
Seed shape is a characteristic of the maternal plant due to seed structure. However, cultivated Vitis is maintained vegetatively, so the shape of the seed remains stable over generations. The lack of cross-pollination keeps a high degree of heterozygosity. As a result, seed shape is a stable property of cultivars. Geometric models may be defined to link seeds with cultivars and confirm pedigrees established by molecular techniques.
Above: Geometric models were created for Hebén, Chenin, and Regina types. The Hebén model is the average silhouette of Hebén seeds harvested in 2020 and 2025. The Chenin model averages the seeds of Chenin and Gewürtztraminer. The Regina model averages Regina dei Vigneti and Muscat Hamburg. These three types correspond to three of six haplotypes recently described as the origin of Vitis cultivars. Below, left to right: Curvature analysis in seeds of Vitis amurensis, Hebén, Tempranillo, and Regina dei Vigneti.
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