Assam ASSEB HSLC NSQF Agriculture and Horticulture key terms

The branch of agriculture that deals with growing field crops and managing the soil, water, and land on which they grow. It covers crop selection, sowing, nutrition, and harvesting practices.

The science and art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants, usually on smaller, intensively managed plots. It includes nursery raising, pruning, and post-harvest handling of perishable produce.

A vertical section of soil from the surface down to the parent rock, showing distinct layers called horizons. Each horizon differs in colour, texture, and organic matter content.

A distinct layer within a soil profile, such as the topsoil A horizon or the subsoil B horizon. Horizons form through the downward movement of clay, minerals, and organic matter.

The slow process by which rock breaks down and organic matter accumulates to produce soil. It is driven by climate, parent material, relief, organisms, and time acting together.

The physical, chemical, and biological breakdown of rocks at or near the earth's surface. Physical weathering includes heating and cooling; chemical weathering includes dissolution and oxidation; biological weathering involves roots and microbes.

The relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles in a soil. Texture controls water holding, drainage, aeration, and workability, and is the basis of the soil textural triangle classification.

The arrangement of soil particles into aggregates or crumbs, creating pore spaces. Good structure improves aeration, water infiltration, and root penetration, while poor structure causes crusting and compaction.

A balanced soil containing moderate amounts of sand, silt, and clay, often considered ideal for most crops. It holds moisture and nutrients well while still draining and aerating properly.

A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 neutral. pH strongly affects nutrient availability; most crops grow best between pH 6.0 and 7.0.

The capacity of soil to supply essential plant nutrients in available forms and adequate amounts. Fertility depends on nutrient reserves, organic matter, pH, and soil biological activity.

Material of plant or animal origin, such as farmyard manure, compost, or green manure, added to soil to supply nutrients and improve its physical condition. It releases nutrients slowly and builds organic matter.

The practice of growing a leafy crop such as dhaincha and ploughing it into the soil while still green. It adds organic matter and nitrogen, improving soil fertility and structure.

The process by which green plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make sugars, releasing oxygen. Chlorophyll in leaves captures light energy for this food-making reaction.

The loss of water vapour from plant leaves through small openings called stomata. It drives water and nutrient movement up the plant and helps cool the leaf surface.

An irreversible increase in plant size caused by cell division and cell enlargement. It is measured in height, leaf area, or biomass and is influenced by light, water, nutrients, and temperature.

A distinct phase in a crop's life cycle, such as germination, tillering, flowering, or grain filling. Each stage has different water, nutrient, and pest management needs.

The pattern of crops and their sequence and management on a given field over time. Examples include sole cropping, intercropping, and multiple cropping, chosen to suit local soil and climate.

Growing different crops in a planned sequence on the same field over successive seasons. It helps maintain soil fertility, breaks pest and disease cycles, and reduces weed pressure.

A grass grown mainly for its edible starchy grain, such as rice, wheat, and maize. Cereals are staple foods and in Assam rice is the dominant cereal crop.

A legume crop grown for its dry edible seeds, such as lentil, black gram, and pigeon pea. Pulses enrich soil nitrogen through root nodule bacteria and are important protein sources.

A crop grown for oil extracted from its seeds or fruits, such as mustard, rapeseed, and groundnut. Oil cakes left after extraction are useful livestock feed and manure.

The planned care of a fruit plantation, covering planting layout, training and pruning, manuring, irrigation, and harvesting. Good management ensures healthy trees and regular, quality fruit yields.

The deliberate removal of plant branches, shoots, or roots to shape growth, improve light entry, or remove diseased parts. In fruit trees it balances vegetative growth with fruit production.

A combined strategy using cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods to keep pest populations below damaging levels. It relies on monitoring and uses pesticides only when necessary.

The use of living organisms, such as predators, parasitoids, or pathogens, to suppress pest populations. It is a key component of integrated pest management and reduces reliance on chemical sprays.

An abnormal condition caused by pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, or nematodes, or by environmental stress. Symptoms include spots, wilting, blights, and stunting that reduce yield.

The mechanical working of soil by ploughing, harrowing, or hoeing to prepare a seedbed. It loosens soil, controls weeds, and mixes in residues, but excessive tillage can damage structure.

A tool or machine used to carry out farm operations, such as a plough, harrow, seed drill, or sprayer. Implements may be drawn by animals or mounted on tractors.

The artificial supply of water to crops when rainfall is insufficient. Methods include surface flow, sprinkler, and drip systems, and scheduling must match crop water demand.

Practices that protect soil from erosion and degradation, such as contour bunding, terracing, cover cropping, and reduced tillage. These measures preserve topsoil and long-term productivity.

A farm plan that combines crops with livestock, poultry, fish, or other enterprises so that wastes from one become inputs for another. It spreads risk and raises income per unit area.

Rearing several fish species with different feeding habits together in one pond, such as surface, column, and bottom feeders. This uses all pond niches and increases total yield.

A small business based on farm produce or inputs, such as a rice mill, nursery, mushroom unit, or food processing venture. It adds value to raw produce and creates rural employment.

The planning, organising, and controlling of farm resources, including land, labour, capital, and machinery, to achieve profitable production. It involves decisions on what to grow and how to allocate inputs.

All activities involved in moving farm produce from the field to the consumer, including grading, storage, transport, and sale. Efficient marketing improves the farmer's share of the final price.

Farming that meets current food needs without depleting soil, water, and biodiversity for future generations. It combines productivity with resource conservation, reduced chemical dependence, and stable livelihoods.

A production system that avoids synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, relying instead on organic manures, crop rotation, and biological pest control. Certification requires records showing compliance with defined standards.

A planned experiment carried out in the field to compare treatments such as varieties, fertiliser doses, or pest control methods. It uses replication and randomisation so results are reliable.