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BBCH-scale (olive)

The BBCH-scale (olive) identifies the phenological development stages of the olive tree (Olea europaea). It is a plant species specific version of the BBCH-scale.

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A downloadable version [1] of the BBCH Scales, including illustrations, is available from the BBA [2] (Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry)

Phenological growth stages and BBCH-identification keys of olive trees
Code	Description
Principal growth stage 0: Bud development
00	Foliar buds at the apex of shoots grown the previous crop-year are completely closed, sharp-pointed, stemless and ochrecoloured.
01	Foliar buds start to swell and open, showing the new foliar primordia.
03	Foliar buds lengthen and separate from the base.
07	External small leaves open, not completely separated, remaining joined by apices.
09	External small leaves opening further with their tips inter crossing.
Principal growth stage 1: Leaf development
11	First leaves completely separated. Grey-greenish coloured.
15	The leaves are more separated without reaching their final size. First leaves turn greenish on the upperside.
19	Leaves get the typical variety size and shape.
Principal growth stage 3: Shoot development
31	Shoots reach 10% of final size.
33	Shoots reach 30% of final size.
37	Shoots reach 70% of final size.
Principal growth stage 5: Inflorescence emergence.
50	Inflorescence buds in leaf axiles are completely closed. They are sharp-pointed, stemless and ochre-coloured.
51	Inflorescence buds start to swell on its stem.
52	Inflorescence buds open. Flower cluster development starts.
54	Flower cluster growing
55	Flower cluster totally expanded. Floral buds start to open.
57	The corolla, green-coloured, is longer than calyx.
59	The corolla changes from green to white colour.
Principal growth stage 6: Flowering
60	First flowers open.
61	Beginning of flowering: 10% of flowers open.
65	Full flowering: at least 50% of flowers open.
67	First petals falling.
68	Majority of petals fallen or faded.
69	End of flowering, fruit set, non-fertilized ovaries fallen.
Principal growth stage 7: Fruit development
71	Fruit size about 10% of final size.
75	Fruit size about 50% of final size. Stone starts to lignificate (it shows cutting resistance).
79	Fruit size about 90% of final size. Fruit suitable for picking green olives.
Principal growth stage 8: Maturity of fruit
80	Fruit deep green colour becomes light green, yellowish.
81	Beginning of fruit colouring.
85	Increasing of specific fruit colouring.
89	Harvest maturity: fruits get the typical variety colour, remaining turgid, suitable for oil extraction.
Principal growth stage 9: Senescence
92	Overripe: fruits lose turgidity and start to fall.