USE OF THE EXTENDED BBCH SCALE - GENERAL FOR THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE GROWTH-STAGES OF MONOCOTYLEDONOUS AND DICOTYLEDONOUS WEED SPECIES

The extended BBCH scale is a system for a uniform coding of phenologic ally similar growth stages of all mono-and dicotyledonous plant specie s, based on the well-known cereal code of Zadoks et al. (1974). The BB CH key is a decimal system, with 10 principal growth stages and up to 10 secondary ones, starting with seed germination/sprouting of perenni als, progressing through leaf production and extension growth to flowe ring and senescence. Therefore, it can also be a suitable tool to defi ne the growth stages of different weed species. To encourage further u se of the BBCH scale in weed research, definitions of the codes have b een more closely adapted to weeds. Possible problems are discussed and guidelines for correct use are given.