A DESCRIPTION AND CODE OF DEVELOPMENT OF EVENING PRIMROSE (OENOTHERA SPP)

A description and code of development is proposed which divides the li fe cycle of evening primrose (Oenothera spp.) into seven stages, namel y germination and emergence, leaf production, stem extension, flower b ud development, flowering, spike development in terms of seeds and spi ke development in terms of pods. The description and code are based on a system devised for oilseed rape but are modified to suit evening pr imrose growers and those who require simple and accurate identificatio n of critical crop stages such as harvest stage. The relationship betw een the proposed code and the general BBCH scale is indicated.