Download CROPTIME Vegetable Growth Stage Descriptions

CROPTIME
Vegetable Growth Stage Descriptions
CONTENTS
PLEASE READ .................................................................................................................................................................2
AMARANTHACEAE ........................................................................................................................................................3
Spinach ......................................................................................................................................................................3
APIACEAE .......................................................................................................................................................................4
Carrot ........................................................................................................................................................................4
Parsnip ......................................................................................................................................................................5
ASTERACEAE ..................................................................................................................................................................6
Lettuce ......................................................................................................................................................................6
BRASSICACEAE ..............................................................................................................................................................7
Broccoli .....................................................................................................................................................................7
Brussels sprout .........................................................................................................................................................8
Cabbage ....................................................................................................................................................................9
Cauliflower ..............................................................................................................................................................11
Kale .........................................................................................................................................................................12
CUCURBITACEAE .........................................................................................................................................................13
Cucumber ................................................................................................................................................................13
Summer squash ......................................................................................................................................................14
Winter squash .........................................................................................................................................................15
FABACEAE ....................................................................................................................................................................16
Snap beans ..............................................................................................................................................................16
POACEAE .....................................................................................................................................................................18
Sweet corn ..............................................................................................................................................................18
SOLANACEAE ...............................................................................................................................................................19
Pepper .....................................................................................................................................................................19
Tomato ...................................................................................................................................................................20
Appendix 1: Vegetable threshold temperatures .......................................................................................................21
Appendix 2: Growth stage field notes ........................................................................................................................22
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................................23
Aug 25, 2014 draft
PLEASE READ
These descriptions of vegetable growth stages are to guide collection of crop development data to
contribute to growing degree-day models for the OSU CROPTIME website:
http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu.
Growth stages in bold text and shaded cells are critical for model development.
To collect data:
1. Record the growth stage of 10 plants. Avoid plants clearly affected by environmental stress.
Record median growth stage reached by the fifth most developed plant, except when noted.
2. True leaves are considered fully unfolded when they have unfurled (no longer cupping) and the
next leaf is visible, but they have not necessarily reached full size.
3. Be sure to read the next expected growth stages when visiting a site. A common mistake is to
keep counting leaves when the beginning of the reproductive stage should be noted.
Revised August 25, 2014
2
AMARANTHACEAE
SPINACH
Stage name
Cotyledon (emergence)
Number of true leaves
5-6 true leaves
Number of true leaves
Pointed leaves
Mature/harvest
First harvest
Bolting
Revised August 25, 2014
Description
Cotyledonous leaves emerge from the soil.
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves
5-6 fully unfolded true leaves
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves
New inner leaves are pointed rather than rounded at the tip.
Leaves have reached typical size for harvest.
Record first harvest date
Main shoot begins to elongate, end of harvest period
3
APIACEAE
CARROT
Growth Stage
Seedling
emergence
Number of true
leaves
5-6 true leaves
Number of true
leaves
Root diameter
First potential
harvest
Description
Cotyledonous leaves emerge from the soil.
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves.
5-6 fully unfolded true leaves.
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves until root has about ½” diameter
(approximately 6-7 true leaves).
Measure root diameter across the widest point on the crown starting when
the crown begins to expand at 5-7 true leaves (i.e. ½” root diameter).
90% of roots have reached harvestable size, record crown diameter.
Harvestable crown size is approximately ¾ -1½” diameter.
* The Physiology of Vegetable Crops, Wien, H.C (ed.), 1997
1.
2.
Revised August 25, 2014
3.
4
PARSNIP
Growth Stage
Seedling
emergence
Number of true
leaves
First multifoliate
leaf
Number of true
leaves
Root diameter
First potential
harvest
Description
Cotyledonous leaves emerge from the soil.
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves. The first few leaves are
unifoliate. Starting about the fourth leaf they become multifoliate.
Unifoliate and multifoliate leaves each count as one true leaf. Don’t count
individual leaflets
Beginning of period of N uptake.
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves until root has about ½” diameter
(about 6 true leaves).
Measure root diameter across the widest point on the crown starting at
about 6 true leaves (i.e. ½” root diameter).
90% of roots have reached harvestable size, record crown diameter.
Harvestable crown size is approximately 2-2½” diameter.
