T . G . / The design of so - called ‘ smart ’

fertilisers is central to the work we do .

This research is based on the natural

principle that plant roots secrete

compounds that communicate their

nutritional needs So we want to develop

fertilisers that can react to these signals

and provide plants with the nutrients

they are ready and able to assimilate

and no others This approach would make it

possible to limit excess nutrients in the soil

which can cause crop diseases or have

a negative impact on the environment

J M G M The ultimate aim of this

approach is to meet societal demand

for basic foodstuffs which aligns perfectly

What are the main

focuses for your

work ?

with the University of Navarra ’ s strategy

of focusing on sustainable development

and protecting people and the environment .

We want to use excellence in research

to have a positive social impact

and take sustainable development

to the next level with particular attention

paid to the environment and biodiversity

to ensure that science really does serve

society In conjunction with Groupe

Roullier we re working jointly on the

emergence of new generation solutions

that combine agronomic performance

with environmental safety and sustainable

resource management

Thomas Georgelin

and José María García - Mina

“ The close partnership

we ’ ve built up over time

with Groupe Roullier

has genuinely become

a cornerstone for innovation

in agronomy . ”

— José María García - Mina ,

Professor at the University of Navarra and

Director of the Industrial Research Chair

at the University of Navarra - TIMAC AGRO

Spain - CMI Roullier

T . G . / For more than a decade now , our

teams have been combining their expertise

on projects that have set new standards in

plant nutrition . Our collaboration creates

both a virtuous circle and an inspiring

model for the future in which science

feeds innovation , innovation responds to

agricultural challenges , and the end results

are integral to a process of sustainable

environmental responsibility . I ’ d also add

that the close relationship between TIMAC

AGRO and Spanish farmers gives us the

opportunity to test these solutions at pace

under real - world conditions .

J . M . G . - M . / It ’ s important to understand

that pure and applied research

What does this

alliance between

an academic

institution and

an industrial

company actually

contribute in

practical terms ?

complement each other . Programmes

run jointly by universities and companies

are perhaps the clearest demonstration

of this interactive relationship . The close

partnership we ’ ve built up over time

with Groupe Roullier has genuinely

become a cornerstone for innovation in

agronomy . Our counterparts contribute

their innovation skills , experimental

platforms and direct links with international

agricultural realities , and we contribute

our scientif ic skills and advanced research

infrastructures . This synergy is key to being

able to carry out wide - ranging projects

of the kind we ’ re involved in .

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