AMPELOMETRIC STUDY OF ADULT LEAVES FROM S OMACLONES OF THE GRENACHE-NGRAPEVINE (VITIS-VINIFERA L)

To obtain a broader Variability of the Grenache N grapevine, somaclone s were produced from anther calli and placed in two different environm ents: a poor sandy soil (Espiguette) and a richer silty clay soil (Cha pitre). To evaluate the observed variations at the foliage level, an a mpelometric study was conducted over three consecutive years. Various biometrical analyses revealed that (i) leaf size varies in relationshi p with the environment: in the poor soil, leaves are smaller than in t he rich soil for the control clone as well as the somaclones; (ii) wha tever the environment, indentation is deeper in somaclone leaves than in control leaves, even 10 years after outplanting; (iii) some somaclo nes with deeply or barely indented leaves have a more stable behaviour , while others have a leaf morphology changing with the year and the e nvironment; (iv) leaf indentation parameters defined by the authors al low for a fairly good characterization among somaclones and control: i ndentation index X5, (S1 + S2)/(L + L1), appears to have the highest d iscrimination potential; vein length and angle parameters do not allow for discrimination. Representation of the somaclones based on a ''the oretical leaf'', obtained from the different measurements, gives inter esting supplementary information for the interpretation of the results . Principal component analysis leads to more information on the parame ters as well as on individuals. This method was therefore retained for further analyses. In conclusion, this study shows that before commerc ial introduction of a somaclone, one must ensure that the morphology a lways corresponds to the grapevine type.