Main growth stages: Reproductive phase

Plant development progresses through distinct phases: vegetative growth, followed by a reproductive phase and eventually seed set and senescence.

It is normally only during the adult vegetative phase that plants are capable of forming reproductive organs, and day length-dependent plants can be induced to flower by photoperiodic induction during this phase.

Reproductive phase commences as the plant begins to flower but biomass production can continue if soil moisture is available and temperature is below 30ºC. Flowering can recommence if rain follows high temperatures. Maximal reproductive success depends on the timing of flowering—and on balancing the number of seeds produced with resources allocated to individual seeds.

Flowering in vetch is indeterminate, occurring from axillary buds on the main stem and branches. It proceeds from lower to higher nodes. Each flower produces a pod containing multiple seeds. Flowers consist of reproductive organs that are surrounded by specialized leaves called sepals and petals. Brightly colored petals can attract animal pollinators. A flower is pollinated when a pollen grain reaches the tip of the female reproductive structure.

For soybean plant, the biological cycle is divided into the vegetative and reproductive phases. The reproductive stage begins with the appearance of first floral buds in soybean varieties of determinate growth habit, or the appearance of the first raceme in varieties of indeterminate growth habit. The reproductive phase ends at harvest.

For rice plant, the first sign that the plant is getting ready to enter its reproductive phase is a bulging of the leaf stem that conceals the developing panicle, called the ‘booting’ stage. Then the tip of the developing panicle emerges from the stem and continues to grow.
Main growth stages: Reproductive phase

Growth stage: The vegetative phase

Plant development progresses through distinct phases: vegetative growth, followed by a reproductive phase and eventually seed set and senescence.

The vegetative stage refers to the developmental period comprising leaf growth and development. The vegetative stage begins with the emergence of the first leaf.

Vegetative development includes:
*Seed germination: From a heterotrophic to a photosynthetically-competent seedling
*Development of the Vegetative plant: Indeterminate growth regulated by environmental factors

During this period, plants generally rapidly increase their photosynthetic capacity and their size and mass. This vegetative mode of growth can be further divided into a juvenile and an adult vegetative phase.

In flowering plant vetch, the vegetative stage is determined by counting the number of developed nodes on the main stem, above ground level. Vegetative nodes are counted from the point at which the first true leaves are attached to the stem. The last node counted must have its leaves unfolded.

Mango vegetative growth is characterized by the production of growth units (GUs) defined as the portions of shoot developed during an uninterrupted period of growth.
Growth stage: The vegetative phase