CIELab measurement, a precise communication in flower colour: An example with carnation(Dianthus caryophyllus)cultivars

Abstract

A review of the principles of colour measurement—with particular requirements for its application to flower material—and of the different equipment available is provided to propose the best type of instrument for this purpose, namely spectrocolorimeters. Then, using a measurement procedure carefully standardized for each material, highly precise and reproducible colorimetric values are obtained for use by breeders (for selection process) and protection authorities (in the protection scheme for breeders’ rights). Colour measurement has been used on a collection of 32 carnation cultivars and the RHS Colour Chart (yellow and cyanic colours groups), using the CIE [1976] L*a*b* system. In both cases, from spectral readings, CIELab values (L*C*h notation) enable an objective and independent determination of the three visual attributes of colour: hue (h), saturation (Chroma, C*) and Lightness (L*). For carnation cultivars, their colour (especially in the range of pink tones in which most general colour names are...