Phenological growth stages of mango (Mangifera indica L.) according to the BBCH scale

Codes and detailed crop-specific descriptions are presented for the growth stages of the mango tree, contributing to the standardization of international testing systems in fruit growing. Based on the general BBCH-scale, the one for mango uses 7 of the 10 principal stages (0–9), thus growth stages for bud, leaf and shoot development, inflorescence emergence, flowering, fruit development and fruit maturity are described. Secondary stages (also from 0 to 9) are numbered related to ordinal or percentage values of growth. The scale also uses mesostages, between the principal and secondary stages, to distinguish the different vegetative flushes and the principal terminal inflorescence emergence from the later axillary one, subsequent to terminal flowering failure. A feature of the system is that homologous stages of different crops are presented by the same codes.

► The paper describes the phenological stages of mango tree according to the extended BBCH-growth stage identification keys.
► This extended BBCH-scale for mango has advantages over the classical one of Aubert and Lossois, especially because it is more complete, describing stages for bud, shoot and leaf development, inflorescence emergence, flowering, and fruit growth and ripening, while the latter only focuses on shoot and panicle development.
► The scale uses 10 principal stages, 10 secondary stages, and several mesostages to distinguish successive vegetative flushes and inflorescence emergences.
► It provides an important tool for the correct timing of general orchard management.