tools that make the breeder’s job easier and the farmer’s decisions smarter.”
This evolution has redefined the role of the researcher. Today’s plant scientists must be fluent in both biology and data, and they must be capable of translating complex signals into actionable insights. In other words, scientists have become a bridge between the silent language of the plant and the everyday challenges of farming.
As Limagrain moves forward, the guiding principle remains simple: listen better, understand more, and deliver varieties that perform — not just in trials — but also in real-world fields.
Giving plants a voice isn’t about replacing human intuition. It’s about amplifying it with science to best serve the people who grow the world’s food.
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