Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
PRUNING SUCKERS
The removal of new shoots growing in the axils between branches and the main
stalk. This is usually done by hand. The purpose is to encourage the plant to put less energy into leaf
development and more energy into fruit development.
RAISED BEDS
A style of vegetable bed that is hilled up 8-12 in. (20-30 cm) above grade, or ground
level.
SEEDPOD
The fruit type characteristic of brassicas and legumes. Pods are dry and full of seeds when
ripe. They may dehisce (explode) when ripe.
SELFER
A plant whose flowers can accept pollen from other flowers of the same plant.
STRAIN
Crops whose name, origin, or identity are not known for certain. The term is often used in-
stead of the term “variety,” and strains are often named after people or places.
SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER
(
Trifolium subterraneum
). A clover species that, thanks to its low, spreading
growth habit, makes for an ideal natural mulch when undersown with cabbage and carrots. It winter-
kills below zone 7. Studies have shown that sub clover, as it is often called, repels carrot flies and
cabbage leaf beetles.
THRESHING
The manual or mechanical separation of seed from the stalk of a plant.
TILLER
A shoot that grows after the main shoot emerges from a seed. This is a desirable trait in cereal
grains, for example, in that multiple stems and, ultimately, multiple ears form from each seed.
TRUE-TO-TYPE
A specimen that displays representative attributes of a variety is considered to be true-
to-type. In practical terms, that means that a true-to-type plant is growing from seed that was not
crossed and shows no unusual traits. To maintain a variety as true-to-type, save seed only from true-
to-type plants.
UNDERSOWING
Sowing seed of another crop with or slightly later than the main crop such that the un-
dersown crop grows in the understory. This is done to benefit the main crop by suppressing weed
growth, repelling pests, etc. The main crop may have a dual function by acting as a nurse crop for
the undersown crop, as when cereal grains are undersown with a grass/alfalfa mixture for hay.
VARIETY
A variety is a type within a species that is uniform, consistent, and can be differentiated from
others.