Growing Degree Days
It is a heat accumulation index used to estimate the development stages of crops by calculating the sum of daily mean temperatures above a specific biological threshold.
Также говорят: GDD, thermal units, heat units
Farmers use Growing Degree Days (GDD) to predict the timing of phenological events such as germination, flowering, and maturity. By tracking accumulated thermal units, agricultural producers can make precise decisions regarding the timing of irrigation, fertilization, and pest control applications.
Understanding GDD is essential for cultivar selection to ensure that crops complete their growth cycle before the first frost or seasonal weather changes. Common errors include ignoring the base temperature threshold for specific crops or failing to adjust planning based on current year weather fluctuations rather than historical averages.