Comprehensive Survey of Growing Degree Days (GDD) by Growth Stage for Cabbage

Overview

GDD knowledge is important for cabbage growth management and harvest timing. However, no standard GDD values subdivided by growth stage (germination/seedling, vegetative growth, heading, flowering, maturation/harvest) are published in Japanese or international primary sources. Major technical reports and cultivation guides use total GDD from transplanting to harvest as the practical indicator, with growth essentially stopping below base temperature (usually 5°C) [1][2][3][4].

Below, optimal temperatures and standard day lengths per stage are summarized, then GDD is estimated from typical temperature conditions. Variation among cultivars and environments and estimation methodology are also discussed.

GDD Calculation Basics

• Base temperature: 5°C is used for cabbage GDD (Tb = 5°C). Little growth below 5°C [1][2][3][5].
• Optimal range: Generally 13–25°C. Growth nearly stops above 30°C or below 5°C [1][2][3].
• Calculation: Subtract 5°C from daily mean temperature and sum over the growth period.
  • Example: mean 15°C → GDD = 15 − 5 = 10 per day
• Total GDD (transplant to harvest): Mainly 1350–1400°C for winter cabbage (base 5°C) [4][5].
• Stage subdivision: Stage GDD estimated from standard day lengths and optimal temperatures per stage.

Temperature, Period, and GDD by Growth Stage

1. Germination/Seedling (germination to 2–4 true leaves, sowing to transplant)

• Standard period: 2–5 days to germination; 3–4 weeks seedling (~25 days total) [1][2][3]
• Optimal temperature: Germination 20–25°C (≥15°C required); seedling daytime 15–20°C, night 5–10°C [1][2][3]
• Estimated GDD
  • Example: mean 15°C for 25 days (September sowing)
    • GDD/day = 10, total = 250°C·days (estimate)

2. Vegetative Growth (outer leaf expansion)

• Standard period: First 25–40 days after transplant with active outer leaf expansion [1][3][5]
• Optimal temperature: Daytime 15–20°C [1][3][5]
• Estimated GDD
  • Example: mean 16°C for 30 days
    • GDD/day = 11, total = 330°C·days (estimate)

3. Heading (head formation)

• Standard period: About 30–40 days from heading start to completion [1][2][4][5]
• Optimal temperature: 13–20°C (optimal around 15°C) [1][3][4]
• Estimated GDD
  • Example: mean 14°C for 35 days
    • GDD/day = 9, total = 315°C·days (estimate)

4. Flowering

• Notes: Commercial cabbage is harvested before flowering; GDD for this stage is usually unnecessary. Low temperature (5–7°C) for one month or more induces flower bud differentiation [1][4].
• GDD: Field and literature do not manage GDD to flowering.

5. Maturation / Harvest

• Standard period: About 10–20 days from heading completion to harvest [2][4]
• Optimal temperature: 13–20°C (avoid strong heat or cold) [2][4]
• Estimated GDD
  • Example: mean 14°C for 15 days
    • GDD/day = 9, total = 135°C·days (estimate)

Summary of Estimates

Stage	Period (days)	GDD (estimate, °C·days)
Germination–seedling	25	250
Vegetative growth	30	330
Heading	35	315
Maturation/harvest	15	135
Total	105	930

Try it in your region

See how these GDD requirements apply to your local weather data. Simulate Cabbage cultivation →

• *In the field, total GDD often reaches 1200–1400°C (by cultivar and cropping system), especially in cold regions and winter crops [4][5].
• *Estimates are from standard periods and temperatures in literature; actual values vary with season and weather; winter cabbage accumulates GDD more slowly in cold weather.

Cultivar and Environmental Variation

• Cultivar differences: Spring, autumn, and winter types differ in growth period and required GDD (spring types grow faster and may harvest with lower GDD) [4][5].
• Environment and cropping system: Winter growth is slow and requires more GDD; spring/summer types grow faster. GDD progression varies greatly with sowing date and weather [4][5].

Estimation Limitations

• Estimates use standard period and optimal mean temperature as a virtual average; field measurements may differ greatly with season, weather, and soil.
• Major literature does not set practical GDD thresholds subdividing before/after heading initiation [2][4][5].
• Total GDD from transplant to harvest (1350–1400°C) is the main indicator; fine subdivision is more common for broccoli and cauliflower targeting flowering/fruit set.

Practical Use and Outlook

• Farms mainly use base 5°C and total growth-period GDD for sowing-to-harvest timing and cropping system adjustment.
• Stage-subdivided GDD serves as reference; combine with visual growth stage observation.
• GDD modeling and AI prediction by cultivar, weather, and sowing date are advancing but coexist with field judgment [4][5].

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Conclusion

• Cabbage cultivation is managed with total GDD of 1200–1400°C (base 5°C) from transplant to harvest.
• No published standard GDD per growth stage in Japan or internationally; this report estimated from literature data.
• Large variation by cultivar, cropping system, region, and year requires flexible use with field observation.

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Sources

[1] Takii cabbage cultivation manual: https://www.takii.co.jp/tsk/manual/kyabetsu.html
[2] Cabbage - BSI Bio: https://bsikagaku.jp/cultivation/cabbage.pdf
[3] Spring cabbage seedling management | JA Kasuya: https://www.ja-kasuya.or.jp/vegetable/春まきキャベツ　育苗管理が肝心
[4] Development of April-harvest cropping system for Kan-tama cabbage: https://hyogo-nourinsuisangc.jp/18-panel/pdf/2019/05.pdf
[5] Cultivation adaptability of field vegetables in Isahaya Bay reclamation, Nagasaki: https://www.pref.nagasaki.jp/e-nourin/nougi/theme/research_report/PDF/33-4.pdf