In biology, the BBCH-scale for pome fruit describes the phenological development of fruits such as apples and pears using the BBCH-scale.
The phenological growth stages and BBCH-identification keys of pome fruit are:
Growth stageCodeDescription0: Sprouting/Bud development00 Dormancy: leaf buds and the thicker inflorescence buds closed and covered by dark brown scales01 Beginning of leaf bud swelling: buds visibly swollen, bud scales elongated, with light coloured patches03 End of leaf bud swelling: bud scales light coloured with some parts densely covered by hairs07 Beginning of bud break: first green leaf tips just visible09 Green leaf tips about 5 mm above bud scales1: Leaf development10 Mouse-ear stage: Green leaf tips 10 mm above the bud scales; first leaves separating11 First leaves unfolded (others still unfolding)15 More leaves unfolded, not yet at full size19 First leaves fully expanded3: Shoot development131 Beginning of shoot growth: axes of developing shoots visible32 Shoots about 20% of final length33 Shoots about 30% of final length3 . Stages continuous till ...39 Shoots about 90% of final length5: Inflorescence emergence51 Inflorescence buds swelling: bud scales elongated, with light coloured patches52 End of bud swelling: light coloured bud scales visible with parts densely covered by hairs53 Bud burst: green leaf tips enclosing flowers visible54 Mouse-ear stage: green leaf tips 10 mm above bud scales; first leaves separating55 Flower buds visible (still closed)56 Green bud stage: single flowers separating (still closed)57 Pink bud stage: flower petals elongating; sepals slightly open; petals just visible59 Most flowers with petals forming a hollow ball6: Flowering60 First flowers open61 Beginning of flowering: about 10% of flowers open62 About 20% of flowers open63 About 30% of flowers open64 About 40% of flowers open65 Full flowering: at least 50% of flowers open, first petals falling67 Flowers fading: majority of petals fallen69 End of flowering: all petals fallen7: Development of fruit71 Fruit size up to 10 mm; fruit fall after flowering72 Fruit size up to 20 mm73 Second fruit fall74 Fruit diameter up to 40 mm; fruit erect (T-stage: underside of fruit and stalk forming a T)75 Fruit about half final size76 Fruit about 60% final size77 Fruit about 70% final size78 Fruit about 80% final size79 Fruit about 90% final size8: Maturity of fruit and seed81 Beginning of ripening: first appearance of cultivar-specific colour85 Advanced ripening: increase in intensity of cultivar-specific colour87 Fruit ripe for picking89 Fruit ripe for consumption: fruit have typical taste and firmness9: Senescence, beginning of dormancy91 Shoot growth completed; terminal bud developed; foliage still fully green92 Leaves begin to discolour93 Beginning of leaf fall95 50% of leaves discoloured97 All leaves fallen99 Harvested product
1 From terminal bud
References
External links A downloadable version of the BBCH Scales