Category: P

petrol: A fuel for vehicles such as tractors. Compare diesel. Ensuring a reliable supply of petrol supports farm operations and machinery maintenance.

particle size distribution: A way of measuring the composition of soil, which can be used in planning irrigation and crop arrangement. Knowing soil composition helps in selecting appropriate crops and irrigation practices.

piece rate: The amount of money paid to workers according to the amount of work done, rather than on an hourly or daily basis. Implementing piece rate systems can improve worker productivity and farm efficiency.

ploughshare: A heavy metal blade of a plough, which cuts the bottom of the furrow. Helpful content: Maintaining sharp and properly aligned ploughshares ensures efficient soil cutting and turning. This leads to better seedbed preparation and improved crop establishment.

PYO: Abbreviation for pick-your-own. Helpful content: Pick-your-own operations can provide additional revenue streams and attract customers to farms. Farmers can enhance customer engagement and profitability by offering pick-your-own experiences.

pharmaceutical: 1. An industrial chemical used to make medicines 2. Referring to the manufacture of medicines. Using pharmaceuticals in veterinary medicine ensures the health and well-being of livestock.

parasitise, parasitize: To live as a parasite on another organism. Sheep are parasitised by flukes. Understanding parasitic relationships aids in effective pest and disease management.

phosphorus: A vital nutrient for plant growth, often applied as a fertilizer. Proper management of phosphorus is essential for healthy crops and soil fertility.

protected cropping: Protected cultivation, the growing of crops under some form of protection, e.g., in greenhouses or under polythene sheeting. Helpful content: Protected cropping extends growing seasons and improves plant growth conditions. Farmers can increase yields and quality by using greenhouses, tunnels, or other protective structures.

PMWS: A disease causing wasting, paleness, and diarrhea in pigs between 6 and 14 weeks old, often fatal. Full form post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. Helpful content: Understanding PMWS and implementing biosecurity measures can help pig farmers prevent outbreaks and reduce losses. Early intervention and proper management are key to controlling this disease.

pepsin: An enzyme in the stomach which breaks down the proteins in food. Understanding digestive enzymes like pepsin helps in improving animal nutrition and health.

persistence: The ability of a plant to continue growing year after year. Selecting persistent plant varieties ensures long-term crop production and reduces the need for frequent replanting.

peptic: Referring to digestion or to the digestive system. Knowledge of digestive processes aids in formulating effective animal feeds and improving livestock health.

pastureland: Land covered with grass or other small plants, used by farmers as a feeding place for animals. Maintaining pastureland can enhance biodiversity and provide sustainable forage for livestock.

put to: To bring a female animal to be impregnated by a male. Helpful content: Proper timing and management of breeding are essential for maximizing reproductive success. Farmers can improve herd fertility and productivity by ensuring optimal breeding conditions.

peaty: Containing peat. Peaty soil, peaty water. Understanding soil types like peaty soil aids in selecting appropriate crops and soil management practices.

pod: A container for several seeds, e.g., a pea pod or bean pod. Helpful content: Understanding pod development and harvesting techniques is important for legume farmers. Proper timing and methods can maximize yield and ensure high-quality produce.

Panicum: The Latin name for millet. Millet is a drought-resistant crop that provides valuable grain, contributing to food security.

processed meats: Meat products such as bacon, sausages, etc. Helpful content: Producing processed meats requires knowledge of food safety, quality control, and market preferences. Farmers can diversify their product offerings and increase profitability by developing high-quality processed meat products.

pipe pipe pipe: A long, hollow tube used to carry water or other fluids. Using pipes in irrigation and drainage systems improves water management and supports sustainable agriculture.

PMG: Abbreviation for processing and marketing grant. Helpful content: Processing and marketing grants provide financial assistance to farmers, helping them add value to their products and improve market access. These grants can support infrastructure development, enhancing farm profitability.

pike pike pike: A long, slender freshwater fish. Raising fish like pike can provide additional income through aquaculture and meet market demands for fresh fish.

propagator: A closed but transparent container in which seed can be sown or cuttings grown in a moist, warm atmosphere. Helpful content: Using a propagator provides a controlled environment for seed germination and plant growth. This tool can improve the success rate of propagation efforts and ensure healthy seedlings for transplantation.

phloem: The part of a plant’s vascular system which carries food made by photosynthesis from the leaves to the other parts of the plant. Understanding plant physiology, including the role of phloem, aids in improving crop health and productivity.

pH: A scale of values measuring acidity and alkalinity, where pH 7 is neutral, above pH 7 is alkaline and below pH 7 is acidic (NOTE: Crops such as cabbages need lime to reduce soil acidity.) Understanding soil pH helps in managing soil fertility and selecting appropriate crops for optimal growth.

powder: A substance made of ground or otherwise finely dispersed solid particles. Helpful content: Powders, such as powdered fertilizers or pesticides, are essential for various agricultural applications. Proper handling and application of these products can enhance crop protection and growth.

