Recorded from the base of pseudostem to emerging point of the peduncle

Determined by the circumference at 100 cm

Recorded without removing the external sheaths. The colour of oldest dry sheaths should not be considered. (Chart A)

Recorded as in 6.2.3

Remove the outermost sheath from the pseudostem and look at the exposed surface of the underlying pseudostem. The values 5 (pink-purple), 6 (red-purple) and 7 (purple) must be chosen only if the pigmentation is uniform, and green tinges are not observed. (Chart A)

Record the tinge of pigmentation, even if it is only noticeable in places. (Chart A)

Cut the external sheath of pseudostem and record the characteristics of the sap. (Chart A)

Record the number of suckers from soil level to point of emergence of the last leaf (>30 cm height). Recorded only if no desuckering has taken place

In relation to the parent plant. Observed on the tallest sucker. Recorded at harvest time

Recorded on the third, fully unfolded leaf counting down from the top of the plant. (See Fig. 5)

Recorded on the third, fully unfolded leaf counting down from the top of the plant. (See Fig. 5)

Leaf III is the third leaf counted from the last leaf (leaf I) produced before bunch emergence. Cut the petiole half way between the pseudostem and the leaf blade and examine the cross section. (See Figs. 4 and 6)

Measured at its maximum point

Measured at its maximum point

Recorded from the pseudostem to the lamina

(Wax removed). (Chart A)

Recorded on the lower surface

Presence of ridges perpendicular to the secondary ribs on the leaf upper surface

If pigmentation is seen, options are 4, 5 or 6. (Chart A)

If pigmentation is seen, options are 4, 5 or 6. (Chart A)

Look at the visible face (future lower face) of the cigar leaf before it is unfurled and before the plant flowers. (Chart A)

Observed on young, non inhibited water suckers (if the lamina is sword shaped, it is not a water sucker)

Measured from the leaf crown to the first hand of fruit

Record the number of empty nodes between the last bract-leaf and first hand of fruit

Recorded at mid-length

Descriptor state 4 (red/or pink-purple) is green homogeneously tinged with red (purple green appearance). When pigmentation is scattered, use state 5. (Chart A)

(Position of the fruit-bearing part). Angle from vertical to the general axis of the bunch

Record at flowering if the flowers of the first hands bear apparently functional stamens

Positioning of fruits on the crown

For the following descriptors, observe only that part of the rachis between the last hand of fruit and the male bud

For the following descriptors, observe only that part of the rachis between the last hand of fruit and the male bud

Recorded at maturity

Note the general shape of the male bud at harvest. (See Fig. 9)

Length and maximum diameter of male bud at harvest

Descriptors 6.5.1 to 6.5.14 refer to the first external bract that still clings to the male bud

Flatten the apex of the bract to observe its shape. (See Fig. 11)

Note alignment of bracts at the apex of the male bud

Recorded on the external face of the bract

Recorded on scars left after fall of bracts and flowers

Observed on the inside of the bract

Number of raised bracts present on the male bud

Recorded on the external surface

Observed on the external surface

(See Fig. 14). Descriptors 6.6.1 to 6.6.25 refer to the flowers at the axil of the first external bract unlifted. At least 10 flowers should be observed

Without considering lobe colour. (Chart B)

In relation to the base of the lobes on the compound tepal

Observed on the face opposite to the dehiscence split of the anther (dorsal face). (Chart B)

Recorded at the line where the anther splits to release pollen. (Chart B)

Percentage of deformed and/or aborted grains in relation to normal grains. Use Alexander’s pollen viability assessment method (See references)

Do not refer to the minute blotches which can be present on the style (Descriptor 6.6.17). (Chart B)

In relation to the base of the lobes on the compound tepal

Record number of flowers per cluster with an abnormal number of stamens, fusion of free and compound tepal, etc.

Observed soon after flowering and before the fruit fills. Observe a cross-section of a fruit. (See Fig. 18)

For the following descriptors, records should be made on the inner fruit in the middle of the mid-hand of the bunch, at harvest time (first fruit ripening on bunch) / Recorded only on fruits arranged symmetrically around the stalk

Observed on the mid-hand of the bunch

Measured as the internal arc of the fruit, without pedicel

Observed on mature fruit (‘ready to eat’ - ripe but not over-ripe, full yellow stage). (See Fig. 20

Observed at the distal end of the fruit. (See Fig. 21)

Observed at the distal end of the fruit. (See Fig. 22)

(Before joining the crown)

Recorded on the youngest hand of the bunch, before maturity. (Chart B)

Recorded at fruit maturity (ripe, but not over-ripe; full yellow stage). (Chart B)

Recorded at fruit maturity (‘ready to eat’ ripe, but not over-ripe; full yellow stage)

Recorded at fruit maturity (ripe, but not over-ripe; full yellow stage). (Chart B)

Recorded at fruit maturity if the peel splits without mechanical damage

Recorded on youngest hand of the bunch. (Chart B)

(Chart B). (Ripe, but not over-ripe; full yellow stage)

Observed at fruit maturity

Record the number of seeds only if there exists in the vicinity of the plant a population of wild relatives, or male fertile hybrids (pollen sources), or if the female flowers are artificially pollinated