Category: P

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.

Protection of Animals Act 1911: Legislation which makes it an offense to mistreat a domestic or captive animal or to cause it unnecessary suffering. Helpful content: Understanding animal welfare laws ensures that farmers comply with legal standards and promote ethical treatment of livestock. Adhering to these regulations can enhance farm reputation and product quality.

panemone: A type of windmill in which flat surfaces spin around a vertical axis. Using renewable energy sources like windmills can reduce operational costs on farms.

perry: Fermented pear juice. Producing perry provides a valuable beverage that can be marketed alongside other fruit products.

pigsty pigsty pigsty: A pen or shed for pigs. Properly designed pigsties ensure animal welfare and easy management, improving farm productivity.

phosphorylate: To combine with a phosphate. Understanding biochemical processes like phosphorylation aids in improving animal and plant health through better nutrition and disease management.

pome: A fruit with a core containing the seeds enclosed in a fleshy part that develops from the receptacle of a flower and not from the ovary. Helpful content: Pome fruits like apples and pears are important commercial crops. Understanding their growth and development helps farmers optimize orchard management practices for better yields and fruit quality.

plumule: The tiny structure in a plant embryo from which a shoot will develop. Helpful content: Understanding the development of the plumule helps farmers optimize seedling growth and transplantation. Healthy seedling development is critical for establishing strong and productive crops.

passporting: The provision of a plant or animal passport. Implementing passporting systems ensures traceability and biosecurity in agriculture.

phytochemical: Referring to the chemical processes in plants. Understanding phytochemistry aids in developing effective plant protection and improvement strategies.

pure breeding: The mating of purebred animals of the same breed. Helpful content: Pure breeding programs help maintain and improve breed characteristics. Farmers can achieve uniformity and higher quality in livestock through careful selection and breeding practices.

pecking order: The order of social dominance in a group of birds, and also animals (NOTE: The equivalent in cattle is the ‘bunt order’). Understanding social hierarchies in livestock helps in managing animal behavior and welfare.

process: To treat produce in a way that will make it keep longer or become more palatable. Helpful content: Processing farm produce adds value and extends shelf life, providing new market opportunities. Techniques such as drying, canning, and fermenting can enhance product diversity and farm income.

provender: A general term used to describe dry feeds for livestock. Helpful content: Providing high-quality provender ensures that livestock receive adequate nutrition. Farmers can enhance animal health and productivity by selecting the best dry feeds available.

productive: Producing a lot of something that can be used or sold. Helpful content: Implementing productive farming techniques, such as crop rotation and precision farming, can increase output and profitability. Farmers can achieve sustainable growth by optimizing resource use and adopting best practices.

poultry: A general term for domestic birds kept for meat and egg production. Chickens are the most common. Helpful content: Raising poultry can be a profitable enterprise for farmers. Understanding poultry management, nutrition, and health care is essential for maximizing egg and meat production while maintaining animal welfare.

planning inquiry: A hearing before a government inspector relating to a decision of a local authority in planning matters. Helpful content: Participating in planning inquiries can help farmers advocate for their projects and address any concerns raised by the community or authorities. This process can lead to better-informed decisions that support agricultural development.

phased return to work: 1. The gradual return of a sick person to work in stages, e.g., working only part-time at first 2. A reduction in workload towards the end of a worker’s career. Implementing phased return to work practices supports worker well-being and maintains farm productivity.

pathogenesis: The origin, production, or development of a disease. Understanding pathogenesis helps in developing effective disease management strategies in agriculture.

phytoplasma: A type of bacterium that affects plants. Managing phytoplasma infections is crucial for maintaining healthy crops and preventing economic losses.

plant protection: The activity of protecting plants from disease by biocontrol, cultivation practices, and especially by the application of pesticides. Helpful content: Effective plant protection strategies are crucial for preventing crop damage and losses due to pests and diseases. Integrated pest management (IPM) combines various methods to minimize pesticide use and enhance sustainability.

parathion: An organophosphorus insecticide no longer approved for use in the UK. Understanding the history and regulation of pesticides helps in making informed decisions about pest control.

physical: 1. Referring to the body rather than the mind or the spirit 2. Referring to the characteristics of a substance or object rather than its chemical composition. Understanding physical characteristics of soil, water, and crops aids in effective farm management and production.

