The BBCH Scale of Cherries

18 Sep 2024
2696

The BBCH scale is used to describe and label the phenological stages of plants. The abbreviation BBCH derives from Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie.

Initially, the BBCH scale was developed for cereals but later was adapted to other species, such as cherry. It consists of a numerical code and is usually accompanied by the appropriate illustrative photo.

The significance of this scale is of great importance for visual monitoring of plant growth stages and helps to make decisions regarding fertilization, irrigation, plant protection and other cultural practices (e.g. pruning), at the appropriate time.

BBCH scale of cherry according to principal growth stages

Principal growth stage 0: Bud development

  • 00 Dormancy
  • 01 Beginning of bud swelling
  • 03 End of leaf bud swelling
  • 09 Green leaf tips visible

Principal growth stage 1: Leaf development

  • 10 First leaves separating
  • 11 First leaves unfolded
  • 19 First leaves fully expanded.

Principal growth stage 3: Shoot development

  • 31 Beginning of shoot growth
  • 32 20% of final shoots length
  • 33 30% of final shoots length
  • 39 90% of final shoots length.

Principal growth stage 5: Reproductive development or inflorescence emergence.

  • 50 Dormancy, inflorescence bud closed
  • 51 Inflorescence buds swelling
  • 53 Bud burst
  • 54 Inflorescence enclosed by light green scales
  • 55 Single flower buds visible
  • 56 Flower pedicel elongating
  • 57 Sepals open
  • 59 Balloon

Principal growth stage 6: Flowering

  • 60 First flowers open
  • 61 Beginning of flowering
  • 62 20% of flowers open
  • 63 30% of flowers open
  • 64 40% of flowers open
  • 65 Full flowering
  • 67 Flower fading
  • 69 End of flowering

Principal growth stage 7: Fruit development

  • 71 Ovary growing
  • 72 Sepals beginning to fall
  • 73 Second fruit fall
  • 75 50% of final fruit size
  • 76 60% of final fruit size
  • 77 70% of final fruit size
  • 78 80% of final fruit size
  • 79 90% of final fruit size

Principal growth stage 8: Ripening or maturity

  • 81 Beginning of fruit colouring
  • 85 Colouring advanced
  • 87 Fruit ripe for picking

Principal growth stage 9: Senescence, beginning of dormancy

  • 92 Leaves begin to discolour
  • 93 Beginning of leaf fall
  • 95 50% of leaves fallen
  • 97 All leaves fallen

Source: FadĂłn E., Herrero M., Rodrigo J. 2015. Flower development in sweet cherry framed in the BBCH scale. Scientia Horticulturae, Volume 192, 31 August 2015, Pages 141-147.
Images: DDFT / IPBGR / ELGO-DIMITRA.

Konstantinos Kazantzis and Thomas Sotiropoulos
Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Department of Deciduous Fruit Trees, Naoussa, Greece


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

In susceptibility tests the larvae of Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWG) showed high susceptibility to the three new treatments

Crop protection

01 Nov 2024

In susceptibility tests carried out at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain), the larvae of the pest showed a high susceptibility to the three treatments applied, with a mortality rate of between 75% and 95%.

Argentina: moving the harvest period up by 15 days to avoid the Chilean market

Markets

14 May 2024

"In terms of marketing, they are fundamental - states Diego Aguilar, president of the Chamber of Cherries of Mendoza - but the first 10-15 days are fundamental. From October 25 to November 10 is the window that remains open in Mendoza to make a difference".

In evidenza

Sweet cherry cracking: the Romanian study linking fruit quality to resistance

Quality

18 Apr 2025

A Romanian study explores the link between sweet cherry cracking and fruit quality factors such as weight, firmness, and pH. Findings provide actionable insights for enhancing cultivar resistance and supporting cherry growers in challenging climates.

Lightweight agrivoltaics over cherry trees: a pioneering pilot plant in Germany

Covers

18 Apr 2025

A groundbreaking agrivoltaic pilot project in Germany installs lightweight solar panels over cherry orchards using existing weather protection systems—maximizing land use, preserving fruit yields and offering a replicable, sustainable model for smart farming across Europe.

Tag Popolari