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Glossary

• Active Ingredient 

  The chemical in a formulated product that is responsible for the pesticide effects.

• Adjuvant  

  An ingredient added to a pest control product’s formulation or to a spray mixture to enhance its efficacy.  The adjuvant does not directly affect the pest, but rather aids or modifies the ability of the pesticide to control pests, for example by enhancing or facilitating mixing, spreading, penetration or other characteristics of the spray mixture.

• Alliaceae (Allium) 

  Family of plants also known as the onion family.  Includes chives, garlic, leeks, onions, shallots, etc.

• Alternate leaves  

  Arrangement of leaves on the stem, placed singly at different heights on the stem or axis. Any arrangement that is not opposite or whorled.

• Annual Plant    

  Completes its life cycle within a one year period. Summer annuals complete their life cycle between spring and fall. Winter annuals germinate in fall, overwinter and then flower and complete their life cycle the following spring or summer.

• Asteraceae 

  Family of plants also known as the Compositae, aster, daisy or sunflower family.  Includes artichoke (globe and Jerusalem), calendula, chamomile, chicory, echinacea, lettuce, safflower, sunflower, etc.

• Auricle  

  An identifying feature on grasses. An appendage near the lower part of the leaf blade. May be absent or clasping.

• Axil 

  The upper angle between a leaf stalk or branch and the stem or trunk from which it is growing.

• Band Treatment 

  A pesticide applied as a narrow strip over the crop row. Often combined with inter-row cultivation when herbicides are applied in a band.

• Basidiospore 

  A sexually produced fungal spore borne on a basidium.

• Beneficials

  Insects or mites providing a benefit to crop production, either as natural enemies of pests or as pollinators.

  Biennial Plant   

  Completes its life cycle within a two-year period. Germinates in the spring, overwinters, flowers the following spring or summer and dies back the following fall.

• Biopesticide

  A pest control product which is derived from natural materials such as animals, plants, bacteria and minerals.

• Brassicaceae

  Family of plants also known as Cruciferae or the mustard family.  Includes cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels’ sprouts, kohlrabi, kale, rutabaga, turnip, horseradish, canola, etc.

• Broadleaf Weeds     

  General classification of weeds that have 2 cotyledons; leaves are generally broad and vary in size and shape.

• Bronzing

  A reddish-brown discoloration or flecking of plant tissues, especially leaves, in response to damage from a pest (e.g. mite feeding) or environmental stress (e.g. sunscald, excess ozone).  Leaves may also appear curled and pale green in colour.

• Calcareous

  A soil containing calcium carbonate in the mineral form.  These soils have a high pH and are very well buffered against changes in soil pH.

• Calibrate

  To check, adjust or standardize a piece of equipment compared to a known value.

• Calyx  

  The sepals of a flower; the outermost series of flower parts; it is usually, but not always, green and leaf-like in texture.

• CanadaGAP

  An on farm food safety program, requested by many retailers to be used by pack-houses, small packers and individual producers.

• Certification body

  An organisation accredited by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) which verifies that a farm or processor meets the organic standard and certifies organic products.

• Chlorophyll

  The pigment which gives plants their green color and is responsible for absorption of light, allowing photosynthesis to occur.

• Chlorosis  

  Failure of chlorophyll development caused by disease or a nutritional disturbance; fading of green plant color to light green, yellow, or white.

• Cold sensitive

  A plant or tissue that is damaged or dies due to prolonged exposure to low temperatures.

• Collar  

  The junction between leaf blade and leaf sheath in grass and sedge leaves.

• Compositae 

  see Asteraceae

• Compost

  Partially decomposed organic matter (manure, crop resides, etc.) typically used as a soil amendment to stabilise and supply nutrients over time.

• Conidia 

  Asexual spores

• Conventional (production system):   

  A method of crop and livestock production that uses a variety of natural inputs but may also use synthetic pest control products, fertilisers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones.

• Cotyledons 

  The seed leaves. Often visible when large seeds are opened. These are the first leaves visible in the germinated seedling. Broad-leaved crops or weeds have two cotyledons (dicots). Grasses (monocots) have one.

• Cruciferae    

  Family of plants also known as Brassicaceae or the mustard family.  Includes cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, kohlrabi, kale, rutabaga, turnip, horseradish and canola.

