I am a geneticist ± entomologist. I study plant mating systems, pollinator ecology, and plant-pollinator interactions.
I am interested in trees in natural forests, but also in various crops cultivated for fruit production, such as chestnut and blueberry.
I use field observations, experiments, molecular analyses, and statistical models to study pollination. My research includes the study of the origin of gynodioecy, sexual interference in plants, the evolutionary advantage of duodichogamous species, pollination efficiency, and the design of highly productive, environmentally friendly orchards.
For more information, feel free to browse around or contact me via
clement.larue@ufl.edu.
Estimating pollination success is essential when studying plant reproduction. To calculate this fruit set, i.e. the percentage of flowers that give fruit, we need to count the number of flowers in spring, and the number of fruits produced at harvest time.
Experience
Below are my positions ever since obtaining my PhD.
During my second postdoc, I work on blueberry pollination in Florida. I study the effect of (I) the diversity of pollinating insects and the frequency of their visits to flowers on pollination success, (II) the diversity and spatial distribution of cultivars on fruit production, and (III) pollen exchanges in blueberry fields using paternity analyses.
The diversity of pollinators and the frequency of their visits to female flowers have a major impact on blueberry production.
During my first postdoc, I worked on chestnut pollination in south-west France. I (I) identified effective insect pollinators of chestnut, (II) studied the effect of orchard structure and composition on tree pollination success, and (III) estimated the quality of the pollination service in production orchards.
Chestnut pollination has long remained a mystery. Without wild pollinating insects, and without diversified cultivars, chestnut production will be very low.
2022 – 2023
Education
PhD in Evolutionary, Functional and Community Ecology
M2 Internship: Diversité et structure génétique spatiale d’une population de tilleuls : identification des espèces et des clones
at Biogeco, supervised by
Rémy Petit and
Alexis Ducousso.
M1 Internship: Les indices calculés à partir des données cynégétiques peuvent-ils être utiles à la gestion du lièvre d’Europe ?
at Office national de la chasse et de la faune sauvage, supervised by Bernard Mauvy and
Jean-Sébastien Guitton.
Internship: Étude d’une plante emblématique des Pyrénées en voie de disparition, Subularia aquatica : détermination de son régime de reproduction
at EDB, supervised by
Monique Burrus and
Nathalie Escaravage.
2012 - 2015
Doctoral thesis graduation ceremony. I am third from the right.
Sixty Years from the First Disease Description, a Novel Badnavirus Associated with Chestnut Mosaic Disease
A. Marais, S. Murolo, C. Faure, Y. Brans, C. Larue, F. Maclot, S. Massart, M. Chiumenti, A. Minafra, G. Romanazzi, M. Lefebvre, T. Barreneche, C. Robin, R. Petit and T. Candresse
The male fertility of plants is highly variable. The quantity of pollen produced is more or less important, and some individuals no longer produce pollen anymore. In orchards, we need to be sure that the quantity and quality of pollen is sufficient, and that it is produced at the right time: i.e. when the female flowers of other individuals are receptive.
Talks
From pollination to seed production: What does paternity analysis provide?
Steinmetz Hall - University of Florida, Gainesville, United States of America
It is important to study the diversity of pollinating insects, i.e. insects that visit both male and female flowers. Chestnut trees are pollinated by Diptera and Coleoptera, but which species are the most efficient? To answer this question, it is crucial to characterize their pollen loads.
Large quantities of fruit are collected to study the determinants of pollination success. These fruits are then characterized (weight, sugar content, etc...) to study the effect of pollen on fruit quality.
Software development
Monte Carlo estimation and exact computation of overlapping canopied areas
C. Larue, J. Schoeters
Java program computing canopied areas covered by given buffer zone
Available on Github here
Visualization using JBotSim of the Monte Carlo method shown here
2021
Automatic analysis of large DNA genotyping data
C. Larue, J. Schoeters
Java program analyzing Excel DNA data files for potential mismatches of parent/child associations
Available on Github here
2020
DNA is isolated from each harvested seed to perform thousands of paternity analyses, and statistical models are used to study compatibility between trees. These analyses enable us to study pollen dispersal distance, barriers to hybridization, or the effect of pollen production capacity on the number of seeds produced.
I am constantly striving to improve the quality of my work, in the hope of achieving perfection. In 2023, I was awarded the Dufrenoy silver medal for the best thesis in plant production. This medal rewards me for my dedicated work.
Teaching
Here are the reports of the various students I have supervised, as well as publications addressed to fruit growers.
Students
2023
La pollinisation imprécise mais efficace du châtaignier
T. Renard
M1 BSA, Bordeaux
2022
La pollinisation imprécise mais efficace du châtaignier
Here are some of my students. I love training students. They gave me invaluable help, and I hope I was a good teacher. Some of them are now doing their PhD thesis, I am proud of them.
Fruit growers
Blueberries
Mixed cultivar plantings for cross-pollination in blueberry: benefits and guide to maximize yields
C. Larue, S. Chabert, D. Phillips, and R. Mallinger
UF/IFAS Extension
[Not available yet]
Chestnuts
Biologie de la reproduction du châtaignier et conception des vergers
These major symposia are an opportunity to meet researchers as wall as fruit growers. I enjoy working with these growers, and for these growers. I try to publish popularized articles, to apply the latest findings in fields and orchards.
Other
This section contains other useful information about my involvement in the world of science, or about my passions..
Reviews
I enjoy reviewing scientific articles, as it helps me to keep abreast of the latest findings and innovations in my research areas. Below is a collection of journals I agreed to review for.
I am passionate about nature photography. I started by photographing birds and game species in the French forests. Then I developed my skills in macro photography and in UVIF photography, to see what is invisible to our eyes, but visible to insects.
I use Fujifilm equipment, Fuji X-H2 and Fuji X-H2s APS-C hybrid cameras, and mainly XF 80mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro and XF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR lenses.
I develop my pictures with Capture One software.
Free time
My new moto is "Mens sana in corpore sano". Even though I spend a lot of time in the lab, I do triathlons (Ironman 70.3 fan), and I take the time to cook healthy meals.
I also do competition pistol shooting, despite the noise and the flame, shooting is mathematics! When I am not outside (which is rare), I love to read science fiction and fantasy books, or I am in my workshop bulding "things", I like manual work!
Here are some of my photos, showing an Eurasian jay (top left), a Great tit (top right), a Marsh tit (bottom left) and a Eurasion blue tit (bottom right).
