Category: P

parent material rock: The unweathered base rock which breaks down to form a constituent part of the surface soil. Knowing the parent material helps in soil fertility and management practices.

pest: An organism which attacks a plant or animal, causing damage and reducing the value of the crop or animal. Managing pests effectively prevents economic losses and ensures healthy crop and livestock production.

parthenocarpy: The production of seedless fruits without fertilization having taken place. Producing seedless fruits can meet market demands and reduce the need for pollination management.

polyethylene: Same as polythene. Helpful content: Polyethylene is widely used in agriculture for applications such as mulching, greenhouse covers, and irrigation tubing. Its durability and flexibility make it a valuable material for enhancing crop protection and water management.

peat: The accumulated partly decayed mosses and other plants which form the soil of a bog, often forming a deep layer. COMMENT: Acid peats are formed in waterlogged areas where marsh plants grow, and where the decay of dead material is slow. Black fen soils found in East Anglia are very fertile. These soils contain silts and calcium carbonate in addition to the remains of vegetation. Peat can be cut and dried in blocks, which can then be used as fuel. It is also widely used in horticulture, after drying and sterilizing. Peat was used as a fuel in some areas and was widely used in gardens to improve the texture of the soil or mixed with soil or other materials to grow plants in pots. These practices are now discouraged in order to prevent the overuse of peat bogs. Understanding peat and its uses helps in making informed decisions about sustainable soil management and conservation practices.

primitive: Referring to an early stage in an organism’s development. Helpful content: Understanding primitive traits in plants and animals can provide insights into their evolution and adaptation. This knowledge can inform breeding programs and conservation efforts on farms.

paddock grazing: A rotational grazing system that uses paddocks of equal area for grazing, followed by a rest period. This system improves pasture quality and productivity by preventing overgrazing and allowing for pasture recovery.

pollination: The action of pollinating a flower. Helpful content: Understanding pollination processes helps farmers optimize crop production. Ensuring effective pollination can lead to higher yields, better fruit set, and improved overall plant health.

pig iron: An impure iron produced in a blast furnace and used to produce steel. Understanding industrial processes like pig iron production aids in making informed decisions about farm equipment and infrastructure.

protoplast: A basic cell unit in a plant formed of a nucleus and protoplasm. Helpful content: Protoplasts are essential for plant growth and development. Farmers can utilize this knowledge in plant breeding and genetic research to improve crop varieties.

pikedressing pikedressing pikedressing: The practice of applying lime to soil. Using lime in soil management improves fertility and crop yields.

primary producer: A farmer who produces basic raw materials, e.g., wood, milk, or fish. Helpful content: Primary producers play a key role in the food supply chain. Understanding market trends, adopting sustainable practices, and improving production efficiency can enhance their economic viability and environmental impact.

persimmon: A native tree (Diospyros kaki) of Japan and China, which produces reddish-orange fruit, similar in appearance to tomatoes. The fruits are eaten either as dessert or may be cooked; they are very rich in vitamins. Growing persimmons provides a valuable fruit crop that meets market demand and offers nutritional benefits.

penicillin: An antibiotic, originally produced from a fungus, that controls bacterial and fungal infections (NOTE: Penicillin and the related family of drugs have names ending in -cillin: amoxycillin). COMMENT: Penicillin is effective against many microbial diseases, such as mastitis in cattle. Using antibiotics like penicillin helps in treating infections and maintaining livestock health.

Portland: A rare breed of sheep. Both sexes are horned, with brown or tan faces and legs. Helpful content: Portland sheep are known for their hardiness and adaptability to various environments. Farmers can benefit from raising this rare breed due to its resilience and the unique qualities of its wool and meat.

partial drought: In the UK, a period of at least 29 consecutive days when the mean rainfall does not exceed 2.54mm. Monitoring and managing drought conditions helps in planning irrigation and ensuring crop survival.

pigment: A natural substance that gives color to an animal or plant. Understanding pigments helps in breeding plants and animals with desirable traits and improving product quality.

pastoralist: A farmer who keeps grazing animals on pasture. The people most affected by the drought in the Sahara are nomadic pastoralists. Supporting pastoralists helps maintain traditional farming practices and livelihoods.

producer-retailer: A person who produces a commodity for sale directly to the public, as through a farm shop or by milk delivery. Helpful content: Producer-retailers can benefit from direct sales to consumers, allowing for better profit margins and stronger customer relationships. This approach can also provide consumers with fresher and more traceable products.

picloram: A systemic herbicide. Understanding herbicides like picloram aids in effective weed management and protecting crop yields.

Percheron: A heavy breed of horse, developed in Normandy. It is grey in color. Raising breeds like Percheron can provide valuable workhorses for farm tasks and meet market demands for horse-related activities.

porcine: Referring to pigs. Helpful content: Understanding porcine biology and management is crucial for pig farmers. Knowledge of pig health, nutrition, and behavior helps optimize production, improve animal welfare, and enhance farm profitability.

prune: A black-skinned dried plum. To remove pieces of a plant in order to keep it in shape or to reduce its vigor. Helpful content: Pruning is essential for maintaining plant health and productivity. Proper techniques promote better air circulation, light penetration, and overall growth, leading to higher yields and quality fruit.

plant growth regulator: A chemical treatment that slows the growth of plants, used in low-maintenance areas such as roadside verges. Abbr PGR. Helpful content: Plant growth regulators can help farmers manage crop growth, reduce the need for frequent mowing or pruning, and maintain the desired plant size. This can lead to labor and cost savings in landscape management.

passive immunity: Immunity received in the womb from the mother. Antibodies produced by her immune system to resist diseases that she has experienced or been vaccinated against are transferred to the embryo. Ensuring proper colostrum management and vaccination can enhance passive immunity in newborn livestock.

