The BBCH scale is an internationally recognized system for describing plant phenological stages and plays a crucial role in planning agricultural interventions, particularly plant protection measures. This article presents the historical development and significance of the BBCH system, focusing on its application in nut crops— common walnut (Juglans regia L.), hazelnut (Corylus spp.), and sweat chestnut (Castanea spp.). Until recently, these species relied on various, mostly descriptive phenological systems, which often hindered data comparison across regions and studies. Between 2021 and 2024, harmonized and expanded BBCH scales were introduced for these nut species, enabling more precise monitoring of individual phenophases, including separate descriptions of male and female inflorescences and detailed stages of fruit ripening. The article provides a translated and adapted version of the current BBCH scales for cultivated species of above mentiloned genera, facilitating their direct implementation in Slovenian production and advisory practice. Special attention is given to the link between phenological development and optimal timing for the application of plant protection products. The adoption of standardized terminology supports more effective, targeted, and sustainable plant protection strategies, reduces environmental risks, and enhances the usability of phenological data in advisory services, research, and forecasting models.
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