* The Physiology of Vegetable Crops, Wien, H.C (ed.), 1997
Revised August 25, 2014
5
ASTERACEAE
LETTUCE
Growth Stage
Cotyledon
(emergence)
Number of true
leaves
5-6 true leaves
Number of true
leaves
Rosette
Cupping
Heading
Mature
Bolting
Description
Cotyledonous leaves emerge from the soil.
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves.
5-6 true leaves are fully unfolded. This is the beginning of the period of N
uptake.
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves.
Distinct circular cluster of leaves.
Tips of inner leaves begin to curl inwards on the edge, two youngest leaves do not
unfold. This stage is much less pronounced with leaf lettuce than with head
lettuce.
Cupped leaves begin to overlap and cover the growing point of the plant. Leaf
lettuce does not form a head.
The head reaches marketable size for the variety, leaf lettuce is
marketable size for that variety and leaves have not started to become
bitter.
Main shoot inside head begins to elongate.
Revised August 25, 2014
6
BRASSICACEAE



Measure diameter of cauliflower and broccoli
o If oblong measure length and width and divide by two
Cabbage, measure diametero Some studies measure head length and width and core length and width.
o Some studies measure circumference
o USDA Standards measure cabbage by
o My conclusion – as long as were consistent we should be fine.
We will also put together photos of the varieties to use next season to have a visual example of
growth stages, we will also note which photos we need to capture in 2015.
BROCCOLI
Growth Stage
Cotyledon
(emergence)
Number of true
leaves
Transplant
Number of true
leaves
5-6 true leaves
Number of true
leaves
Cupping
Head initiation
Head
development
Mature
Early flowering
Description
Fully emerged and primary (unifoliate) leaves completely unfurrowed.
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves.
Record number of true leaves at transplanting
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves.
Beginning of rapid N accumulation is about 5-6 true leaves
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves (up to 9 or more).
Around 10-14 true leaves the innermost heart leaves begin to curve around
the growing tip where the head will initiate.
The harvestable head is initiated when vernalization occurs??. Head can be
felt without pulling leaves apart (1/2” diameter).
As the heads develop measure the circumference around the main head on
each plant you examine.
Heads have reached typical size and form for that variety. Record the
median circumference around the head.
Record the percentage of plants in the trial site that are beginning to
flower. Buds in the head begin to elongate and the head separates. Petals
become visible but flowers have not yet opened.
Revised August 25, 2014
7
BRUSSELS SPROUT
Growth Stage
Cotyledon
(emergence)
Number of true
leaves
Transplant
Number of true
leaves
5-6 true leaves
Number of true
leaves
Sprout initiation
Beginning of
stem elongation
Sprout
development
Topping
Processing
market harvest
Fresh market
harvest
Early flowering
Description
Fully emerged and primary (unifoliate) leaves completely unfurrowed.
Count number of fully expanded true leaves.
Record seeding or transplanting date and growth stage at transplanting
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves.
Beginning of rapid N accumulation is about 5-6 true leaves.
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves (up to 9 or more).
Record percent sprout (bud) initiation in leaf axils, buds have ⅛ - ¼ ”
diameter.
Main shoot has started to elongate. For example, 4-6” from center of the
rosette to the top growing point.
Sprouts are growing in the leaf axil. Record the average sprout diameter on
the stalk (i.e. from near the middle of the stalk).
Tops of plants are topped to promote even sprout size. Normally when
sprouts on bottom of stalk have ½ - ¾” diameter.
Average sprout diameter is 1 – 1⅜” diameter. Tightly closed sprouts below
the terminal bud have formed.
Average sprout diameter is 1¼ – 1½” diameter. Tightly closed sprouts
below the terminal bud have formed.
Buds begin to elongate to form flower branches. Record the percentage of
plants in the trial site that are elongating.
Revised August 25, 2014
8
CABBAGE
Growth Stage
Cotyledon
(emergence)
Number of true
leaves
Transplant
Number of true
leaves
5-6 true leaves
Number of true
leaves
Pre-cupping
Cupping
Early head
formation
Head fill
Mature
Splitting
Description
Fully emerged and primary (unifoliate) leaves completely unfurrowed.
Count number of fully expanded true leaves.
