A note on phenological observations in India

Abstract

The phenological organization and observational programme in India are described in the paper. Phenological data pertaining to mango and neem are discussed, Both the trees flower during winter and the flowering commences not from the extreme tip of the peninsula as might be expected but round about latitude 15°N, mango starting on the east coast and neem on the west coast. In both trees it takes about 10 weeks for the flowering to reach the foot of the Himalayas, broadly in conformity with Hopkins' 'Bioclimatic Law'. The practical uses of the study of phenology and the need to expand the phenological programme are pointed out.