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