Pathogen

Any organism (fungus, bacteria, virus, etc.) that causes disease in plants.

Host

The plant that provides food and shelter to a pathogen.

Inoculum

The part of a pathogen that causes infection (e.g., spores, mycelium, bacteria).

Infection

The process by which a pathogen enters and establishes itself in the host.

Incubation Period

Time between infection and appearance of symptoms.

Symptoms

Visible effects of disease on a plant (e.g., wilting, chlorosis, necrosis).

Sign

Physical presence of the pathogen on the host (e.g., fungal mycelium).

Resistance

The ability of a plant to prevent or reduce infection.

Epidemiology

Study of the occurrence and spread of plant diseases.

Quarantine

Legal restriction on movement of plant material to prevent disease spread.

Pest

Any organism that damages crops, livestock, or stored products.

Insecticide

Chemical used to kill or repel insects.

Biological Control

Use of natural enemies (predators, parasites, pathogens) to control pests.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Eco-friendly approach combining biological, cultural, and chemical methods for pest control.

Larva

Immature, worm-like stage of insects such as moths and beetles.

Pupa

Resting stage between larva and adult in holometabolous insects.

Metamorphosis

Transformation process in insects from egg to adult.

Economic Threshold Level (ETL)

Pest density at which control measures should be applied.

Vector

Insect that transmits plant pathogens (e.g., aphids transmitting viruses).

Pheromones

Chemicals produced by insects for communication and attraction.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Genetic material carrying hereditary information.

Gene

Unit of heredity controlling specific traits.

Genetic Engineering

Direct manipulation of an organism’s genes using biotechnology.

Transgenic Plant

Plant that contains foreign DNA introduced through genetic engineering.

Tissue Culture

Growing plant cells or tissues under sterile conditions on nutrient media.

Callus

Undifferentiated mass of plant cells formed during tissue culture.

Somaclonal Variation

Genetic variation observed among plants regenerated from tissue culture.

Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS)

Use of molecular markers to select plants carrying desired genes.

Bt Crops

Genetically modified crops that produce Bacillus thuringiensis toxin for insect resistance.

CRISPR-Cas9

Modern gene-editing technology used for precise modification of DNA.

Agribusiness

Commercial activities related to production, processing, and distribution of farm products.

Input–Output Ratio

Ratio of total output value to total input cost.

Cost–Benefit Ratio (CBR)

Economic measure comparing benefits to costs of a project.

Gross Margin

Difference between gross income and variable costs.

Land Tenure

Legal system defining land ownership and usage rights.

Marginal Productivity

Additional output obtained by using one more unit of input.

Elasticity of Demand

Degree to which demand changes in response to price changes.

Farm Management

Application of business principles to farming operations.

Price Policy

Government measures to stabilize agricultural prices and income.

Agricultural Marketing

All activities involved in the movement of farm produce from farm to consumer.

Extension Education

Informal education system that transfers scientific knowledge to farmers.

Adoption

Decision by a farmer to make full use of an innovation.

Diffusion

Process by which an innovation spreads among members of a social system.

Innovation

New idea, practice, or technology perceived as new by an individual.

Feedback

Response of farmers or participants to extension activities.

Demonstration

Practical teaching method showing the advantages of a practice or technology.

Training and Visit (T&V) System

Extension approach combining regular training of workers and scheduled visits to farmers.

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

Technique involving local people in planning and decision-making.

Kisan Call Centre (KCC)

Government initiative to provide real-time agricultural advice to farmers via telephone.

Farmer Producer Organization (FPO)

Collective of farmers formed to enhance income and bargaining power.

Agro-ecosystem

Ecological system managed for agricultural production.

Carbon Sequestration

Process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in soil and vegetation.

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)

Approach to increase productivity, resilience, and reduce emissions.

Conservation Agriculture (CA)

System emphasizing minimal soil disturbance and permanent soil cover.

Biodiversity

Variety of living organisms in a given ecosystem.

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)

Balanced use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients.

Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM)

Combination of methods for managing pests and diseases sustainably.

Vermicomposting

Use of earthworms to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.

Carbon Credit

Permit allowing emission of a certain amount of greenhouse gases, tradable in markets.

Sustainable Livelihood

Livelihood that can cope with shocks and maintain productivity over time.

Tractor

Machine used for pulling and operating farm implements.

Implement

Tool or equipment used for performing agricultural operations.

Tillage

Mechanical manipulation of soil for crop production.

Primary Tillage

Initial breaking and loosening of soil (e.g., plowing).

Secondary Tillage

Follow-up operations for soil refinement (e.g., harrowing).

Seed Drill

Machine used for sowing seeds at proper depth and spacing.

Combine Harvester

Machine that combines reaping, threshing, and winnowing.

Power Tiller

Two-wheeled machine for tillage and inter-cultivation.

Energy Efficiency

Output obtained per unit of energy used in farming operations.

Mean

Arithmetic average of a data set.

Standard Deviation (SD)

Measure of dispersion or variability.

Replication

Repetition of experimental treatments to reduce error.

Randomization

Random assignment of treatments to experimental units.

Design of Experiment (DoE)

Plan to test hypotheses efficiently.

ANOVA (Analysis of Variance)

Statistical method to compare means of treatments.

Correlation

Degree of relationship between two variables.

Regression

Prediction of one variable based on another.

Sampling

Selection of a representative group from a population.

Control Treatment

Standard or untreated condition for comparison in experiments.