Scales 2: Computer Program to Convert among Developmental Stage Scales for Corn and Small Grains

Producers and agronomists need crop developmental scales that are easy to use, universally accepted, and accurate. Development of such a scale requires correlation of stages among scales currently in use and correlation of developmental patterns among crops. A computer program for converting among staging systems is a useful tool in developing new staging systems with wider applicability. The BBCH scale (BASF-Bayer-Ciba-Geigy-Hoechst) has been proposed as a prototype of a universal scale. We have added the BBCH scale to our scale conversion program for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and developed a similar conversion program for corn (Zea mays L.), based on correlations reported in the literature. SCALES 2 provides a tool to translate among several widely used scales for corn and small-gain development, and can be used to develop familiarity with