Pancyprian TS Org. Agriculture flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Growing degree days

Accumulated heat units above a crop-specific base temperature, calculated as the daily mean temperature minus the base temperature. Used to predict development stages, sowing dates and pest emergence.

Harvest index

Ratio of economic yield to total above-ground biological yield. A high harvest index means a larger share of plant biomass is partitioned into the harvested product.

Vernalization requirement

Exposure to low temperature needed before some plants, notably winter cereals, can flower. It determines whether autumn or spring sowing is appropriate for a cultivar.

Cation exchange capacity

The total quantity of exchangeable cations a soil can hold, expressed in cmol(+)/kg. It depends mainly on clay content, clay type and organic matter.

Base saturation

Percentage of the cation exchange capacity occupied by exchangeable calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. Low values indicate acidic soils needing lime.

Available water capacity

Water retained in soil between field capacity and permanent wilting point. It indicates how much water a soil can store for crop use.

Economic injury level

Pest population density at which the cost of control equals the value of crop loss. Control is justified only when populations are likely to exceed it.

Koch's postulates

Four criteria linking a pathogen to a disease: consistent association, isolation in pure culture, inoculation reproducing symptoms, and re-isolation of the same organism.

Critical period of weed control

Interval during crop growth when weeds must be controlled to prevent unacceptable yield loss. Weed competition outside this window has less impact on final yield.

Feed conversion ratio

Kilograms of feed consumed per kilogram of liveweight gain or product output. A lower ratio indicates more efficient conversion of feed into animal product.

Passive immunity transfer

Antibodies absorbed from colostrum during the first hours after birth. Failure of transfer leaves young animals vulnerable to neonatal infections and increases mortality.

Withdrawal period

Mandatory interval between the last administration of a veterinary medicine and the sale of milk, meat or eggs. It protects consumers from drug residues.

Gross margin

Gross output minus variable costs for an enterprise. Fixed costs are excluded, so gross margins compare the relative profitability of different enterprises.

Partial budget

Analytical table comparing added returns and reduced costs against added costs and reduced returns for a single proposed change. Only affected items are included.

Net present value

Sum of future cash flows discounted to the present using a chosen rate. A positive value indicates the investment returns more than the discount rate.

Crop coefficient

Factor multiplying reference evapotranspiration to estimate crop water use. It changes with crop growth stage and reflects canopy cover and ground conditions.

Irrigation application efficiency

Proportion of applied water stored in the crop root zone and available for use. Losses arise from runoff, deep percolation and evaporation.

Leaching requirement

Fraction of irrigation water that must pass below the root zone to keep soil salinity below a threshold. It increases with irrigation water salinity.

Cross-compliance

Condition linking CAP payments to compliance with statutory management requirements and good agricultural and environmental condition standards. Breaches can reduce payments.

Eco-schemes

Voluntary CAP payments supporting agricultural practices beneficial for climate, environment and animal welfare. They go beyond mandatory conditionality requirements.

CAP Strategic Plan

National document combining Pillar I and Pillar II interventions for the 2023–2027 period. It sets targets, measures and financing approved by the Commission.

Critical control point

Step in a food process where control is essential to prevent, eliminate or reduce a significant hazard to an acceptable level. It is monitored against critical limits.

Maximum residue limit

Highest legally permitted concentration of a pesticide residue in or on food or feed. It is set based on good agricultural practice and consumer safety assessment.

Traceability requirement

Obligation for food businesses to identify the supplier and the recipient of each product, one step back and one step forward. It enables recalls and investigations.

Nitrates Directive limit

Maximum of 170 kg nitrogen from livestock manure applied per hectare per year in nitrate vulnerable zones. Derogations may allow higher rates under conditions.

Riparian buffer strip

Vegetated strip between cropland and a watercourse. It traps sediment, nutrients and pesticides in runoff and supports biodiversity along the water edge.

Integrated pest management

Approach prioritising prevention, monitoring and non-chemical control, with pesticides used only when thresholds are exceeded. It is required under EU pesticide rules.

Proportionality principle

Requirement that administrative measures be suitable for their aim, necessary because no less restrictive means exists, and not excessive for the affected party.

Right to be heard

Principle obliging an administration to let affected persons present their views before an adverse decision is taken. Breach can invalidate the decision.

Duty to give reasons

Obligation for administrative decisions to state the factual and legal grounds on which they rest. It enables effective review and protects the affected party.

Conflict of interest

Situation in which an official's personal or financial interest could influence official duties. The official must declare it and withdraw from the matter.

Administrative act

Unilateral decision by a competent public authority exercising public power, producing legal effects for identified persons. It must have a legal basis and be notified.