Crop Phenology

Crop phenology refers to the sequential progression of developmental phases, the durations of which are determined by the interplay between internal genetic factors and environmental cues. It is a crucial determinant of crop adaptation to seasonal changes and of their capacity to maximize the utilization of solar energy, precipitation, and heat resources. This chapter begins with the essential concepts of crop growth and development and stresses the imperative of adapting crop phenology to the environment by listing four key phenological phases or stages with agronomic importance. There follows developmental response to environmental conditions including temperature per se, photoperiod, and vernalization, with an emphasis on the molecular mechanism underlying flowering time. Finally, examples of genetic and agronomic modifications on flowering time are presented, and future research directions in crop phenology are discussed.