Phenological growth stages of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.): An extended BBCH scale

In recent years, the cultivation of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum MOENCH) has regained attention in Germany due to shifting dietary preferences and the demand for diversification of crop rotations. However, its low profita­bility, lack of sales markets and governmental support, pro­cessing...

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Main Authors: Samantha Jo Grimes, Clemens Baier, Jens Hartung, Carl Friedrich Horst Longin, Simone Graeff-Hönninger
Format: Article
Language:deu
Published: Julius Kühn-Institut 2025-07-01
Series:Journal für Kulturpflanzen
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Online Access:https://ojs.openagrar.de/index.php/Kulturpflanzenjournal/article/view/17851
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author Samantha Jo Grimes
Clemens Baier
Jens Hartung
Carl Friedrich Horst Longin
Simone Graeff-Hönninger
author_facet Samantha Jo Grimes
Clemens Baier
Jens Hartung
Carl Friedrich Horst Longin
Simone Graeff-Hönninger
author_sort Samantha Jo Grimes
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, the cultivation of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum MOENCH) has regained attention in Germany due to shifting dietary preferences and the demand for diversification of crop rotations. However, its low profita­bility, lack of sales markets and governmental support, pro­cessing challenges (such as dehulling), and limited consumer awareness of this historical niche crop continue to hinder large-scale cultivation in Germany. The absence of growth stage-specific management recommendations further com­plicates this issue. For the first time, this study introduces an extended BBCH scale (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundes­sortenamt und Chemische Industrie) outlining nine principal phenological developmental stages of common buckwheat. Developmental stages were determined by visual assessment of three defined plants per plot, in parallel with the overall visual assessment of the stand. The cultivar ‘Dikul’ was chosen as a reference variety as it combines the advantag­es of more homogeneous and earlier ripening with reliable yields of 20–25 dt ha-1 in previous trials, making it a rele­vant choice in agricultural practice. In addition, the devel­opmental stages were recorded using accumulated growing degree-days. The provided code serves as an essential guide­line for agronomic management protocols, facilitating the incorporation of buckwheat into diversified crop rotations and addressing the challenges posed by climate change and variable environmental conditions.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1867-0911
1867-0938
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Julius Kühn-Institut
record_format Article
series Journal für Kulturpflanzen
spelling doaj-art-4b54503d88e74eb0b676a67e073c3ea12025-08-20T03:35:50ZdeuJulius Kühn-InstitutJournal für Kulturpflanzen1867-09111867-09382025-07-01770110.5073/JfK.2025.01.11Phenological growth stages of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.): An extended BBCH scaleSamantha Jo Grimes0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9873-9951Clemens Baier1Jens Hartung2Carl Friedrich Horst Longin3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0737-1651Simone Graeff-Hönninger4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9996-961XDepartment of Agronomy, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.Department of Agronomy, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.State Plant Breeding Institute, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.Department of Agronomy, Institute of Crop Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. In recent years, the cultivation of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum MOENCH) has regained attention in Germany due to shifting dietary preferences and the demand for diversification of crop rotations. However, its low profita­bility, lack of sales markets and governmental support, pro­cessing challenges (such as dehulling), and limited consumer awareness of this historical niche crop continue to hinder large-scale cultivation in Germany. The absence of growth stage-specific management recommendations further com­plicates this issue. For the first time, this study introduces an extended BBCH scale (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundes­sortenamt und Chemische Industrie) outlining nine principal phenological developmental stages of common buckwheat. Developmental stages were determined by visual assessment of three defined plants per plot, in parallel with the overall visual assessment of the stand. The cultivar ‘Dikul’ was chosen as a reference variety as it combines the advantag­es of more homogeneous and earlier ripening with reliable yields of 20–25 dt ha-1 in previous trials, making it a rele­vant choice in agricultural practice. In addition, the devel­opmental stages were recorded using accumulated growing degree-days. The provided code serves as an essential guide­line for agronomic management protocols, facilitating the incorporation of buckwheat into diversified crop rotations and addressing the challenges posed by climate change and variable environmental conditions. https://ojs.openagrar.de/index.php/Kulturpflanzenjournal/article/view/17851BBCH scale, Growth stage, Buckwheat cultivation, Phenology
spellingShingle Samantha Jo Grimes
Clemens Baier
Jens Hartung
Carl Friedrich Horst Longin
Simone Graeff-Hönninger
Phenological growth stages of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.): An extended BBCH scale
Journal für Kulturpflanzen
BBCH scale, Growth stage, Buckwheat cultivation, Phenology
title Phenological growth stages of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.): An extended BBCH scale
title_full Phenological growth stages of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.): An extended BBCH scale
title_fullStr Phenological growth stages of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.): An extended BBCH scale
title_full_unstemmed Phenological growth stages of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.): An extended BBCH scale
title_short Phenological growth stages of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.): An extended BBCH scale
title_sort phenological growth stages of common buckwheat fagopyrum esculentum moench an extended bbch scale
topic BBCH scale, Growth stage, Buckwheat cultivation, Phenology
url https://ojs.openagrar.de/index.php/Kulturpflanzenjournal/article/view/17851
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