David Cros                                   

Position:

Oil palm geneticist (Montpellier, France, 2020-present)   

Oil palm geneticist (Yaoundé, Cameroun, 2015-2020)   

Oil palm geneticist (Montpellier, France, 2011-2015)  

Oil palm breeder/Geneticist (Pobè, Benin, 2006-2011)          

Researches:

My researches primarily focus on breeding methodologies in order to maximize the genetic gain. I am mostly interested in quantitative genetics, genomics and statistics (including machine learning tools) applied to oil palm and rubber tree breeding. 

News

Presentation at the 4th International Conference of Tropical Plants 2026, Thailand: Genomic Selection: Principles and Example Application in Oil Palm

Enhancing genomic selection in rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis): Exploring the impact of genetic relatedness and QTL integration (March 2025, Industrial Crops and Products)

Optimizing artificial neural network methodologies for enhanced genomic predictions: a case study with oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) data (submitted Jan. 2025, under review)

Mate selection: A useful approach to maximize genetic gain and control inbreeding in genomic and conventional oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) hybrid breeding (Sept 2023, Plos Computational Biology)

I defended my "Habilitation à diriger des recherches" on Dec. 16, 2022 - see the video and the thesis

Publications

See list of main publications on CIRAD website or Google Scholar 

***Reviewing activities: Industrial Crops and Products, Plos One, Molecular Breeding, Journal of Oil Palm Research, etc. 

***PhD studies (2011 - 2014): Factors controling the efficiency of genomic selection in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)

Agricultural production must increase at an unprecedented rate to meet the strong growth expected in food demand. Genomic selection (GS) could contribute to reaching this goal by allowing selection of individuals on their sole genotype, making breeding more efficient. Breeding for yield in oil palm, the first oil crop in the world, is currently based on hybrid production by reciprocal recurrent selection. The integration of GS to this scheme would have major repercussions. My thesis aimed to assess the potential of GS to predict hybrid combining abilities in parental populations (Deli and group B).

[quantitative genetics, computer simulation, oil palm breeding, genomic selection]

In the lab

Artificial pollination in oil palm

Oil palm dry seeds

Website Map:

• Media:

          - PhD thesis (pdf) and PhD defense (video)

          - Powerpoints of conference talks

          - Pictures, posters & animations on oil palm breeding

• Teaching: details about teaching activities (including powerpoints, etc. to download)

• Pobè Oil Palm Research Station (CRAPP, Benin)
• Related books (about oil palm and / or plant breeding)
• Old papers interesting for oil palm breeders but no longer available on the internet

Contact: 

David Cros

CIRAD
Department: Biological Systems
Research unit: AGAP Institut (Genetic improvement and adaptation of mediterranean and tropical plants)
Team: Genome and selection of perennials (GSP) - Co-team Manager
TA A-108/1
34398 Montpellier Cedex 5

http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cros_David

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-cros-a0369552/