Physiological aging
An irreversible process of gradual decline in metabolic activity and adaptive capacity of a plant, leading to the completion of its life cycle.
Также говорят: senescence, developmental aging, programmed cell death
Physiological aging is a genetically programmed process influenced by environmental factors, nutrient availability, and overall crop health. In agronomy, it is crucial to distinguish this natural decay from premature senescence caused by pathogens or abiotic stressors such as extreme heat or moisture deficit.
Monitoring the aging process allows agronomists to optimize harvesting schedules. Effective field management relies on identifying the end of the grain-filling phase to maximize yield potential and prevent quality degradation. A common error is delaying harvest beyond the optimal physiological stage, which increases the risk of grain shattering, lodging, and secondary pest colonization.