Phenological growth stages of pome fruit (Malus domestica Borkh. and Pyrus communis L.), stone fruit (Prunus species), currants Ribes species and strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.).

A detailed crop-specific description and codes are presented for the growth stages of pome (top) fruit, stone fruit, currants and strawberries. They are offered as a contribution to the standardisation of national and international testing systems in fruit growing. The codes describe growth stages using a 2-digit numerical system and differentiate between principal and secondary growth stages to allow separation of development periods and development steps. Each growth stage presented, from dormant bud to complete leaf fall, is based on phenological features. The botanical characteristics of the fruit crops described have been taken into account as far as possible.