Growing Degree Units Calculator

Calculate Growing Degree Units (GDUs) to assess plant growth and development stages based on temperature data.

Input Parameters

The minimum temperature required for a plant to grow

Calculation Results

Calculation Formula

GDU = (Tmax + Tmin - BaseTemp) / 2

Where:
GDU = Growing Degree Units
Tmax = Maximum Daily Temperature
Tmin = Minimum Daily Temperature
BaseTemp = Base Temperature

Result Interpretation

This calculator provides daily GDU values. To determine developmental stages, accumulate daily GDU values until a specific threshold is reached (e.g., 300 GDU for maize silk emergence).

Growing Degree Units Calculator Usage Guide

Learn how to use the Growing Degree Units Calculator and its working principles

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the Base Temperature for your specific crop. This is the minimum temperature required for the plant to grow.
  2. Enter the Maximum Daily Temperature measured during the day.
  3. Enter the Minimum Daily Temperature measured during the night.
  4. Click the Calculate button to determine the daily GDU value.

Understanding Growing Degree Units

Growing Degree Units (GDUs) are a measure used to estimate the growth and development of plants based on temperature. They provide a standardized way to assess how temperature affects plant development across different climates and years.

Example Usage

For example, if your crop has a base temperature of 10°C, and you measure a high temperature of 25°C and a low temperature of 15°C on a particular day, the GDU for that day would be calculated as:

GDU = (25 + 15 - 10) / 2 = 15 GDU

Accumulating GDU for Development

To determine when a plant will reach specific developmental stages, you need to accumulate daily GDU values until a threshold is reached. For example:

  • Germination: 50-100 GDU
  • Silking in corn: 300 GDU
  • Flowering in cotton: 350 GDU
  • Harvest in soybeans: 800-1000 GDU

Note: Different crops have different base temperatures and GDU thresholds for various developmental stages. Always refer to specific crop management guides for accurate information.