• Cucurbitaceae (Cucurbits)

  Family of plants which includes cucumbers, melons, squash, etc.

  Cuticle 

  A continuous layer waxy substances covering over the outer surfaces of the epidermis of plants, it contains cutin and protects against water loss /water gain and other damage.  

• Defoliate 

  Foliage loss due to biotic or abiotic factors (e.g. insect feeding, chemical application).

• Diversify (Diversifying) 

  To increase or change the number and type of organisms (plants, insects, microbes, etc.) to provide benefits such as pest control, soil enhancement or risk management.

• Dormant 

  A resting stage similar to the condition of a plant during the winter.

• Emergence     

  The time at which the seedling first appears above the ground.

• Epidermis

  The outer layer of plant tissue.

• Erucic Acid

  Long chain fatty acid

• Evaporative cooling  

  Removal of heat from the plant through evapotranspiration (evaporation of water released through the plant stomata).

• Freeze tolerant

  A plant that can survive prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures."  The French version appears to be correct. 

• Frost sensitive

  Plant/tissue damage or death due to frost exposure.

• Frost tolerant

  A plant that can survive periods of frost.

• Gall  

  An abnormal growth of a plant caused by the presence in its tissues of a young insect or some other organism. Aphids, gall wasps, and gall midges are among the major gall-causing insects.  

• Gamma linolenic acid

  An omega-6 essential fatty acid

  Generation  

  The group of individuals of a given species that have been reproduced at approximately the same time; the group of individuals of the same genealogical rank.

• Heat sensitive

  Plant/tissue damage or death due to exposure to temperatures above an upper limit.

• Herbicide  

  A chemical that is toxic to plants.

• Holistic 

  A system designed to optimize the productivity and fitness of diverse, interdependent, communities within the agro-ecosystem. 

• Honeydew 

  The sweet liquid released from the anus of aphids and some other sap sucking bugs.

• Hypha 

  Single, tubular filament of a fungal thallus or mycelium; the basic structural unit of a fungus.

• Inflorescence 

  The flowering portion of a plant.

• Inoculum  

  Pathogen or its parts, capable of causing infection when transferred to a favourable location

• Instar  

  The stage in an insect's life history between any two moults. A newly-hatched insect which has not yet moulted is said to be a first-instar nymph or larva. The adult (imago) is the final instar.

• Internode  

  The part of a stem or rhizome between any two nodes.

• Interveinal

  Between the leaf veins.

• Invertebrate (pests)

  Species that lack a backbone/vertebral column.

• Larva   

  Name given to a young insect which is markedly different from the adult: caterpillars and fly maggots are good examples.

• Lateral roots 

  Secondary roots that develop and grow from the primary root structure

• Legume (Leguminous)

  A plant species within the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family which creates symbiotic relationships with soil bacteria to fix atmospheric nitrogen for growth.

• Ligule  

  An identifying feature on grasses. A flat membrane or band of hairs arising from the inner surface of the leaf sheath, where it joins the leaf blade.

• Macronutrients

  Nutrients required by plants in large quantities for basic plant growth and development.

• Maggot  

  A vermiform larva; a larva without legs and without well-developed head capsule.

• Mandibles

  Paired appendages or jaws, most commonly used in chewing insects to cut and crush food, or for defense.  May be modified into a tube-like stylet in piercing-sucking insects such as aphids, leafhoppers and plant bugs.

• Manure

  Organic matter in the form of raw animal faeces or plant biomass (green manure).

• Mating Disruption

  A pest management technique involving the release of synthetically produced sex pheromones in large amounts to confuse males and limit their ability to locate calling females, thereby reducing mating of the target pest.

• Micronutrients

  As important as macro nutrients; they are needed in much smaller quantities by the plant and are often less prevalent in the soil.

• Molting

  The process of loosening/shedding the old cuticle ad producing a larger replacement.

• Moth  

  A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly.   They both belong to the order Lepidoptera.  Moths, and particularly their caterpillars, are a major agricultural pest in many parts of the world.

• Multi-cropping

  Growing more than one crop on the same piece of land in one growing season.

• Mycelium  

  (pl. mycelia, adj. mycelial)  Mass of hyphae constituting the body of a fungus.

