Physiology of Crop Production

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on concepts and terminology related to crop physiology and production.

Arable land

Land suitable for plant-based agriculture, such as growing crops.

Irrigation

The process of supplying water to land or crops to help growth, often used where there is a water shortage.

Salinization

The accumulation of soluble salts in soil, which can be harmful to crops.

Vertical Farming

A method of growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often in controlled indoor environments using hydroponics.

Green Revolution

A period of agricultural transformation that increased crop yields through new technologies, particularly in the mid-20th century.

Liebig's Law of the Minimum

The principle stating that crop yield is determined by the nutrient in shortest supply, or the limiting factor.

Mechanisation

The use of machinery in agriculture, resulting in fewer people needed to run farms and larger operations.

Artificial Selection

The intentional breeding of plants or animals to produce specific desirable traits.

Nutrient Limitation

The condition where the growth of a plant is restricted by the scarcity of one or more essential nutrients.

Biocides

Chemical substances used to kill living organisms that can interfere with crop production, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.

Eutrophication

A process caused by nutrient pollution in water bodies, leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.

Caloric Supply

The average calories available for consumption per person per day, indicating food availability in a population.

Crop Yield

The total quantity of crop produced per unit area of land, often measured in tons per hectare.

Land Races

Locally adapted varieties of a species developed through traditional breeding strategies.

Production Factors

The elements that can affect crop growth and yield, such as soil conditions, climate, and nutrients.

Cereal Production Index (PIN)

A measure that reflects the relative change in the production of cereal crops over time.

Diminishing Returns

A principle stating that as investment in a resource increases, the incremental gain from that resource may eventually decrease.