heirloom seed project midterm

true-to-type

A plant that conforms exactly to the known characteristics of that particular variety; the basis or standard for comparison

toxin

A natural part of a plant, that when eaten, will make a person sick , or even kill them

viable

A seed that is alive, and will germinate under the right conditions.

stamen

The male portion of a plant which produces pollen; consists of the anther and filament.

selection

The process, either natural or with human intervention, by which plants displaying desirable characteristics are saved within a populations.

pollen

The male spores or dust-like grains of reproductive material produced by the anthers.

propagation

Increasing the numbers of plants by vegetative means OR b planting seeds

annual

Plants that are started from seed and produce seeds themselves in only one growing season.

biennial

Plants that require two growing seasons to complete their life cycle, usually exhibiting vegetative growth the first year and seeds the second

dormancy

A state in which seeds will not germinate, even under the most favorable conditions

bolt

The development of a long seed stalk, as in “hot weather caused the lettuce to…”

fermentation

The process by which microbes (usually fungi) decompose the slippery material around seeds; used to clean seeds and destroy seed-born diseases.

bulbil

A small aerial bulb that forms on the end of a stalk, and is capable of forming a new plant, commonly found on garlic and other alliums

asexual reproduction

Non-sexual reproduction, producing new plants from leaves, cuttings, tubers, etc

genetic erosion

The gradual yet persistent loss of genetic resources, often due to inbreeding, failure to save seeds properly, indifference, etc.

Germoplasm

The entire total of the hereditary material (inherited characteristics) within a species- say cucumbers.

genetic diversity

The sun total range of genetic differences displayed by plants of the same species- say beans

germination

The sprouting of a seed marking the beginning of plant growth

heirloom

A noon-hybrid vegetable variety that has been passed down from generation to generation, usually a long- time family or town favorite. e.g. Waldoboro Greenneck Rutabaga

Hybrid

The offspring of a cross between parent varieties (usually of the same species) that are genetically different

Ovary

The part of the pistil containing ovules (upon fertilization these are the plants seeds)

perfect flower

A flower that contains pistil ( female) and stamen (male) parts

isolation

Separating one plant or group from another to prevent any crossing. Usually expressed as a distance.

perennial

Any plant that lives more than two years, usually producing flowers and seeds from the same root year after year

Inbreeding Depression

Loss of vigor and variation due to crossing two genetically similar plants

open-pollination

Non-hybrid plants produced by crossing two parents from the same variety-will produce plants just like the parent plants