• Natural Enemies / Biological Control Agents

  Predators, parasitoids or pathogens that help to reduce pest numbers, sometimes keeping populations from reaching economic injury levels.

• Necrosis  

  (adj. necrotic) Death of cells or tissue, usually accompanied by black or brown darkening.

• Niche

  A specific segment or subset.

• Node  

  The “joint” of a stem or rhizome; Where the leaf is attached to the stem, and where auxiliary buds and branches are produced.  

• No-till 

  System of production where crops are planted without tilling the soil. Used to conserve soil, alter weed populations and reduce fuel use and input costs.

• Nymph  

  Name given to the young stages of those insects which undergo a partial metamorphosis. The nymph is usually quite similar to the adult except that its wings are not fully developed. It normally feeds on the same kind of food as the adult.

• Opposite Leaves 

  Arrangement of leaves on the stem placed two at a node, on opposing sides of a stem, immediately across from each other.

• Organic (compound)

  Any article or compound containing a carbon molecule.

• Organic (production system)

  A fungus-like organism, also called water mould.

• Panicle 

  A type of inflorescence that usually has a central axis and many branches that are themselves more or less rebranched.

• Parasite   

  An organism that spends all or part of its life in close association with another species, taking food from it but giving nothing in return. Ectoparasites live on the outside of their hosts, while endoparasites live inside the host's body.

• Pathogen 

  An organism causing disease.

• Perennial Plant   

  Lives for more than 2 years. Compare with annual, winter annual or biennial.

• Petal Fall

  The growth stage when petals begin to fall from the bloom.

  Petiole  

  The stalk of a leaf, attaching the blade to the stem.

• Pheromone  

  A chemical produced by some species of insects to communicate with members of the same species. Frequently, these are ‘sex pheromones’ which a female produces to attract a mate.

  Phloem 

  The tissue in plants responsible for the transport of nutrients from the leaves to throughout the plant.

• Photosynthesis 

  The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to produce energy from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a byproduct.

• Physiological Plant Disorders 

  Non-pathological disorders such as poor light, weather damage, water-logging or a lack of nutrients, that affect the functioning of the plant system. Physiological disorder is distinguished from plant diseases caused by pathogens, such as a virus or fungus. Whilst the symptoms of physiological disorders may appear disease-like, they can usually be prevented by altering environmental conditions. However, once a plant shows symptoms of nutrient deficiency it is likely that the season’s yields will be reduced.

• Phytophagous

  Plant-feeding.

• Plasticulture 

  Growing system where plastic mulch is laid in beds on the soil surface, and crops are planted through small holes punched through the mulch. Useful to reduce weeds, retain moisture and enhance earliness and harvest quality.

• Predator   

  An insect that attacks and feeds on other insects, usually smaller and weaker than itself.

• Pupa   

  The 3rd life stage of some insect species, such as butterflies, beetles and flies.  It occurs only in insects undergoing complete metamorphosis, during which the larval body is rebuilt into that of the adult insect. Typically a non-feeding and inactive stage.

• Pupate/Pupation  

  To become a pupa.

• Reduced-till or Zone-till  

  Combines the best of both no-till and conventional tillage systems. It uses both shanks and coulters to create a narrow zone of tilled soil that acts as a well-prepared seedbed. The area between the rows is left undisturbed. This dramatically increases the amount of surface residue left on the field, while still creating the fine seed bed desired by many growers.

• Resistant (pest management)

  A plant’s ability to inhibit or limit damage from a pest, or a pest’s ability to survive exposure to a pest control product, through its own defence mechanisms.

  Rhizome  

  An underground stem, usually horizontal.

• Rotation 

  Growing a different plant species on the same piece of land in successive growing seasons.

• Runoff

  Excess water that cannot be absorbed into the soil or is trapped on the soil surface that flows out of the field. 

• Saponin

  A bitter, soapy-like secondary metabolite produced by some plant species (e.g. quinoa).

• Scarification

  A physical or chemical process used to soften or penetrate the seed coat to overcome seed dormancy.

• Sclerotia(sing. Sclerotium)

  A vegetative resting body of a fungus composed of a compact mass of hyphae with or without host tissue, usually with darkened rind.

• Scorch (leaf)  

  Sudden leaf death or browning, either interveinally or at the margin that occurs when plants have difficulty taking up water or have sudden exposure to full sunlight following a wet, cloudy period.

