We're working on AI models for outlier detection, phenotype prediction, and integrating environmental data like weather or soil conditions. It's still early days, but the potential is huge. We believe AI should assist breeders, not replace them.
History of Plant Breeding Software
Q&A with Louis Gauthier | Doriane
Louis, Doriane is celebrating 40 years. How would you describe the company’s evolution since 1984?
It’s been quite the journey — from floppy disks and microcomputers to predictive analytics and cloud-based collaboration! What’s stayed constant is our purpose: helping agricultural researchers get the best out of their data. We've grown alongside the seed industry, always working hand-in-hand with breeders. That’s how we’ve kept our tools practical and our customers satisfied. Every version of our software, from AgroEx to Bloomeo, has been built with their feedback. That’s not just a motto — it’s how we work.
What makes this anniversary particularly meaningful for your team and partners?
For us, it’s much more than a company milestone — it’s a shared celebration with our users. Partners like MAY Seed and RAGT have grown with us, and that long-term trust is something we’re incredibly proud of. Our team is now younger than the company itself! But even as we bring in new talent and tech, we keep that strong foundation of service and stability. Bloomeo may be the new face of Doriane, but it carries 40 years of insight and experience into the future.
Let’s talk about Bloomeo. What inspired this next-generation platform?
We saw a gap. Research teams were juggling too many tools that didn’t talk to each other. So we built Bloomeo to centralise everything — it’s cloud-native, mobile-friendly, and flexible for everything from field trials to marketing data. The idea was to break silos and bring agronomy, breeding, and biology into one system. And it’s working: Vilmorin-Mikado, CTIFL, and Axioma Biologicals are already using Bloomeo to streamline their workflows and make faster decisions.
The upcoming Plant Breeding module sounds like a major leap forward. Can you give us a preview?
Definitely. The Plant Breeding module will offer tools for managing crosses, nursery activities, selections, and integrating molecular data — all in one place. What sets it apart is the seamless combination of phenotypic, genotypic, and environmental data. We’re also pushing hard on user experience and AI-powered recommendations. Compared to Genovix, Phenome, or e-Brida, it’s more flexible, easier to customise, and built to scale across global teams. It’s not just an update — it’s a rethink.
You mentioned AI — how is this technology changing the way breeders work?
AI is giving breeders a head start. Instead of waiting for harvest to analyse performance, they can predict how a hybrid will behave in a specific environment before planting. We're working on AI models for outlier detection, phenotype prediction, and integrating environmental data like weather or soil conditions. It's still early days, but the potential is huge. And we always involve users in the loop — we believe AI should assist breeders, not replace them.
Do you have a message for the agtech and seed innovation community?
Yes — stop patching together half-solutions. Your data is too valuable to leave in silos. With the right tools, you can make decisions faster, improve variety performance, and adapt quicker to change. Our mission at Doriane is to give you those tools — built with your needs, backed by your data, and ready for the future.
Louis Gauthier took over Doriane with Marine Gauthier in July 2022. He serves now as a co-managing director of Doriane.
Doriane is one of the worldwide leading software for research and experimentation in agronomy. Doriane serves the actors of innovations in the sector: seed companies, food brands, technical institutes, biosolution producers and cooperatives.
Key value of Doriane is to be able to collect, organize and valorize data from the field.
Louis has a background in software management and digital transformation.
Louis is particularly involved in the biocontrol and biostimulant industry. Louis is part of the board of the French “association biocontrôle et biostimulation pour l’agroécologie”, a non-profit organization with more 130 members from all the value chain to foster the deployment of biosolutions. Louis is also in charge of the Intelligent Green Symbiosa project, which aims is to give farmers clear insights and the conditions of success of bioproducts
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AgriTechTomorrow
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