Category: P

panicle: A flower head (inflorescence) with many branches that carry small flowers, e.g., the flower head of a rice plant. Understanding plant structures helps in crop breeding and improving yields.

pimple pimple pimple: A small raised bump on the skin. Managing livestock health includes monitoring and managing skin health to prevent diseases.

plant nutrient: A mineral whose presence is essential for the healthy growth of plants. Helpful content: Adequate plant nutrition is critical for optimal crop growth and yield. Farmers need to ensure that essential nutrients are available in the soil to prevent deficiencies and promote healthy plant development.

Prunus: The Latin name for the family of trees including the plum, peach, almond, cherry, damson, apricot. Helpful content: Understanding the Prunus family helps farmers manage orchards effectively. Knowledge of each species’ requirements and characteristics can improve cultivation practices and yields.

photoperiodism: The regulation of growth or behavior of plants and animals by the length of daylight. Managing photoperiodism in crop production can enhance flowering and fruiting, leading to better yields.

pore: 1. A tiny hole in the skin through which sweat passes. 2. A tiny space in a rock formation or in the soil. 3. Same as stoma. Helpful content: Understanding soil porosity is crucial for effective water and nutrient management. Proper soil management practices can improve pore space, enhancing water infiltration, root growth, and overall soil health.

planning controls: Legislation used by a local authority to control building. Helpful content: Understanding planning controls is crucial for farmers who plan to construct new buildings or modify existing ones. Knowledge of these regulations helps avoid legal issues and ensures that developments meet local standards and requirements.

Processors and Growers Research Organisation: A crop research and development centre funded by levies. Abbr PGRO. Helpful content: The Processors and Growers Research Organisation provides valuable research and development support for farmers. Utilizing their findings can help improve crop production techniques, pest management, and overall farm productivity.

pitch: A dark sticky substance obtained from tar, used to make objects watertight. Helpful content: Pitch is essential for farmers when waterproofing wooden structures or tools, ensuring durability and longevity. Proper waterproofing can prevent damage from moisture, extending the life of barns, fences, and equipment.

pea and bean weevil: A pest (Sitona sp) affecting peas, beans, and other legumes. The eggs are laid in the soil near the plants, allowing the larvae to feed on the roots. The adult weevils feed on the leaves, making U-shaped notches in the edges of the leaves. Managing pea and bean weevil infestations is essential for protecting legume crops and ensuring healthy yields.

poly-: Prefix meaning many, made of polythene, or touching many organs. Helpful content: Understanding the various applications of polythene in farming, such as in mulching, greenhouses, and packaging, can help farmers improve efficiency and protect crops. Polyethylene products can enhance agricultural productivity by providing durable and versatile solutions.

pineapple pineapple pineapple: A tropical fruit with a sweet, juicy flesh. Growing and processing pineapples provides valuable fruit crops that meet market demand and offer nutritional benefits.

physiology: The science of the normal functioning of plants, animals, and the human body. Understanding physiology is essential for optimizing animal and plant health and improving farm productivity.

Papaver: The Latin name for poppy. Poppies are valuable for producing medicinal compounds and ornamental purposes.

pale: 1. A pointed piece of wood used for fencing 2. A husk on grass or cereal seeds. Effective fencing helps manage livestock and protect crops, while removing husks can improve seed quality for planting.

physical damage: Damage caused to animals, plants, or objects by mechanical means. Preventing and managing physical damage ensures the health and productivity of crops and livestock.

podsol: A type of acid soil where organic matter and mineral elements have been leached from the light-colored top layer into a darker lower layer through which water does not flow and which contains little organic matter. Helpful content: Managing podsols involves soil amendments and appropriate crop selection. Farmers can improve soil fertility and productivity by adding lime and organic matter to counteract acidity.

porcine coronavirus type 2: Full form of PCV2. Helpful content: Recognizing and managing PCV2 is essential for maintaining the health of pig herds. Implementing biosecurity measures and vaccination programs can reduce the impact of this virus and prevent economic losses.

potassium: A soft metallic element, essential to biological life. Helpful content: Potassium is a critical nutrient for plant and animal health. Adequate potassium levels in soil and feed improve crop yields and livestock health, supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

pan: 1. A wide shallow pot for growing seeds 2. A hard cemented layer of soil, impervious to drainage, lying below the surface. It is formed by the deposition of iron compounds or by ploughing at the same depth every year. Pan may be broken up by using a subsoiler. Proper seed germination and soil management improve plant growth and crop yields.

plowing: The act of turning over the upper layer of soil to prepare it for planting. Plowing helps control weeds and incorporate organic matter into the soil.

photochemical: Referring to a chemical reaction that occurs in the presence of light. Understanding photochemical reactions helps in optimizing agricultural practices like photosynthesis management.

perennial irrigation: A system that allows the land to be irrigated at any time. This may be by primitive means such as shadufs, or by distributing water from barrages by canal and ditches. Implementing perennial irrigation systems ensures consistent water supply, improving crop yields and reducing water stress.

