TY - JOUR T1 - A Practical Method of Staging Grapevine Inflorescence Primordia with Improved Description of Stages in Season One JF - American Journal of Enology and Viticulture JO - Am. J. Enol. Vitic. DO - 10.5344/ajev.2015.14135 SP - ajev.2015.14135 AU - Peter W. Noyce AU - John D.I. Harper AU - Christopher C. Steel AU - Robyn M. Wood Y1 - 2015/08/06 UR - http://www.ajevonline.org/content/early/2015/08/04/ajev.2015.14135.abstract N2 - The scanning electron microscope (SEM) has been the only method previously reported in the literature to describe the stages of development of the inflorescence primordia (IP) in grapevine compound latent buds. Such a method presents limitations which are addressed in this paper. An alternative more practical technique was proposed, using a dissecting light microscope to readily identify IP stages and record identifiable stereo photographs by digital fusion of single images taken at many sequential focusing planes. Using this technique, the individual developmental stages of IP in the primary latent bud during Season 1 in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay were examined, by dissecting compound latent buds at monthly intervals. The results confirmed this methodology appeared to be an easier, quicker, and likely less damaging method to stage IP, compared to SEM preparation and imaging. The study also described a guide for dissection of compound latent buds, more detailed descriptions of IP stages 0 to 4 and individual descriptions of IP stages 5, 6, and 7, which were not available previously. Basic grapevine physiology knowledge is advanced and future research involving the compound latent bud enhanced. ER -