• Seedhead 

  The plant structure that produces and disperses seeds.

• Sepal 

  One of the separate, usually green parts forming the calyx of a flower.

• Spore  

  Reproductive structure of fungi and some other organisms, containing one or more cells; a bacterial cell modified to survive an adverse environment.

• Stale Seedbed 

  A technique to enhance weed control in seeded crops. It is created by tilling the soil early, which encourages the weeds to germinate. After the weed cover is establish, the emerged weeds are killed without disturbing the soil; this is accomplished by using herbicides, non-chemical means like propane flamers, or by mowing very close to the ground. The crop is then seeded or planted with minimal soil disturbance.

• Stearidonic acid

  An omega-3 fatty acid

• Stippling

  Numerous small, white or bronzed puncture marks on the leaf.

• Stolon 

  A horizontal stem at or slightly below the soil surface that gives rise to new plants at its nodes and tips.

• Stoma   

  (pl. stomata; adj. stomatal; also stomate) Structure composed of two guard cells and the opening between them in the epidermis of a leaf or stem, functioning in gas exchange.

• Stratification

  The process of breaking seed dormancy through changes in temperature over time.  Temperature regimes and exposure duration vary with plant species.

• Stunting

• Reduced plant growth due to a pest or a lack of water, nutrients or other necessity for plant development.

• Suckers

  New shoot growth pushing from either the roots or the lateral branches, (sometimes called root suckers, or watersprouts).

• Synthetic (crop inputs) 

  A substance or compound that is generally not found in nature and must be produced using a non-biological process to chemically alter the resulting material.

• Systemic (herbicides, viruses, etc.)  

  A compound or organism that enters the plant and moves throughout all plant parts via the xylem and phloem.

• Taproot 

  The primary root; usually larger than the branch roots; and usually present in most annual and biennial plants.

• Temperate (growing zone/crops):

  A climate zone with average summer temperatures above 10oC and average winter temperatures at or below 0oC. Crop production in this growing zone can be limited by cold temperatures in the winter or insufficient heat units in the summer.

• Thresholds  

  Control guidelines that indicate when pesticides should be applied to prevent economic losses. Timing of control measures is critical. Spray guidelines for insect pests are based on an economic threshold where the lost income from not applying a control will be higher than the cost of applying a control. In other words, some damage to the crop is tolerated, as long as this damage does not exceed the cost of the control. Thresholds for disease, weeds, nematodes and vertebrates may be based on weather, site history, stage of crop development and field observations.

• Tipburn 

  Yellowing and/or necrosis of the leaf tissue at the apex.

• Tolerant (pest management)  

  A plant that is able to survive infection/feeding or a pest that is able to survive exposure to a pest control product.

• Translocation

  Movement of nutrient ions from the plant roots to shoots and other plant parts as part of transpiration (ie water flow through the plant).

• Transpiration 

  Loss of water vapour from the plant.

• Trap Crop 

  A planting that attracts insects away from nearby crops helping to reduce economic damage to harvestable crops.

  Tropical (growing zone/crops):  

  A climate zone between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.  Crop production is not limited by cold temperatures but may be limited due to photoperiod or vernalization (cold period required for completion of plant life cycle) requirements or excess heat.

• Tubers  

  A thickened, short, underground stem or root, serving as a storage organ containing reserve food ex. common potato.

• Turbidity (Turbid) 

  A measure of cloudiness in a liquid due to suspended particulates.

• Value-added

  Building on a primary product or service of an agricultural business by adding a new component that has economic value and consumer appeal.

• Value-chain  

  A strategic partnership among inter-dependent businesses (producers, processors, marketers, food service companies, retailers and supporting groups such as shippers, research groups and suppliers) that collaborate to progressively create value for the final consumer resulting in a collective competitive advantage.

• Vector 

  An organism which acts as a carrier of pathogens from plant to plant.

• Vertebrate 

  Species that have a backbone/vertebral column.

• Whorl 

  Three or more leaves or flowers at one node; with the parts encircling the stem and pointing outward like the spokes of a wheel.

• Windbreak 

  A planting of trees or shrubs which shelters an area from wind.

• Xylem 

  The tissue in plants responsible for the transport of water and minerals from the roots throughout the plant.