Bael (Aegle marmelos) is an important rutaceous fruit widely cultivated in India. This crop is revered for its high economic and therapeutic value. However, its phenology has not yet been described systematically. Detailed description of phenological growth stages of bael using the extended Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale has been worked out and reported in this paper. Eight principal growth stages and 37 secondary growth stages for bud, leaf development, shoot growth, inflorescence emergence, flowering, fruit development, fruit maturation and senescence have been distinctively defined. The sequential progression of principal growth stages has been described according to the phenological growth pattern and climatic requirements of different phenophases. The extended BBCH scale is broadly applicable for bael cultivation as it describes all the phenophases pertaining to vegetative and reproductive stages. Because of the relative importance of phenophases in crop management and crop improvement, the BBCH scale will facilitate adoption of better crop management practices, crop improvement and characterisation of bael germplasm. Moreover, the extended BBCH scale will be a useful tool in assessing impact of climate change on crop yield and fruit quality.

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Tamarind is one of the highly valued fruit trees of the tropical world. Considering the potential of the crop, a precise standardised description of its growth stages and thermal time requirement were studied to ensure efficient agronomic practices. Phenological growth stages of tamarind are defined according to the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie) scale using a three‐digit numerical system. The phenology of tamarind is characterised by eight principal growth stages: bud growth, leaf growth, shoot growth, inflorescence growth, flower development, fruit growth, fruit maturation and dormancy. Principal growth stages of tamarind are defined and described through 39 secondary growth stages. For each phenological stage, duration and thermal time were also ascertained. It is evident that thermal time for fruit growth and maturation of tamarind is substantially high, whereas inflorescence and leaf require less thermal time to complete their growth. The study could be of great help to tamarind growers and scientists for implementation of efficient agronomic management protocols as well as for assessing the response of critical phenological growth stages to temperature.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of foliar application of Ascophyllum nodosum extract, homobrassinolide, and triacontanol for improving fruit retention, yield, and quality in mango. Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 10 treatments, comprising Ascophyllum nodosum extract (1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm), homobrassinolide (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 ppm), triacontanol (1, 3, and 5 ppm), and water as control. Treatments were foliar sprayed at panicle initiation, pea, and marble stages of fruit growth. Observations were recorded on flowering, fruiting, yield, and fruit quality parameters. Results: All the treatments of Ascophyllum nodosum extract and triacontanol exhibited significant improvement in fruit retention, fruit weight, yield, and fruit quality parameters over control. However, 3000 and 5000 ppm Ascophyllum nodosum extract treatments outperformed all the treatments of triacontanol. Plants sprayed with 5000 ppm Ascophyllum nodosum extract recorded the maximum value for fruit retention (48.15, 36.74, 29.48, and 25.76% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after pea stage, respectively), number of fruits (133.25 per tree), fruit weight (188.84 g per fruit), and yield (25.16 kg per tree), whereas the lowest values were recorded under control. With respect to fruit quality, 3000 ppm ANE produced the fruits with the highest TSS (19.62 °B), whereas the highest TSS/acid ratio was recorded with 5000 ppm ANE (62.29) treatment. Interpretation: In mango, foliar application of Ascophyllum nodosum extract (3000-5000 ppm) thrice at panicle initiation, pea, and marble stages of fruit growth is effective for reducing fruit drop and enhancing quantum and quality of produce.