BGCSE Field Crop Production 1256 key terms

The process in which a seed absorbs water, its embryo resumes growth, and a young shoot and root emerge from the seed coat, provided temperature, moisture, and oxygen conditions are suitable.

A resting condition in which a viable seed or bud fails to grow even when conditions are favourable, often protecting the plant until a suitable season or after-ripening period arrives.

The proportion of seeds in a sample that are alive and capable of germinating when given adequate moisture, warmth, and oxygen; usually expressed as a percentage.

The process by which green plants use sunlight energy to combine carbon dioxide and water into sugars, releasing oxygen; these sugars supply energy for growth and yield.

The loss of water vapour from plant leaves through small pores called stomata, which draws water and dissolved nutrients upward from the roots and cools the plant.

The total area of green leaves above a unit area of ground; it indicates how much light the crop canopy can intercept and therefore how much photosynthesis is possible.

The upper layer of a crop formed by its leaves and stems, which intercepts sunlight, shades the soil, and influences weed competition, airflow, and evaporation.

The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles in a soil, which determine how well it holds water and nutrients and how easily it can be worked.

The way soil particles clump together into crumbs and aggregates, creating pore spaces that allow air, water, and roots to move through the soil profile.

The amount of water a soil holds after excess water has drained away by gravity, leaving the soil moist but well aerated; this is the upper limit of water available to crops.

The moisture level at which a soil holds water so tightly that plant roots can no longer extract it, causing the crop to wilt permanently unless water is added.

A measure of how acidic or alkaline a soil is on a scale from 0 to 14; it strongly affects the availability of plant nutrients and the health of soil organisms.

A nutrient that plants need in relatively large amounts for healthy growth, namely nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulphur.

A nutrient that plants require only in very small amounts, such as iron, zinc, copper, manganese, boron, and molybdenum, yet is essential for normal growth.

The application of ground limestone or similar material to raise soil pH, reduce acidity, and improve nutrient availability, often benefiting crops sensitive to acid conditions.

The method of putting fertilizer where crop roots can reach it efficiently, such as in a band beside the seed or a side-dressing, reducing waste and nutrient loss.

The downward movement of soluble nutrients and other substances through the soil with draining water, which can remove fertilizer from the root zone and pollute groundwater.

The mechanical working of soil by digging, ploughing, or harrowing to prepare a seedbed, control weeds, and loosen compacted layers before planting.

The prepared surface layer of soil in which seeds are sown; a good seedbed is level, free of large clods, moist enough for germination, and firm around the seed.

The squeezing together of soil particles so that pore spaces shrink, making it hard for roots to penetrate and reducing air and water movement within the soil.

The quantity of seed sown per unit area of land, chosen to achieve a target plant population while accounting for seed viability and expected field losses.

The number of plants of a crop growing per unit area, which influences competition for light and water and therefore affects yield and crop quality.

The removal of excess young plants from a row so that the remaining plants have enough space, light, water, and nutrients to grow into strong, productive individuals.

Covering the soil surface with organic or synthetic material to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, moderate soil temperature, and protect the soil from erosion.

Deciding when and how much water to apply to a crop, based on soil moisture, crop needs, and weather, so that water is used efficiently and plants are not stressed.

A water-efficient method that delivers water slowly and directly to the root zone through small emitters along pipes, reducing evaporation and wetting of weeds.

A surface method in which water flows along small channels between crop rows and soaks into the soil, requiring careful levelling to avoid uneven distribution.

A combined approach to pest control that uses monitoring, resistant varieties, cultural practices, biological control, and careful pesticide use to keep pests below damaging levels.

The pest population level at which the cost of control measures is justified by the value of crop damage that would otherwise occur, guiding spray decisions.

The struggle between weeds and crops for light, water, nutrients, and space, which reduces crop growth and yield if weeds are not controlled early.

A chemical product used to kill or suppress weeds, applied selectively so that the crop is not harmed, and requiring correct dose, timing, and safety precautions.

A visible sign or measured value, such as colour change, dry matter content, or days after sowing, used to judge when a crop is ready for harvest.

The amount of water present in harvested produce, expressed as a percentage of its weight; it must be reduced to a safe level before storage to prevent spoilage.

The reduction in quantity or quality of harvested produce caused by poor handling, drying, storage, pests, or transport before it reaches the consumer.

The planned growing of different crops in sequence on the same land to break pest and disease cycles, manage fertility, and protect soil health.

A crop grown mainly to protect and improve the soil rather than for harvest, reducing erosion, adding organic matter, and suppressing weeds between main crops.

The difference between the income from a crop and the variable costs of producing it, used to compare the profitability of different enterprises on a farm.

The systematic writing down of farm activities, inputs, costs, yields, and sales so that the farmer can plan, monitor performance, and make informed decisions.

The level of output or price at which total income exactly equals total costs, meaning the enterprise makes neither a profit nor a loss.