Application of the extended BBCH scale for the description of the growth stages of coffee (<i>Coffea</i> spp.)

Summary The extended BBCH (BBCH = Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt and CHemische Industrie, Germany) scale and its associated decimal code were used to describe the growth stages of the coffee plant. Principal growth stages included germination and vegetative propagation, leaf development on the shoot of the young plant and branches of the tree, formation of branches, branch elongation, inflorescence and flower development, flowering, development of fruit, ripening of fruit and seed, and senescence. Secondary stages were also identified for each of the principal stages. Through a two digit decimal code, it is possible to identify the principal growth stages and their respective secondary stages. This scale will be of great help to coffee growers and researchers around the world for the more efficient planning of management practices and experiments.