A graphic reconstruction method of an average vine leaf

The description of vine varieties has been under consideration for many yea rs. A parameter description enabling the best variety characterisation has been improved over the years. However, even though some results have been a chieved, no method enables a rapid and clear visualisation of the leaf morp hology of any vine variety. Here, we present an average leaf reconstitution method from measures carried out on a sample representative of the variety . On leaves divided into sectors, we measured the fundamental parameter of the angles and length as well as notations on the qualitative character. Th ese measures are: tooth number and shape, sinus morphology and vein arrange ment. Using this information, we established a method which allows step by step average leaf reconstitution. Of course, this method could be improved; nevertheless, it is a tool easy to obtain and to use by experimenters wish ing to compare their statistical results with an accurate synthetic represe ntation. The validity of our proposal is proven with the graphic representa tion of the average leaf of eight very well-known worldwide varieties, such as Cabernet-Sauvignon, Alicante Bouschet, Jerez, Muscat a petits grains an d Chasselas Cioutat, and other very important varieties in the north-west o f Spain and north of Portugal, such as the Albarino, Godello anti Loureira varieties. In addition, data collected using this means could be the basis of computerisation of the method. ((C) Inra/Elsevier, Paris.).