Record growth number of true leaves at transplanting
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves
Beginning of rapid N accumulation is about 5-6TL.
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves
Approximately 10-12 leaves. The innermost heart leaves are growing in an
upright fashion and begin to curve inwards. They are visible without moving
any of the surrounding leaves. By the end of this stage the base of the stem
and the bases of all leaves are concealed when the plant is viewed from
above.
Approximately 12-16 leaves. The innermost heart leaves, which are still
growing in an upright fashion, are concealed by the larger, older leaves
surrounding them. All visible leaves will later become the frame leaves
(leaves not touching the mature head) of the mature plant.
Record the circumference around the head. Firm head can easily be felt
when squeezing, 3-10” head circumference. The inner heart leaves are
now quickly developing as a ball-like structure of overlapping leaves, and
are concealed by the surrounding larger leaves. These surrounding leaves
do not press tightly against the developing head and will later unfold to
become frame leaves.
Record the circumference around the head, approximately 10-25” head
circumference. A firm round head is visible within the wrapper leaves (the 4
outer loose leaves that touch the mature head). The head has not yet fully
developed and thus, is not of harvestable size.
Record the measurement of circumference around the head ,
approximately 20-35” head circumference. Head is dense: visible airspace
in a cut head is less than XX% and core length is still 10 cm or less
(increases with age). Wrapper leaf that is tight against the head curls up a
little.
Early maturing heads in the field are starting to split.
Revised August 25, 2014
9
CABBAGE GROWTH STAGES
Cotyledon
Seedling
6-8 true
leaves
1.
2.
9-12 true
leaves
3.
Precupping
4.
Cupping
5.
Early head
formation
7.
6.
Head fill
Mature
8.
Revised August 25, 2014
9.
10
CAULIFLOWER
Growth Stage
Cotyledon
(emergence)
Number of true
leaves
Transplant
Number of true
leaves
6-8 true leaves
Number of true
leaves
Cupping
Curd initiation
Curd
development
Mature
Early flowering
Description
Fully emerged and primary (unifoliate) leaves completely unfolded.
Count number of unfolded true leaves.
Record number of true leaves at transplanting
Count number of unfolded true leaves
Beginning of rapid N accumulation is about 6-8TL.
Count number of unfolded true leaves.
Around 12-16 true leaves the innermost heart leaves begin to curve around
the growing tip where the head will initiate.
The curd is initiated when plants reach vegetative maturity and cool mean
temperatures occur (i.e. 58-68F for summer types – questioning this). The
curd becomes visible, but is very small (i.e. less than ½” diameter).
As the curds develop measure the circumference around the main curd on
each plant you examine.
Curds have reached typical size and form for that variety. Record the
median curd circumference.
Buds in the curd begin to flower, flower branches begin to elongate and
petals become visible but flowers have not yet opened. Record the
percentage of plants in the trial site that are beginning to flower.
Revised August 25, 2014
11
KALE
Stage name
Cotyledon (emergence)
Number of true leaves
Transplant
Number of true leaves
5-6 true leaves
Number of true leaves
First harvest
Stem elongation
Plant decline
Harvest period ends
Bolting
Revised August 25, 2014
Description
Cotyledonous leaves emerge from the soil.
Count number of unfolded true leaves that have the color typical for
the variety
Record number of true leaves at transplanting
Count number of unfolded true leaves
5-6 true leaves are fully unfolded. This is the beginning of the
period of N uptake.
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves
Leaves have reached typical size and shape for harvest for that
variety
Note beginning of stem elongation. For example, 3-5” visible stalk
from center of rosette to the top growing point.
Leaf quality is declining and number of harvestable leaves for
bunching is declining
No longer economical to harvest plants
Main shoot begins to elongate
12
CUCURBITACEAE
CUCUMBER
Growth Stage
Emergence
Transplant
Number of true
leaves
4-5 leaf stage
Flower bud
emergence
Flower bud
development
Beginning
reproductive
growth
Beginning of fruit
set
Fruit length
Harvest maturity
Harvest period
End of harvest
Description
Cotyledons break through soil surface
Record number of true leaves at transplanting
Count number of true leaves on main stem fully unfolded.
4-5 true leaves fully unfolded
Note presence of first visible flower buds.
Flower buds are developing but there are no open flowers.
