Agriculture Glossary
Acclimation
The process by which an organism adjusts to changes in its environment, improving its survival.
Absolute Humidity
Absolute humidity refers to the actual amount of water vapor present by weight in a specific volume of air.
Acre-foot
An acre-foot is a unit of volume used to measure water, representing the volume that would cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot.
Acid Precipitation
Precipitation that contains harmful levels of sulfuric and nitric acids, often due to industrial pollution.
Acidophilous Plants
The plants which can grow in acidic soils (pH range 4.5-6.5).
Acid-Forming Fertilizer
This term applies to fertilizers that leave an acidic residue in the soil. The quantity of calcium carbonate required to neutralize this residue is termed its equivalent acidity.
Actinomycetes
A non-taxonomic term applied to a group of organisms with characteristics intermediate between the simple bacteria and the true fungi.
Active Ingredient
The active ingredient in a chemical formulation is the component directly responsible for its intended effects. In some herbicides, the entire molecule acts as the active ingredient, and its purity percentage indicates the active ingredient content. In other cases, herbicidal activity is measured on an acid equivalent basis.
Adaptation
The evolutionary process by which organisms become better suited to their environment.
Adjuvant
An adjuvant is an additive that enhances or modifies the action of the main ingredient in a chemical formulation.
Adsalt Sugarcane
Adsalt sugarcane refers to a variety of sugarcane that takes approximately 18 months to mature and is typically planted in July.
Afforestation
The planting of trees in an area where there was no previous tree cover.
Agricultural Statistics
Agricultural statistics involve the scientific methods used for collecting, organizing, summarizing, presenting, and analyzing data from agricultural experiments to draw valid conclusions and make informed decisions.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the human activity focused on producing food, fiber, fuel, and other products through the optimal use of terrestrial resources.
Agrihorticulture
Agrihorticulture is a form of agroforestry where fruit trees are incorporated. This system provides higher income per unit area by yielding fruits and offers a safety net in case of crop failure. Well-maintained orchards can generate more revenue than field crops and help protect degraded lands. The choice of fruit species depends on rainfall, and suitable soils for fruit growing are porous, aerated, and deep. These systems require significant initial investment and care.
Agroclimatic Region
An agroclimatic region is a geographical area within a country categorized into broadly homogeneous zones based on climatic and soil factors.
Agroecology
Agroecology is the comprehensive study of agroecosystems, including all environmental, agricultural, and human elements, their interactions, and the processes involved.
Agroecological Zone
An agroecological zone is a major land area with broadly homogeneous climatic and soil conditions where specific crops exhibit consistent biological behavior.
Agroforestry
An integrated approach to agriculture that incorporates the cultivation and conservation of trees alongside crops.
Agronomy
Derived from the Greek words “agros” (fields) and “nomos” (management), agronomy is a specialized branch of agriculture concerned with crop production and soil management.
Agrometeorology
Agrometeorology is the branch of meteorology that focuses on agricultural issues. It particularly deals with the surface layer of the atmosphere and variations in meteorological elements like rainfall, humidity, temperature, sunshine, wind velocity, and atmospheric pressure.
Agribusiness
Large-scale, industrialized agriculture operations often managed by corporations.
Agricultural Economy
An economic system primarily based on the production and management of crops and livestock.
Agricultural Revolution
A significant transformation in human history, occurring around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, when societies shifted from hunting and gathering to farming.
Air Pollution
The presence of harmful substances in the air, which can pose risks to human health and the environment. Major pollutants include carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen compounds, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide.
Alley Cropping
Alley cropping is a farming system where arable crops are grown in the alleys formed by rows of trees or shrubs. This system aims to enhance soil fertility and productivity. Trees and shrubs, often leguminous, tolerate heavy pruning and provide mulch, fodder, timber, and fuel. It is also known as venue cropping and hedgerow cropping.
Allogamy
Allogamy, or cross-pollination, occurs when pollen from the flowers of one plant fertilizes the flowers of another plant.
Allelopathy
Allelopathy refers to the direct or indirect harmful effects one plant has on another through the production of chemical compounds released into the environment.
Alluvial Soil
Alluvial soil forms from recent deposits by running water from streams and rivers, showing little to no horizon development. This soil type is crucial in India, derived from deposits from the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus tributaries. Alluvial soils vary greatly but generally include coastal alluvium and sands. The alluvium is categorized into khaddar (newer, sandy, and light-colored) and bhangar (older, more clayey, and stony). These soils range from sands to clays but may have drainage issues and hardpan formation, reducing fertility.
Alternative Agriculture
Farming practices that minimize chemical inputs and emphasize sustainable methods like crop rotation and reduced tillage.
Alternative Crops
Non-traditional crops grown to diversify agricultural production and income sources.
Alternative Drying and Wetting (Rice)
This practice involves frequent draining and reflooding of rice fields, creating aerobic and anaerobic cycles.
Alternative Energy
Energy derived from non-fossil fuel sources, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass.
Ambient
Refers to the surrounding environment or atmosphere.
Ancient Forests
Forests that have never been logged and typically contain very old trees, often over 250 years in age.
Annual Plants
Annual plants are those that complete their life cycle, from germination to the production of seeds, within one year or less.
Aquaculture
The practice of raising fish and other aquatic organisms for human consumption.
Aquatic Weeds
Aquatic weeds are plants that grow in water bodies like lakes and ponds.
Aquifer
An underground layer of water-bearing rock, gravel, or sand from which groundwater can be extracted.
Aquifer Depletion
The reduction of water in an aquifer due to excessive withdrawal compared to its natural recharge rate.
Arable Land
Land suitable for growing crops.
Arboricide
Arboricides are chemicals specifically formulated to kill trees or woody shrubs.
Arid
Characterized by a severe lack of rainfall, typically receiving less than 10 inches of rain per year.
Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination is a method of breeding animals by injecting semen into the female reproductive tract through non-natural means.
Arithmetic Growth
A pattern of growth that increases at a constant amount per unit of time.
Artificial Fertilizer
Synthetic chemicals applied to soil to enhance plant growth and crop yields.
Artificial Recharge
The process of adding water to an aquifer to increase its capacity.
Assimilative Capacity
The ability of a natural body of water to cleanse itself by absorbing and breaking down pollutants.
Appropriate Technology
Technological solutions that are labor-intensive, small-scale, and environmentally friendly, often utilizing renewable energy sources.
Horticulture Glossary
Additives
Substances added to products, particularly food, to improve or preserve them, which may pose health risks.
Aflatoxins
Toxic compounds produced by certain molds found in food, which can be carcinogenic.