pepino mosaic virus: A highly contagious virus affecting tomato plants. Managing plant viruses like pepino mosaic virus is crucial for maintaining healthy crops and preventing economic losses.

prolific: Referring to an animal or plant which produces a large number of offspring or fruit. Helpful content: Prolific breeds or varieties can significantly increase farm output. Farmers can benefit from selecting high-yielding and prolific plants or animals to enhance productivity and profitability.

polluter: A person or company that causes pollution. Helpful content: Addressing polluters within the agricultural sector is important for environmental health. Farmers can adopt practices that minimize pollution and work with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and protect natural resources.

palm: 1. A large tropical plant like a tree with branching divided leaves, that produces fruits which give oil and other foodstuffs 2. The inner surface of the hand or the underside of a mammal’s forefoot that is often in contact with the ground. Palm oil production can be a valuable income source, while understanding animal anatomy aids in better livestock handling.

placement drill: A machine which drills seeds and fertiliser at the same time, placing the fertiliser close to the side of and below the rows of seeds. Helpful content: Placement drills ensure efficient seed and fertiliser placement, promoting healthy plant growth and reducing waste. This precision can lead to higher yields and more efficient use of resources.

pericarp: The part of a fruit that encloses the seed or seeds. Understanding fruit anatomy aids in improving breeding programs and crop quality.

parasitoid: An organism that is a parasite only at one stage in its development. Recognizing parasitoid life cycles helps in biological pest control strategies.

pre-emergent: Before a plant’s leaves appear from the seed in the soil. Helpful content: Pre-emergent herbicides are used to control weeds before they emerge, reducing competition for crops. Proper application timing can significantly improve weed management and crop performance.

plant cover: The percentage of an area occupied by plants. Helpful content: Assessing plant cover is important for managing soil health and preventing erosion. High plant cover can protect soil from wind and water erosion, improve water infiltration, and enhance biodiversity on farms.

pippin pippin pippin: A type of apple that is grown for its flavor rather than for its appearance. Growing and processing pippins provides valuable fruit crops that meet market demand and offer nutritional benefits.

PSS: Abbreviation for porcine stress syndrome. Helpful content: Managing porcine stress syndrome involves selecting animals without the halothane gene and reducing stress factors. Proper handling and management practices can improve animal welfare and productivity.

pinch pinch pinch: To squeeze something tightly between two fingers or other objects. Using proper techniques in handling livestock and crops ensures efficient and safe farm operations.

plain: A large area of flat country with few trees, especially in the middle of North America. Helpful content: Plains are often used for extensive agriculture due to their flat terrain and fertile soil. Understanding the characteristics of plains can help farmers optimize land use and crop selection.

primitive breeds: Old breeds of livestock which have not been bred commercially, but which are the descendants of wild livestock. Helpful content: Preserving primitive breeds helps maintain genetic diversity and resilience in livestock populations. These breeds often have unique traits that can be valuable for sustainable farming and adaptation to changing environments.

parasitology: The scientific study of parasites. Research in parasitology contributes to better pest and disease management in agriculture.

pale persicaria: A weed found in spring-sown crops. Effective weed management reduces competition for nutrients, water, and light, improving crop yields.

progesterone: A female sex hormone produced by the corpus luteum of the ovary to prepare the lining of the womb for a fertilized ovum. Formula: C21H30O2. Helpful content: Understanding the role of progesterone in reproduction helps farmers manage breeding and pregnancy in livestock. Proper hormone management can enhance reproductive success and animal health.

pipping pipping pipping: The process of a bird breaking through its eggshell to hatch. Understanding the hatching process helps in managing poultry production and ensuring healthy chick development.

pit pit pit: A large hole in the ground. Managing pits for waste disposal and storage ensures farm cleanliness and environmental protection.

paddock: A small enclosed field, usually near farm buildings. Paddocks provide controlled environments for livestock, enabling better pasture management and preventing overgrazing.

passport: An official document issued to many types of animals or plants being moved from one country to another, certifying freedom from disease. Issuing animal and plant passports ensures biosecurity and facilitates international trade.

phytotron: A greenhouse or laboratory where conditions such as light, temperature, and humidity can be controlled to study the effects on plant growth. Using phytotrons in research helps in developing effective agricultural practices and improving crop production.

personal injury insurance: Insurance against the risk of accidents or injuries, e.g., to farm workers or animals. Providing personal injury insurance ensures financial protection and support in case of accidents, enhancing farm safety and worker welfare.

phosphor deficiency: A condition in animals caused by a lack of phosphor, leading to decreased growth and fertility. Managing mineral deficiencies in livestock ensures optimal health and productivity.

physiotherapy: The use of physical techniques to treat disease or injury. Providing physiotherapy for injured livestock helps in their recovery and maintains productivity.

permanent wilting point: The soil water content below which plants wilt and are unable to recover. Understanding the permanent wilting point helps in planning irrigation schedules and preventing crop water stress.

proud: Referring to excessive growth or development in crops or livestock. Helpful content: Managing excessive growth through proper nutrition and environmental controls ensures optimal plant and animal health. Farmers can achieve better yields and quality by preventing overgrowth issues.