potassium nitrate: A white crystalline salt, used as a fertilizer and meat preservative and in fireworks, explosives, and matches. Formula: KNO3. Helpful content: Potassium nitrate provides essential nutrients for plants and can improve crop yields. Its dual role as a fertilizer and preservative makes it valuable for integrated farm management.

pollinosis: Inflammation of the nose and eyes caused by an allergic reaction to pollen, fungal spores, or dust in the atmosphere. Also called hay fever. Helpful content: Understanding pollinosis helps farmers implement practices to reduce allergen exposure for workers and livestock. Managing pollen sources and using protective measures can improve health and productivity on the farm.

pathogen: An agent, usually a microorganism, that causes a disease. Identifying and managing pathogens is essential for preventing disease outbreaks in crops and livestock.

pink-root pink-root pink-root: A disease of onions caused by the fungus Phoma terrestris, which turns the roots pink and later rots them. Managing plant diseases like pink-root ensures healthy crops and high yields.

poacher: A person who catches animals, birds, or fish illegally on someone else’s land. Helpful content: Addressing poaching issues helps protect wildlife and maintain biodiversity on farms. Farmers can work with local authorities to enforce regulations and promote conservation efforts.

pest management: The management of pests by physical, chemical, or biological means. Using integrated pest management strategies improves pest control and reduces reliance on chemical pesticides.

pruning knife: A special knife with a curved blade used for pruning fruit trees. Helpful content: Pruning knives are ideal for making accurate cuts on trees. Proper pruning techniques with the right tools can enhance tree health and fruit production.

plant protection product: A general term for a chemical such as a pesticide or fungicide that is used to keep plants free from disease and pests. Helpful content: Using plant protection products judiciously can help farmers maintain healthy crops while reducing the environmental impact. Proper application and timing are essential for effective pest and disease control.

preservation: The process of protecting something from damage or decay. Helpful content: Food preservation techniques, such as drying, canning, and refrigeration, are essential for extending the shelf life of farm produce. Effective preservation reduces waste, enhances food security, and provides additional revenue opportunities.

piebald: Referring to an animal that has irregular patches of white and black or white and brown on its body, e.g., a piebald pony. Understanding livestock color patterns helps in selecting animals for breeding and meeting market preferences.

pink pink pink: A color between red and white. Using color coding in farm management improves organization and efficiency.

productive agriculture: Same as intensive agriculture. Helpful content: Intensive agriculture focuses on maximizing yields from a given area of land. By using advanced technologies, improved crop varieties, and efficient management practices, farmers can increase production while maintaining environmental sustainability.

phosphatide: A fat that contains phosphorus, found in seeds. Understanding the nutritional composition of seeds helps in formulating balanced animal feeds.

potassium sulphate: A fertilizer made from the muriate of potash. It contains about 50% potash and is used by potato growers and market gardeners. Formula: K2SO4. Also called sulphate of potash. Helpful content: Potassium sulphate is particularly beneficial for crops sensitive to chloride, such as potatoes. Its use can enhance crop quality and yield, supporting efficient and sustainable farming practices.

physiological disorder: A non-infectious condition in plants caused by environmental factors such as nutrient deficiency, water stress, or temperature extremes. Managing physiological disorders in crops ensures healthy growth and high yields.

PCV2: A virus which is thought to be a key cause of PMWS in pigs. Full form porcine coronavirus type 2. Preventing and managing PCV2 infections is essential for maintaining pig health and productivity.

pollutant: 1. A substance that causes pollution. 2. Noise, smell, or another unwanted occurrence that affects a person’s surroundings unfavorably. Helpful content: Identifying and managing pollutants is essential for maintaining a healthy farm environment. Farmers can adopt practices to minimize pollution, protect natural resources, and ensure sustainable production.

parasite: A plant or animal which lives on or inside another organism, the host, and derives its nourishment and other needs from it. Managing parasites is crucial for maintaining livestock health and preventing disease outbreaks.

phosphatic: Containing phosphate. Phosphatic fertilizers are essential for promoting healthy plant growth and improving soil fertility.

plant ecology: The study of the relationship between plants and their environment. Helpful content: Understanding plant ecology helps farmers make informed decisions about crop placement, soil management, and biodiversity conservation. This knowledge can lead to more sustainable farming practices and improved ecosystem health.

pillar pillar pillar: A vertical support structure. Using pillars in construction improves farm infrastructure and supports sustainable development.