Soil Science

Soil Profile - The vertical section of soil from the surface to the parent material.

Soil Horizons - Layers of soil with distinct characteristics (O, A, E, B, C).

Soil Fertility - The ability of soil to provide essential nutrients to plants.

Organic Matter - Decomposed plant and animal material that improves soil structure and fertility.

pH - A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity.

Crops and Cultivation

Monoculture - The cultivation of a single crop species over a large area.

Polyculture - The cultivation of multiple crop species in the same area.

Crop Rotation - The practice of growing different crops in succession on the same land to improve soil health and reduce pests.

Hybrid Seeds - Seeds produced by cross-breeding two different varieties or species to obtain desired traits.

Transplanting - Moving seedlings from a nursery to the field.

Pest and Disease Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - A holistic approach to managing pests using biological, cultural, and chemical methods.

Pesticide - Chemicals used to kill or control pests.

Disease Resistance - The ability of a plant to resist diseases.

Beneficial Insects - Insects that help control pest populations, such as ladybugs and predatory beetles.

Fungicide - A chemical used to kill or inhibit the growth of fungi.

Agricultural Practices

Tillage - The preparation of soil for planting by mechanical agitation.

Irrigation - The artificial application of water to crops.

Drip Irrigation - A method of irrigation that delivers water directly to the plant roots through a system of tubing.

Rainfed Agriculture - Agriculture that relies on natural rainfall for crop growth.

Conservation Tillage - Tillage practices that reduce soil erosion and improve soil health.

Agricultural Economics

Subsidy - Financial assistance provided by the government to support agriculture.

Market Price - The price at which a commodity is traded in the market.

Supply Chain - The sequence of processes involved in the production and distribution of a commodity.

Crop Insurance - Insurance coverage for losses due to natural disasters, pests, or diseases.

Farm Gate Price - The price received by farmers for their produce at the farm level.

Animal Husbandry

Breeding - The process of mating selected animals to produce offspring with desired traits.

Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) - The efficiency with which animals convert feed into body mass.

Livestock - Domesticated animals raised for meat, milk, wool, etc.

Vaccination - The administration of vaccines to protect animals from diseases.

Pasture Management - The practice of managing grazing land to ensure the health and productivity of both the land and animals.

Agroforestry

Agroforestry - The integration of trees and shrubs into crop and livestock systems.

Silvopasture - A type of agroforestry that combines forestry with pastureland.

Alley Cropping - Growing crops between rows of trees or shrubs.

Windbreaks - Rows of trees planted to protect crops from wind and erosion.

Multistrata Farming - Cultivating multiple layers of plants, such as trees and crops, in the same area.

Sustainable Agriculture

Organic Farming - Farming that avoids synthetic chemicals and uses natural processes to maintain soil fertility and control pests.

Permaculture - A design system for creating sustainable agricultural ecosystems.

Soil Conservation - Practices to prevent soil erosion and maintain soil health.

Biodiversity - The variety of plant and animal life in an area, which is crucial for ecosystem health.

Carbon Sequestration - The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in soil and vegetation.

Agricultural Engineering

Precision Agriculture - Farming that uses technology to monitor and manage field variability in crops.

Tractor - A powerful vehicle used for various agricultural tasks, including plowing and planting.

Harvesting Machinery - Equipment used to collect crops from the fields, such as combine harvesters.

Greenhouse - A structure used to grow plants in a controlled environment.

Post-Harvest Technology - Techniques and equipment used to process and preserve crops after harvest.