pork: Fresh meat from pigs, as opposed to cured meat, which is bacon or ham. Helpful content: Producing high-quality pork involves proper animal husbandry, nutrition, and health management. Farmers can benefit from understanding market demands and implementing best practices to ensure the consistent production of safe and nutritious pork.

peel: 1. The outer layer of a fruit. Oranges have a thick peel. Lemon peel is used as flavoring. 2. The skin of a potato. Verb to remove the peel from a fruit or potato. Using peels in composting can improve soil fertility and reduce waste.

plum: A stone fruit (Prunus domestica). Helpful content: Growing plums can be profitable for farmers, especially with varieties that are popular in local and export markets. Proper orchard management, including pest control and pruning, can lead to high yields and quality fruit.

pasturage: A place where animals are pastured. Managing pasturage efficiently can improve livestock health and productivity by providing quality forage.

partly mixed ration: A winter feed for livestock which combines total mixed ration and separate concentrate feeding, by mixing some concentrates with the roughage and keeping the rest aside as additional feed for higher-yielding animals. Abbr PMR. Using partly mixed rations ensures balanced nutrition for livestock, improving health and productivity.

propagation: The production of new plants. Helpful content: Successful propagation involves understanding plant biology and environmental conditions. Farmers can enhance plant growth and survival rates by optimizing propagation methods and providing proper care.

protein quality: A measure of the usefulness of a protein food for various purposes, including growth, maintenance, repair of tissue, formation of new tissue, and production of eggs, wool, and milk. Helpful content: High-quality protein sources are essential for livestock diets. Farmers can enhance animal performance and health by selecting feeds with superior protein quality.

PER: Abbreviation protein efficiency ratio. Understanding protein efficiency ratios helps in optimizing animal nutrition and improving production efficiency.

pound: A measure of weight, equal to 16 ounces or 453.592 grams. Symbol lb. Helpful content: Accurate measurement of weight is crucial for various farming activities, including feed distribution, produce marketing, and livestock management. Understanding and using standard weight units ensures consistency and efficiency in farm operations.

plough body: The main part of the plough, consisting of the frog, mouldboard, share, and landside. Helpful content: Understanding the components of a plough body helps farmers maintain and repair their equipment, ensuring efficient and effective soil cultivation. Proper maintenance can extend the lifespan of ploughs and improve field performance.

pitfall pitfall pitfall: A hidden danger or difficulty. Identifying and managing pitfalls in farming practices ensures successful and sustainable operations.

peck: A measure of capacity of dry goods, equal to a quarter of a bushel or two gallons. Pecks are used as a measure of grain. verb to pick up food with the beak. Using traditional measures like pecks helps in understanding historical agricultural practices and trade.

piledriver piledriver piledriver: A machine that drives piles into the ground. Using piledrivers in construction improves farm infrastructure and supports sustainable development.

plough up: To plough a pasture, usually to use it for growing crops. Helpful content: Ploughing up pastures can be a strategic decision to diversify farm production. Properly managed, this practice can enhance soil fertility and allow for the cultivation of high-value crops.

pulling peas: Peas harvested by removing the pods when fresh and sold as young peas in pods. Helpful content: Harvesting pulling peas at the right time ensures maximum freshness and quality. Farmers can benefit from understanding market preferences and optimizing harvest techniques.

prong: One of the long pointed pieces of metal which make up the end of a fork. Helpful content: Using tools with prongs, such as pitchforks, helps farmers manage tasks like turning compost or handling hay. Proper tool maintenance ensures efficiency and safety in farm operations.

performance test: A record of the growth rate in an individual animal over a given period of time, when fed on a standard ration. Performance testing gives the breeder a better chance of identifying genetically superior animals. Conducting performance tests helps in selecting high-performing livestock, improving herd productivity and profitability.

permanent grassland, permanent pasture: Land that remains as grassland for a long time and is not ploughed. Maintaining permanent grasslands provides sustainable grazing areas and improves soil health through natural vegetation.

purebred: Referring to an animal which is the offspring of parents which are themselves the offspring of parents of the same breed. Helpful content: Raising purebred animals can enhance genetic consistency and performance in livestock. Farmers can benefit from breed-specific traits that improve productivity and market value.

primed seed: Seed which has been moistened to start the germination process before sowing. Helpful content: Using primed seeds can improve germination rates and early plant growth, leading to better crop establishment and yields. This technique is particularly beneficial in challenging growing conditions.

pileup pileup pileup: A large number of vehicles or animals that have come to a stop or are blocking a road or path. Managing farm traffic efficiently ensures smooth operations and prevents accidents.

plant senescence: The final stage in the life cycle of a plant, leading to the death of part or all of the plant. Helpful content: Knowledge of plant senescence is important for farmers as it determines when they should harvest a crop in order to ensure it is of the highest possible quality. Timely harvesting can maximize yield and maintain produce quality.

protein equivalent: A measure of the digestible nitrogen of an animal feedingstuff in terms of protein. Helpful content: Understanding protein equivalents aids in formulating balanced diets for livestock. Farmers can ensure that feed provides sufficient protein for growth, milk production, and overall health.

Potash Development Association: An organization that provides industry information for those working in fertilizer sales. Abbr PDA. Helpful content: The Potash Development Association offers valuable resources and guidance on potash use in agriculture. Farmers can benefit from their research and recommendations to optimize fertilizer application and improve crop performance.

parkland: Grazed grassland or heathland with large individual trees or small groups of large trees, usually part of a designed and managed landscape. Proper management of parklands can enhance biodiversity and provide sustainable grazing.