First open male or female flower. 50% of plants have first open flower.
First fruit begin to expand.
Record the length of the earliest developing fruit
Fruit has reached typical harvest size for variety. Generally 5-7” fruit
length. Record first harvest date.
Harvest continues
Plants decline and fruit is no longer harvested
2.
1.
6.
3.
4.
5.
Revised August 25, 2014
13
SUMMER SQUASH
Growth Stage
Cotyledon
(emergence)
Transplant
Number of true
leaves
4-5 leaf stage
Flower bud
emergence
Beginning
reproductive
growth
Beginning of fruit
set
Fruit expansion
Harvest maturity
First harvest
Ongoing harvest
End of harvest
Description
Fully emerged and primary (unifoliate) leaves completely unfurrowed.
Record number of true leaves at transplanting
Count number of unfolded true leaves.
Beginning of rapid N accumulation is about 4-5 true leaves.
Note presence of first visible flower buds.
First open male or female flower. 50% of plants have first open flower.
First fruit begin to expand.
Fruit has set and is continuing to expand. Record fruit length.
Fruit has reached typical harvest size for variety. Generally 5-7” fruit
length for zucchini and summer squash types.
Record first harvest date
Harvest continuing
Plants decline and fruit no longer harvested (i.e. powdery mildew, leaf
senescence, frost damage)
Revised August 25, 2014
14
WINTER SQUASH
Growth Stage
Cotyledon
(emergence)
Transplant
Number of true
leaves
4-5 leaf stage
Flower bud
emergence
Beginning
reproductive
growth
Beginning of fruit
set
Fruit expansion
Physiological
maturity
Fruit ripening
Percent mature
Vine die-back
Harvest maturity
Description
Fully emerged and primary (unifoliate) leaves completely unfurrowed.
Record number of true leaves at transplanting
Count number of unfolded true leaves.
Beginning of rapid N accumulation is about 4-5 true leaves
Note presence of first visible flower buds.
First open male or female flower. 50% of plants have first open flower.
First fruit begin to expand.
Fruit has set and is continuing to expand. Record fruit length.
First fruit has reached typical size and form but is not yet ripe.
Record percentage of fruit at different color ripeness of the most mature
fruit. Color will vary depending on species and type: tan fruited types go
from green to tan (with no green stripes), orange fruited types go from
yellow to rich orange, in green fruited types, the ground spot goes from pale
to deep yellow or yellow-orange.
Record the percentage of fruit that have fully mature color (i.e. no green
lines in brown fruit)
May occur early if fusarium wilt and/or powdery mildew is present, or may
occur only after a killing frost.
90% of the potentially marketable fruit in the field has mature color
Revised August 25, 2014
15
FABACEAE
SNAP BEANS
(Andaloro et al. 1983 and project team):
Growth Stage
Emergence
Unifoliate leaves
1-2 trifoliate
leaves
Number of
trifoliate leaves
Bud emergence
Popcorn bloom
Percent bloom
Pod development
Pod filling
Green harvest
maturity (snap
beans)
Physiological
maturity1
Dry seed harvest
maturity1
1
Description
Seedlings emerge and cotyledons are exposed.
First 2 unifoliate leaves are unfolded.
Beginning of rapid N accumulation is estimated at 1-2 trifoliate leaves.
Count number of fully unfolded trifoliate leaves (up to 5-6).
Flower buds form.
50% of plants have one or more flowers that are open and showing white
colored petals. NB. Important stage for white mold fungicide application.
Record percentage of plants that have one or more flowers open. Note hot
temperatures which can cause flowers to abort
Pods are developing to their full length, but are not filling. Note hot
temperatures
Pods are filling as the seeds develop.
Somewhat variety dependent (adjust for market preference). For a full
sieve bean, 50% 1-4 sieve. Smaller sieve size beans will have different
targets. An alternate measurement is to line up 10 seeds, each extracted
from the middle position of the most mature pods from 10 plants. Variety
is ready to harvest when length measures 10 cm or more.
70% buckskin pods for snaps; 80% buckskin pods for dry beans (ready for
cutting and windrowing).
Pods ready to thresh. Crisp pods that easily crack in fingers, check middle
of windrow.
For seed crops only. Green bean harvest delays dry seed maturity.