pot on: To take a plant from one pot and repot it in a larger one so that it can develop. Helpful content: Potting on is essential for healthy plant development in nursery settings. Providing adequate space for root growth ensures robust and productive plants, ready for field transplantation.

productivity: The rate at which something is produced. Helpful content: Measuring and improving productivity is crucial for farm management. Farmers can use productivity metrics to evaluate performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies to enhance efficiency.

ploughshare: A heavy metal blade of a plough, which cuts the bottom of the furrow. Helpful content: Maintaining sharp and properly aligned ploughshares ensures efficient soil cutting and turning. This leads to better seedbed preparation and improved crop establishment.

pen mating: The practice of using one male animal to mate with a number of females. Using controlled mating practices ensures the quality and productivity of livestock breeding programs.

pneumatic grain drill: A machine which sows grain, the seed being moved from a hopper down the drill pipe by compressed air. Helpful content: Pneumatic grain drills provide precise seed placement and can improve planting efficiency. This technology helps farmers achieve optimal plant density and better crop establishment.

plough in: To cover a crop, stubble, or weeds with soil by turning over the surface with a plough. Helpful content: Ploughing in crop residues and organic matter can improve soil fertility and structure. This practice enhances nutrient cycling and promotes sustainable soil management.

pharmacology: The scientific study of drugs. Research in pharmacology contributes to the development of effective veterinary medicines and treatments.

premium: A special extra payment. Helpful content: Understanding and utilizing premium payments, such as those for organic or high-quality products, can increase farm income. Farmers can benefit from market differentiation and added value through certification and quality assurance programs.

peach: A small deciduous tree (Prunus persica) found particularly in Mediterranean areas, though it will grow as far north as southern England. The fruit is large and juicy, with a downy skin, but they cannot be kept for any length of time. (NOTE: Peaches are divided into two groups: the freestone (where the flesh is not attached to the stone), and the clingstone. The nectarine is a form of peach with a smooth skin.) Growing peaches provides a valuable fruit crop that meets market demand and can be sold fresh or processed.

pollinate: To transfer pollen from the anther to the stigma in a flower. Helpful content: Effective pollination is essential for fruit and seed production. Farmers can use techniques like hand pollination or introduce pollinators to improve crop yields and quality.

pollen: The mass of small grains in the anthers of flowers which contain the male gametes. Helpful content: Understanding pollen biology is important for crop pollination and breeding. Farmers can enhance crop yields by ensuring effective pollination, whether through natural pollinators or managed practices.

placental: Referring to the placenta. Helpful content: Knowledge of placental health helps in monitoring the reproductive health of livestock, leading to better management and productivity. This understanding can assist in early detection of potential problems, allowing for timely interventions.

pedologist: A scientist who specializes in the study of the soil. Research by pedologists contributes to better soil management and crop production practices.

PDNS: Abbreviation Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome. Managing PDNS is crucial for maintaining pig health and reducing economic losses in pig farming.

parthenogenesis: A form of reproduction in which an unfertilized ovum develops into an individual. Understanding reproductive mechanisms like parthenogenesis can aid in breeding programs and genetic research.

pip-pip pip-pip pip-pip: A cheerful farewell or greeting. Providing a positive and supportive environment improves farm worker morale and well-being.

polyhouse: A type of greenhouse made of polyethylene used to protect crops from adverse weather conditions. Using polyhouses can extend the growing season and improve crop yields.

plant health: The areas related to the prevention of pests and diseases affecting plants and plant produce, including the control of imports and exports. Helpful content: Maintaining plant health is essential for preventing crop losses and ensuring high-quality produce. Implementing effective pest and disease management strategies can protect crops and increase farm profitability.

photoperiodic: Referring to the effect of the photoperiod. Understanding photoperiodic effects aids in managing crop growth cycles and improving production efficiency.

public elevator: An elevator which is used for storage by several farmers and does not belong to one farmer alone. Helpful content: Public elevators provide shared storage solutions, reducing individual costs and improving grain management. Farmers can benefit from increased storage capacity and better market timing.

powdered sulphur: Sulphur which is used to dust on plants to prevent mildew. Helpful content: Powdered sulphur is an effective fungicide that helps control mildew and other fungal diseases in crops. Its use can improve plant health and yield, supporting sustainable crop protection practices.

plate and flicker: A type of machine used for distributing fertilizer. Helpful content: Efficient fertilizer distribution is crucial for ensuring even nutrient application across fields. Using machines like the plate and flicker can help farmers achieve uniform crop growth and avoid nutrient deficiencies or excesses.

Perendale: A New Zealand breed of sheep. Selecting breeds like Perendale can improve wool and meat production, meeting market demands and enhancing farm profitability.

pygmy beetle: A beetle pest affecting sugar beet (Atomaria linearis). Helpful content: Managing pygmy beetle infestations involves monitoring and implementing integrated pest management strategies. Early detection and control measures can protect sugar beet crops and ensure better yields.