GDU Calculator
Calculate Growing Degree Units for crop development and harvest planning
Calculate Growing Degree Units
Temperature Unit
Crop Type
Field corn (Zea mays) - Base temp: 10°C, Max temp: 30°C
Daily Temperatures
Highest temperature during the day
Lowest temperature during the day
Crop Parameters
Minimum temperature for crop growth
Temperature above which growth slows
Time Period
Calculate cumulative GDU over multiple days
GDU Results
Daily GDU
Cumulative GDU (1 days)
Corn Growth Requirements
Formula used: GDU = (T_max + T_min) ÷ 2 - T_base
Calculation: (0.0°C + 0.0°C) ÷ 2 - 10.0°C = 0.0 GDU
Temperature limits applied: Min: 10.0°C, Max: 30.0°C
Growth Analysis
Example Calculation
Corn Growth Example
Crop: Corn (base temperature: 10°C)
Daily maximum temperature: 25°C
Daily minimum temperature: 15°C
Maximum growing temperature: 30°C
Calculation Steps
1. Average daily temperature: (25°C + 15°C) ÷ 2 = 20°C
2. Apply temperature limits: No adjustment needed (within range)
3. Calculate GDU: 20°C - 10°C = 10 GDU
4. Result: 10 Growing Degree Units for the day
Crop Base Temperatures
Corn: 10°C
100-120 GDU to emerge
Wheat: 4°C
150 GDU to emerge
Soybeans: 10°C
80 GDU to emerge
Cotton: 15.5°C
50 GDU to emerge
Rice: 10°C
100 GDU to emerge
Growth Stages
Planting
Seed germination
Emergence
First leaves appear
Vegetative
Leaf and stem growth
Reproductive
Flowering period
Maturation
Grain/fruit filling
Harvest
Ready for harvest
GDU Tips
Use weather station data for accurate temperatures
Track GDU accumulation from planting date
Adjust base temperature for different crop varieties
Use GDU to predict harvest timing
Compare different growing locations
Understanding Growing Degree Units (GDU)
What are GDUs?
Growing Degree Units (GDU), also known as Growing Degree Days (GDD), measure heat accumulation used to predict crop development stages. GDUs help farmers optimize planting schedules, predict harvest timing, and manage crop growth effectively.
Why are GDUs Important?
- •Predict crop development stages accurately
- •Optimize planting and harvest schedules
- •Adapt farming practices to regional climates
- •Protect crops from adverse conditions
GDU Formula Explanation
GDU = (T_max + T_min) ÷ 2 - T_base
- T_max: Daily maximum temperature
- T_min: Daily minimum temperature
- T_base: Base temperature (crop-specific)
- Temperature limits: Applied to prevent overestimation
Base Temperature
The base temperature is the minimum temperature below which crop growth does not occur. It varies by crop species and is critical for accurate GDU calculations.
Temperature Limits
GDU calculations apply upper and lower temperature limits. Temperatures below the base temperature don't contribute to growth, while temperatures above the maximum growing temperature are capped to prevent overestimation of heat accumulation.