Master notes

Pedigreed Seed

Seed of a specific variety that has documentation proving its history back to the breeder's seed.

Hierarchy of Pedigreed Seed

Consists of five classes: Breeder, Select, Foundation, Registered, and Certified.

Continuous Cropping

Growing the same crop without rotation, which is common in Saskatchewan.

Crop Rotation

The act of growing different crop types on the same area of land.

Intercropping

Growing more than one type of crop simultaneously in the same field.

Land Equivalency Ratio (LER)

A formula that measures the productivity of intercropped yields compared to sole-crop yields.

Green Manure Crops

Crops incorporated into the soil to improve fertility by adding nutrients and organic matter.

Nitrogen Fixation

A symbiotic interaction where Rhizobium bacteria and legumes convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants.

Direct Seeding

A method where crops are established with minimal soil disturbance, preserving soil structure.

Zero Tillage

Crops are established in undisturbed soil, with less than 35% of the surface disturbed.

Cover Crops

Crops grown to cover the soil when it would otherwise be bare, improving soil health.

Hybrid Canola

A variety of canola developed through hybridization, often used for its herbicide tolerance traits.

Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance

Laws that govern the inheritance of traits from one generation to the next.

Saskatchewan Agricultural Land Use Statistics

A representation of agricultural land use, including pasture, woodland, and crop areas.

Weed Management Practices

Strategies to control weed populations through crop rotation and diverse planting.

Agricultural Biotechnology

Techniques used to create or modify plants for better yield and resistance traits.

CRISPR

A modern genetic engineering technique used to edit genes in organisms.

Stacked Hybrids

Hybrids containing multiple traits, such as herbicide tolerances, in one plant.

Crop Yield

The measure of the amount of a crop produced per unit area.

Nodulation

The formation of nodules on legume roots that house nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Conservation Tillage

Agricultural practices that minimize soil disturbance and maintain soil health.

Harvest Management Practices

Techniques to optimize the harvesting process and maintain crop quality.

Physiological Maturity

The stage at which seeds reach maximum dry matter accumulation.

Soil Organic Matter

The organic component of soil, crucial for soil health and fertility.

Inoculants

Commercially prepared sources of Rhizobia used to enhance nitrogen fixation in legumes.

Benefits of Intercropping

Increases biodiversity, reduces fertilizer and pesticide needs, and enhances soil health.

Erosion Control

Practices employed to prevent the loss of topsoil due to water or wind.