Crop Growth Stage Key for crops and weeds
A universal crop growth stage key using a decimal code for the description of the growth stages of most agricultural crops and weeds has been proposed. The codes and scale are based on the decimal code for cereals. The newly proposed code will be known as the BBCH scale.
The scale gives growth stages of different crops (which go through a similar development) the same codes, thus making it easy to remember and use this code in practice.
The authors conclude that this scale could provide a framework in which more specific scales for individual crops could be constructed.
Sources
Lancashire, P.D.; Bleiholder, H.; Van den Boom, T.; Langelüddeke, P.; Stauss, R.; Weber, E.; Witzenberger, A. (1991) A uniform decimal code for growth stages of crops and weeds.
Annals of Applied Biology 119, 561-601.