Agriculture Glossary
Pasteurization
Pasteurization involves heating milk to kill harmful pathogens without altering its physical or chemical properties.
Permanent Wilting Point
The permanent wilting point is when a plant is so dehydrated that it cannot recover, even when placed in a humid environment and watered.
Pest
A pest is any organism that damages plants or plant products.
pH
The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of soil or water, with a range of 6 to 7.5 being ideal for most agricultural crops.
Pig
A pig is a young swine weighing less than 120 pounds.
Pollination
Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of a flower.
Pomology
Pomology is the science of growing fruit.
Poult
A poult is a young turkey.
Poultry
Poultry refers to domestic birds raised for eggs and meat.
Precooling
Precooling rapidly cools fruits or vegetables before shipping to maintain freshness.
Productive Soil
Productive soil has favorable chemical, physical, and biological conditions for economically viable crop production.
Pullet
A pullet is a female chicken less than one year old.
Parasite
A parasite is an organism that lives on or in another organism, causing harm.
Particulate Matter
Particulate matter consists of tiny solid particles like dust or soot suspended in the air, posing health risks.
Pathogen
A pathogen is an agent that causes disease.
Pesticide Resistance
Pesticide resistance occurs when pests are no longer affected by a specific pesticide.
Pesticide Treadmill
The pesticide treadmill describes the cycle of increasing pesticide use to maintain effectiveness as pests develop resistance.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants use sunlight to convert air and water into food.
Pasteurization
Pasteurization is the process of heating milk to eliminate harmful pathogens.
Pasture
A pasture is a fenced area of forage, typically improved, where animals graze.
Pesticide
Pesticides include substances like fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and nematicides used to control pests.
Perennial
A perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years.
Permanent Pasture
Permanent pasture consists of perennial or self-seeding annual plants maintained for several years through grazing.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process through which plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into food.
Polled
Polled cattle are naturally hornless.
Progeny
Progeny refers to the offspring of a plant or animal.
Parboiling (Rice)
Parboiling rice involves soaking, steaming, and drying paddy before milling, making husk removal easier and improving grain quality and nutrient retention.
Parthenocarpy
Parthenocarpy is the development of fruit without fertilization, leading to seedless fruit production.
Pathogen
A pathogen is a microorganism or virus that feeds parasitically on a host organism, causing injury.
Physical Dormancy
Physical dormancy is caused by an impermeable seed coat preventing germination.
Plant Quarantine
Plant quarantine restricts the movement and production of plants and plant materials to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
Post-Emergence Application
Post-emergence application refers to applying weed killers after crops have emerged from the soil.
Productivity
Productivity measures the real output produced by input units of labor and capital.
Horticulture Glossary
Drought-Resistant Crops
Cultivating crops like ber, custard apple, amla, and mango that require less water.