Revised August 25, 2014
16
1.
2.
3.
6.
4.
5.
Revised August 25, 2014
17
POACEAE
SWEET CORN
Growth Stage
Description
Cotyledon
(emergence)
Number of true
leaves
5 leaf stage
Number of true
leaves
Tassel emergence
5 inch tassels
Tasseling
5% silk emerge
Silk emergence
50% silk emerged
Silk emergence
Brown silks
develop
Fresh market
harvest
Processing market
harvest
Emergence from soil. Single cotyledon leaf is unfolded.
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves (not including coltyledon leaf).
50% of plants have 5 leaves partially or fully expanded.
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves coming from main stem. Do not count
all leaves on tillers (side-shoots).
Tassel detectable at top of stem, record percent plants with tassels.
80% of plants have tassels at least 5 inches in length.
Record percent plants with tassels.
5% of ears have at least some silk showing.
Record percentage of ears that have at least some silk showing.
50% of ears have at least some silk showing.
Record percentage of ears that have at least some silk showing.
Record percentage of ears that have mostly brown silk. For example the silk on the
main ear is predominantly brown and drying up, not just brown at the tip.
Cobs are mature with full kernels at tip. Past milk stage and sweet to taste.
Kernels meet requirements for processing. Percent moisture: 72-73% for sugary
types and 75-76% for sh2. Processor calls pick date.
Revised August 25, 2014
18
SOLANACEAE
PEPPER
Growth Stage
Transplant
Number of true leaves
5-6 true leaves
Number of true leaves
First side shoots present
Flower bud emergence
Bud development
First flowering
Fruit set
Fruit growth
Mature green stage
Green fresh market harvest
Green processing market
harvest
Ripening of fruit
First ripe fruits
Red fresh market harvest
Red processing harvest
End of Harvest
Revised August 25, 2014
Description
Record number of true leaves at planting
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves.
Beginning of rapid N accumulation is about 5-6 true leaves
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves.
First side-shoot visible in leaf axils. In some types this occurs at the
same time as emergence of first inflorescence. In these cases, note
both.
First flower buds visible (first bud erect)
Buds are present but flowers have not opened.
First flower open on 50% of the plants
First fruitlets visible but very small (cell division), less than 1” diameter.
First fruit expanding (cell expansion), greater than 1” diameter. Record
length of most mature fruit.
First fruit could be harvested as green pepper
Median plant has at least four fruit at mature green stage
Record harvest date
Record color of most mature fruit (green, chocolate, red)
First fruit could be harvested as fully ripe pepper
Median plant has at least four ripe fruit
Record harvest date for red processing peppers
Fruit no longer harvested
19
TOMATO
Growth Stage
Transplant
Number of true leaves
Bud emergence
First side shoot present
First flowering
Fruit set
Fruit growth
Physiological maturity
Fruit ripening
Ripe fruit
Harvest
Ongoing harvest
End of harvest
Revised August 25, 2014
Description
Record number of fully expanded true leaves at planting
Count number of fully unfolded true leaves coming from main stem. Leaves
are compound and multi-foliate, be sure not to count individual leaflets.
First inflorescence buds visible
First side-shoot visible in leaf axils. In some types this occurs at the same time
as emergence of first inflorescence. In these cases, note both.
First flower open on 50% of the plants
First fruitlets visible but very small (cell division), less than 1” diameter.
First fruit expanding (cell expansion), greater than 1” diameter.
First fruit has reached typical size and form but is still green or unripe. Seeds
are maturing.
Record color of most mature fruit on the median plant: breaker (first color
change), pink, light red, red.
Record percentage of plants with first ripe fruit and number of ripe fruit per
plant on the median plant.
Record first harvest date and number of ripe fruit per plant on the median
plant (varies by variety).
Harvest continues
Fruit no longer harvested
20
APPENDIX 1: VEGETABLE THRESHOLD TEMPERATURES
Insert table
Revised August 25, 2014
21
APPENDIX 2: GROWTH STAGE FIELD NOTES
Insert later when changes are made. How to format, section break?
Revised August 25, 2014
22
REFERENCES
Crop Phenology for Irrigated Chiles (Capsicum annuum L.) in Arizona and New Mexico. 2006, Soto-Ortiz
Revised August 25, 2014
23