Agriculture Glossary
Balance of Nature
Popularized by George Perkins Marshall, the balance of nature posits that all living organisms are interconnected and maintain a state of equilibrium. While this notion has been dismissed by contemporary biological ecology, it remains significant among advocates of deep ecology.
Bioaccumulation
This term refers to the buildup of pollutants within an organism, also known as bioconcentration.
Biocentric Ethic
This principle emphasizes that nature itself, rather than humans, should be the central measure of value.
Biocide
An agent designed to eliminate multiple types of organisms within an environment.
Biodegradable
Materials that can be decomposed into fundamental elements through the action of bacteria or other microorganisms.
Biodiversity
The extent of species richness and genetic variability within a natural environment.
Biogas
Methane gas generated from the decomposition of organic materials such as animal manure, crop residues, and other biodegradable substances, usable as both fuel and fertilizer.
Biogeochemical Cycle
The movement and recycling of chemicals or nutrients between the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of the biosphere, involving elements like carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus.
Biological Amplification
The increasing concentration of pollutants in organisms as one moves up the food chain.
Biological Control
Utilizing natural predators or diseases to manage pest populations.
Biological Evolution
The genetic changes occurring within a species’ gene pool over time.
Biomass
All living material in a given area, including stored energy in organic forms such as wood.
Biomass Energy
Energy derived from plant materials.
Bioregion
An area defined by natural ecological systems, such as the watershed of a river.
Bioremediation
The restoration of a natural area by introducing living organisms, like plants or bacteria.
Biota
The collective plant and animal life within an ecosystem, often referred to as flora and fauna.
Biome
A large ecological zone characterized by distinct climate, geology, and organisms, such as deserts, tundras, grasslands, savannas, woodlands, coniferous forests, temperate deciduous forests, and tropical rainforests.
Biotechnology
The manipulation of living organisms to produce food, drugs, and other products for human use.
Bubble Policy
Allows polluters to discharge higher amounts of pollutants at one source if there is an equivalent reduction at another source.
Biological Control (Pests)
Using natural enemies to control pest populations, which includes importing natural predators, as well as augmenting and conserving existing ones.
Blue-Green Algae
These are photosynthetic prokaryotic organisms containing chlorophyll. They are obligate phototrophs that store cyanophycean starch and are non-symbiotic, free-living nitrogen fixers, thriving particularly well in waterlogged soils like rice fields.
Broadcasting
The distribution of agricultural inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers, and manure, evenly across the soil surface by hand or machinery.
Bund
An artificial earthen embankment constructed across sloping agricultural land to shorten the length of soil slopes, thereby reducing runoff and erosion.
Bund Former
A device used to create bunds or ridges by collecting soil, essential for conserving soil moisture and preventing runoff.
Balanced Ration
A diet that provides all necessary nutrients in the proper proportions and amounts needed by an animal for normal functioning and growth.
Bloating
Abnormal swelling of an animal’s abdomen due to excessive gas formation, which can be fatal.
Boar
A mature male hog used for breeding purposes.
Broiler
A chicken, typically of either sex, raised to about seven weeks of age for meat production.
Breeding Stock
Mature male and female livestock retained for the purpose of producing offspring.
Bench Terrace
A series of platforms or level benches cut into a hillside, separated by steep sides, used to make sloped land cultivable or stable.
Biodynamic Farming
A holistic agricultural system developed by Rudolph Steiner that seeks to integrate nature with cosmic creative forces, creating a farm organism in harmony with its environment. It uses compost and plant-derived sprays, avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Biofertilizer
Fertilizer containing microorganisms that render minerals available to plants, such as rhizobia, azotobacter, and PSB.
Horticulture Glossary
Drought-Resistant Crops
Cultivating crops like ber, custard apple, amla, and mango that require less water.
