Agriculture

The science, art, and business of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising livestock.

Horticulture

The branch of agriculture dealing with fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants.

Agroforestry

The practice of integrating trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock on the same land.

Agro-climatic Zone

A region classified based on climate and soil characteristics influencing crop suitability.

Agro-ecological Zone        

A land unit defined by climate, soil, and length of growing period for sustainable agriculture.

Cropping Pattern

The proportion and sequence of crops grown in an area during a year.

Cropping Intensity

The number of crops grown on a piece of land in a year, expressed as a percentage.

Mixed Cropping

Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same land.

Intercropping

Growing two or more crops simultaneously with a definite row arrangement.

Relay Cropping

Sowing the next crop before harvesting the previous crop.

Sequential Cropping

Growing two or more crops in sequence in a year on the same land.

Soil Profile

Vertical section of soil showing different layers (horizons).

Soil Texture

The proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles in soil.

Soil pH

Measure of soil acidity or alkalinity.

Humus

Decomposed organic matter that improves soil fertility.

Leaching

Downward movement of soluble substances through soil by water.

Erosion

Removal of topsoil by wind or water.

Soil Fertility

The ability of soil to supply nutrients to crops in adequate amounts.

Soil Productivity

The capacity of soil to produce crops under given management.

Evapotranspiration (ET)

Combined loss of water from soil and plant surfaces.

Relative Humidity (RH)

Ratio of actual water vapor to the maximum possible at a given temperature.

Drought

Period of insufficient rainfall causing crop stress.

Monsoon

Seasonal reversal of wind direction bringing rainfall to India.

Growing Degree Days (GDD)

A measure of heat accumulation used to predict plant development rates.

Seed Rate

Quantity of seed required to plant a unit area.

Spacing

Distance between plants and rows in a field.

Germination

Process by which a seed develops into a seedling.

Tillering

Production of side shoots from the base of grass plants like wheat and rice.

Lodging

Bending or falling of crops due to wind, rain, or weak stems.

Harvest Index (HI)

Ratio of economic yield (grain) to total biological yield (grain + straw).

Mulching

Covering the soil surface to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Zero Tillage

Sowing crops without prior soil tillage.

Macronutrients

Nutrients required in large amounts (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S).

Micronutrients

Nutrients required in small amounts (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo, Cl).

FYM (Farmyard Manure)

Decomposed mixture of dung, urine, and litter from farm animals.

Compost

Decomposed organic waste used to enrich soil.

Green Manure

Crop grown and plowed under to improve soil fertility.

Nitrification

Conversion of ammonium to nitrate by soil bacteria.

Denitrification

Conversion of nitrate to gaseous nitrogen, leading to N loss.

Hybridization

Crossing of genetically different plants to produce hybrids.

Pure Line

Progeny of a single self-pollinated plant.

Heterosis (Hybrid Vigour)

Superior performance of hybrid over parents.

Mutation

Sudden heritable change in a gene.

Polyploidy

Presence of more than two sets of chromosomes.

Genotype

Genetic makeup of an organism.

Phenotype

Observable characteristics of an organism.

Irrigation Efficiency

Ratio of water beneficially used to water applied.

Field Capacity

Water content held in soil after excess water has drained away.

Permanent Wilting Point

Soil moisture level at which plants permanently wilt.

Duty of Water

Area of land irrigated per unit of water flow.

Delta

Depth of water required to mature a crop.

Drip Irrigation

Method of delivering water directly to plant roots in small amounts.

Weed

Any unwanted plant growing where it is not desired.

Allelopathy

Chemical inhibition of one plant species by another.

Herbicide

Chemical used to control weeds.

Selective Herbicide

Kills certain weeds without harming the crop.

Non-selective Herbicide

Kills all vegetation it contacts.

Crossbreeding

Mating animals of different breeds to improve traits.

Lactation

Period of milk production after calving.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

Introduction of semen into female reproductive tract artificially.

Byre

Cattle shed.

Fodder

Cultivated plants used as feed for livestock.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Total value of goods and services produced within a country.

Minimum Support Price (MSP)

Price guaranteed by government to farmers for certain crops.

Cooperative Farming

Collective ownership and operation of farms by a group of farmers.

Input

Any resource (e.g., seeds, fertilizers) used in production.

Extension Education

Process of transferring scientific knowledge to farmers.

Organic Farming

Farming system avoiding synthetic inputs and focusing on natural cycles.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming that meets current needs without harming future generations.

Integrated Farming System (IFS)

Combining crops, livestock, fisheries, etc. for sustainability.

Carbon Footprint

Total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an activity.

Conservation Tillage

Reducing tillage intensity to conserve soil and water.