BSEB Inter Agriculture key terms

The branch of agriculture that studies how to grow field crops and manage soil, water, and nutrients for high, sustained yields. It combines crop science with soil and climate management.

The number of crops raised on the same piece of land in one agricultural year, expressed as a percentage of the net sown area. It measures how intensively land is used.

Growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field in separate rows or strips. It spreads risk and uses light, water, and nutrients more efficiently than a sole crop.

A planned sequence of different crops on the same land over successive seasons. It interrupts pest and disease cycles, balances nutrient use, and helps maintain soil structure.

Sowing seeds of two or more crops together in the same field without a definite row arrangement. It gives some yield security but complicates harvesting and fertilizer management.

A leguminous or other leafy crop grown and then ploughed into the soil while still green to add organic matter and, in legumes, biologically fixed nitrogen for the next crop.

The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles in a soil. Texture governs water holding, drainage, aeration, and workability, and it cannot be changed easily by management.

The arrangement of soil particles into aggregates and the pore space between them. Good structure improves root growth, aeration, and infiltration and can be improved by organic matter.

The water content remaining in a soil after excess gravitational water has drained away and drainage has nearly stopped. It is the upper limit of water readily available to plants.

The portion of soil water held between field capacity and the permanent wilting point that plant roots can absorb. It depends mainly on soil texture and organic matter.

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into plant-usable nitrogen compounds. It occurs biologically in root nodules of legumes and by free-living microbes, and industrially in fertilizer manufacture.

A genus of soil bacteria that forms nodules on legume roots and converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia for the host plant. Inoculating seed with it reduces nitrogen fertilizer need.

A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of soil on a 0 to 14 scale. It controls nutrient availability, microbial activity, and the choice of crops and amendments such as lime or gypsum.

The proportion of total phenotypic variation in a trait that is due to genetic differences among individuals in a population. High heritability permits effective selection in early generations.

A population of plants that is genetically uniform and homozygous because it has been self-pollinated for many generations. Continued selection within a pure line gives no further genetic gain.

The superior performance in yield, vigour, or stress tolerance of a cross between genetically different parents compared with either parent. Also called heterosis; it is exploited in hybrid seed production.

Transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant. It increases homozygosity and is typical of crops such as wheat, rice, and tomato.

The proportion of seeds in a sample that produce normal seedlings under specified test conditions. It is a key quality parameter used to decide sowing rate and seed lot acceptability.

The capacity of a seed to live, germinate, and develop into a normal seedling. Viability declines with age and poor storage and is tested by germination or tetrazolium tests.

A state in which viable seeds fail to germinate even under favourable conditions because of hard seed coats, immature embryos, or chemical inhibitors. It delays germination until conditions favour survival.

A legally recognised quality-control system in which seed of a variety is inspected in the field and laboratory and labelled by class, guaranteeing genetic identity and purity to the buyer.

A specially prepared and managed area where young plants are raised from seed or cuttings and cared for until they are large enough to transplant into the main field.

Moving seedlings or young plants from a nursery bed to the main field at a recommended spacing and age. It improves crop stand uniformity and allows better use of nursery care.

Deliberate removal of plant parts such as branches, shoots, or roots to shape growth, improve light penetration, remove diseased wood, and regulate fruit yield and quality.

Joining a scion, the desired fruiting shoot, onto a rootstock so they unite and grow as one plant. It propagates cultivars that do not breed true and can confer vigour or disease resistance.

A decision-based approach that combines resistant varieties, cultural methods, biological control, and judicious pesticide use to keep pests below economic injury levels with least harm to the environment.

The pest population density at which control measures should be applied to prevent the population from reaching the level where economic yield loss occurs. It guides pesticide decisions.

Suppression of pest populations by their natural enemies such as predators, parasitoids, and pathogens. It is a core component of integrated pest management and reduces reliance on chemicals.

A set of steps proving that a specific microorganism causes a disease: it must be found in diseased plants, isolated, grown in pure culture, and reinoculated to reproduce the same symptoms.

The first milky secretion produced by a mammal after giving birth. It is rich in antibodies and nutrients and must be fed to newborn calves within the first hours of life for immunity.

The total feed given to an animal in 24 hours. A balanced ration supplies energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins in proportions that meet the animal's maintenance and production needs.

The difference between gross income from an enterprise and its variable costs. It helps farmers compare enterprises and plan cropping or livestock combinations without allocating fixed costs.

The total expenditure incurred in raising a crop, including seed, fertilizer, irrigation, labour, machinery, and interest. It is used to assess profitability and set support prices.

A written plan of expected income and expenditure for a farm for a given period. It is used to test the financial feasibility of alternative plans before they are adopted.

Mechanical manipulation of soil by tools and implements to prepare a seedbed, control weeds, and manage crop residues. It affects soil structure, moisture, and erosion.

Sowing a crop directly into undisturbed soil with minimal or no ploughing. It conserves moisture, saves fuel and labour, and reduces erosion, but requires effective weed management.

A land-use system in which trees or shrubs are grown together with crops or livestock on the same land. It diversifies income and improves soil, water, and microclimate.

Handling stalks, straw, and other plant material left after harvest, by mulching, incorporating, composting, or using it as fodder, instead of burning it in the field.