Glossary

Modifying physical factors of the environment

Air – the gases that surround the earth, such as carbon dioxide, oxygen and includes their movement, e.g. wind

Artificial shelter – synthetic protection for crops from environmental conditions

Carbon dioxide – the gas required by plants for the process of photosynthesis

Chill requirements – the time below a temperature required to break dormancy

CO2 enrichment – where carbon dioxide is added to the crop to increase plant growth

Commercial plant production – the large scale growing of plants for sale to make a profit

Crop yield – the amount of crop produced or grown for sale

Frost – frozen dew or water vapour due to below zero temperatures

Irrigation – applying water to the land

Hail cannons – are guns which set off explosions that shatter the hail as they begin to form

Humidity – the amount of moisture in the soilLight – visible form of electromagnetic

radiation e.g. daylight or light bulbNatural shelter – live protection (e.g. trees)

for crops from environmental conditions e.g. wind

Nutrients – elements required by plants for healthy growth

Oxygen – the gas used by plants for healthy growth

Physical factors – the physical environmental factors that affect plants e.g. light

Plant density – the number of plants grown per unit of area

Pruning – the training method that removes plant parts by cutting them off

Quality – degree of excellence. Determined by grading of the crop’s traits

Rainfall – condensed moisture of the atmosphere falling visibly in separate drops

Reflective mulch – silver foiled matting that reflects sunlight back up to the foliage

Soil – the layer of particles that forms the upper surface over the earth and supports plant growth

Sprinkler irrigation – adding water to the soil using equipment that spreads the water in small drops

Staking- using an upright or a pole to provide support for a plant

Sunlight hours – the average amount of hours of sunlight that are in a given location

Techniques – actions used in commercial plant production that impacts on yield, quality and timing

Temperature – degree of heat from the atmosphere

Thinning – a training method that removes branches to prevent bushyness

Tile drainage – clay pipes placed in the subsoil to remove excess water from the soil

Timing – when a production process is carried out or when a crop is ready to be sold

Topography – the physical features and description of a location

Training systems – a process of shaping a plant into growing the way you require

Water – used in many plant processes such as germination, photosynthesis and transpiration

Watering – applying water to plants

Wind machines – a large fan on the top of a pole, which mixes warm air with colder air

Wind – air in motion