Ripening

The Ripening phase in Lentil represents the developmental period from LastGrainsFilled to HarvestRipe. This final reproductive phase covers physiological maturity through harvest ripeness.

Overview

The GenericPhase model simulates the ripening process using daily Thermal Time.

  • This phase starts at LastGrainsFilled and ends at HarvestRipe
  • All grains have completed their filling
  • Grains are maturing, becoming harder and less sensitive to environmental conditions
  • The model uses daily thermal time, retrieved from the [Phenology].ThermalTime function
  • Pod and plant material begin to senesce

Ripening Characteristics

During this phase:

  • Grains lose moisture and become harder (physiological hardening)
  • Pod color changes from green to brown/tan
  • Grain water content decreases below 20% (approaching harvest moisture)
  • Leaf senescence accelerates
  • Plant response to water and nutrient stress decreases
  • Crop is approaching harvest readiness

Cultivar-Specific Parameters

Cultivar-specific parameters that influence ripening duration:

Name Description Default Value
[Phenology].RipeningThermalTime Accumulated thermal time to reach harvest ripeness (°Cd) Variable by cultivar

Practical Considerations

Factors affecting ripening:

  1. Temperature: Warmer conditions speed up ripening
  2. Radiation: Adequate light supports final grain maturation processes
  3. Environmental conditions: Ripening is less sensitive to water stress once grains are mature
  4. Cultivar differences: Different cultivars have varying ripening times
  5. Harvest timing: Harvest should occur near crop maturity to minimize grain moisture

The model simulates ripening as the final maturation stage. Some cultivars ripen synchronously making harvest simpler, while others may ripen asynchronously requiring staged harvesting.