HORT2007: Moving Towards Sustainability

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to sustainable horticulture, as discussed in the lecture notes.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices focused on meeting current food and fiber needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same. It integrates environmental health, economic profitability, and social equity to ensure long-term viability.

Desertification & Salinity

The process by which fertile land transforms into desert, often due to improper irrigation practices that lead to increased salt concentration in the soil, thereby hindering plant growth and agricultural productivity.

Soil Compaction

The compression of soil particles resulting from heavy machinery or excessive tilling. This reduces pore space, restricting water infiltration, root penetration, and overall soil health, which can decrease agricultural yields.

Germplasm (Genetic Resources)

The genetic material of plants, which includes seeds, tissues, and wild relatives. Plant breeders use germplasm to improve crops by enhancing desirable traits such as disease resistance, yield, or nutritional content through breeding and genetic modification.

Major Forms of Energy Use in Horticulture

The primary sectors within horticulture that consume significant energy, including crop cultivation, harvesting, processing, and the distribution of final products to markets. Identifying these areas helps in finding opportunities for energy efficiency improvements to reduce the carbon footprint of horticultural practices.

Principle 1 of Sustainable Agriculture: Efficiency

Focuses on maximizing the use of resources such as water, nutrients, and energy to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact. This principle promotes responsible resource management to improve the sustainability of agricultural practices.

Principle 4 of Sustainable Agriculture: Resilience

Involves enhancing the capacity of agricultural systems, communities, and ecosystems to recover from disturbances like droughts, floods, or market fluctuations. It emphasizes adapting to changing conditions and ensuring long-term stability and productivity in the face of adversity.

Cover Crops

The practice of planting crops like clover or rye between regular harvests or alongside perennial crops. This helps prevent soil erosion, increases soil organic matter, suppresses weeds, and improves overall soil health, contributing to more sustainable farming.