Glossary

AfterripeningChanges that take place in the seed after harvest, making it possible for the seed to sprout when conditions are right. AllelopathyThe inhibition of one kind of plant by substances produced by a different plant growing nearby. Annual A plant that lives for only one year or growing season. AntherThe pollen-containing tip of the stamen in a flower. Auxin A grow hormone produced by plants. Biennial A plant that blooms, bear seed, and usually dies the year after it is planted. Blocking outThe practice of cutting around plant in flat a week before transplanting them into the garden row. Bolt To send up a seed stalk, when vegetative growth is preferred. Carpel The individual female part of the flower, corresponding to the male stamens. Cell The smallest structural unit of an organism. Chelate To chemically grab and hold molecules of metal from the soil. ClocheA protective cover of glass or plastic, often a bottomless glass jug, used to protect growing plant from cold weather. Cold frame A plastic or glass-covered frame used to protect plants from cold weather. Companion plantingThe practice of making purposeful adjacent plantings of plants that seem to enhance the growth of the other plant or confer some disease or insect protection. Complete flowerOne that contains both stamens and pistil. ControlIn experiments, the control is the untreated, standard plant (seed, soil sample, etc.) used to check performance of treated samples.

CotyledonThe seed leaves or first leaves that emerge from a germinated seed, different in form the later true leaves. Crop rotationThe practice of planting a succession of different plants on a certain piece of ground to promote soil nutrient balance and prevent disease and insect buildup. Cross-pollinationThe transfer of pollen from the anthers of one kind of flowering plant to the stigma of a different variety of that plant. CutwormA soil-dwelling beetle larva that encircles and nips off seedlings at the soil surface. CytokininA growth-promoting plant hormone found in kelp. DessicantA drying agent; a substance that absorbs mo. DormantAlive but inactive and, in some cases, incapable of growth until certain conditions (light, temperature, time, for example) have been fulfilled. ElectrodeOne of the two terminals of an electric source. EmbryoThe rudimentary plant contained in a seed. EndospermThe stored plant nourishment surrounding the embryo in a seed. Enzyme An organic substance produced by a plant that causes chemical changes in other substances. ExoskeletonThe external supporting structure of an insect. ExudateA substance that is produced and given off by a plant, as in root exudate.

FertilizationThe union of the male cell in pollen with the ovule, or female cell. Flea beetleA tiny, very active black beetle, about 1/16-inch long, that eats small holes in the leaves of plants. Fluorescent lampA glass tube coated on the inside with phosphorescent powder, with glows when exposed to a stream of electrons from the electrode. FruitBotanically, a ripened, seed-containing ovary. GibberellinA growth hormone produced by plants.

Hardening off The process of exposing young plants gradually to the stresses of outdoor life. HeterosisHybrid vigor, exceptional vitality sometimes seen in a first-generation cross. HormoneA substance made by plant tissue that has the effect of stimulating certain plant functions. HotbedA glass- or plastic-enclosed frame that is heated by buried manure or an electric soil cable and is used for raising early plants. HybridA plant grown from seed obtained by cross-fertilizing two different plant varieties. ImbibitionThe absorption of water by a seed. Incandescent lampA bulb that produces light (and some heat) when the filament it contains receives an electric charge. KelpA sea plant used in fertilizer. LoamA well-balanced soil consisting of approximately 40 percent sand, 40 percent silt, and 20 percent clay. MetabolismThe chemical and physical processes necessary to maintain a living organism. Mutation A change in the gene pattern (and therefore characteristics) of a plant, which can be inherited by succeeding generations. Open-PollinatedReferring to nonhybrid plants or seeds. OvaryThe hollow chamber at the base of the pistil, containing one or more ovules. OvuleThe female cell, or egg. Pathogen A disease-producing microorganism. PerennialA plant that bears flowers and fruit very year, surviving the winter. Some perennials live for 30 years or more; others die after 5 to 15 years. PerliteVolcanic rock that has been popped (heat expanded). Photoperiodism The influence of the length of the daily period of darkness on the blooming habit of plants. Some plants need short nights in order to bloom; others need long nights; others (including many vegetables) are neutralnot sensitive one way or the other.

PhotosynthesisThe formation, by the living plant, of carbohydrates from water and carbon dioxide through the action of sunlight on the chlorophyll in the leaves. PhototropismThe tendency of plants to grow toward a light source. PhytochromeThe coloring matter in plants. PistilThe female part of flower, consisting of an ovary containing at least one ovule, topped by a style and stigma. A carpel is a simple pistil. Compound pistils contain multiple carpels. PollenMinute grains formed by the flower, which fertilize the ovule to produce the seeds of a new plant generation. Pollen is the male element in plants. PollinationThe transfer of pollen from another to stigma. Precedes fertilization. Respiration The energy-releasing process carried on by all living cells, in which oxygen is take in and combined with carbohydrates to form carbon dioxide and water. The chemical reaction is the opposite of what happens in photosynthesis. ScarifyingThe practice of scratching or notching the seed coat to hasten germination. Seed A fertilized, ripened plant ovule. A living embryonic plant. Self-fertile Referring to a plants ability to produce fruit after accepting its own pollen. Self-incompatibleReferring to the uneven maturation of pollen and ovule, sometimes necessitating cross-pollination if the plant is to bear fruit. Self-unfertile Referring to a plants inability to set fruit from its own pollen. ShatteringIn seed saving, the prompt dispersal of seeds as soon as they are ripe. Stamen The male part of the flower, bearing on its tip the pollen-containing another. Sterilize To kill all living microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and so forth), as by heat. StigmaThe pollen-receptive tip of a flower pistil. StratificationChilling seeds to promote germination. It is desirable for the seed to have absorbed some water before chilling. Style The slender part of the pistil, rising from the ovary and terminating in the have stigma.

Succession plantingThe practice of sowing a second crop to closely follow the harvest of the first crop. Synthesize To combine separate elements into a new form. Trace elements Elements that are necessary for growth but in very small amounts. Boron, manganese, copper, and zinc are trace elements. Transpiration The evaporation of internal water from plant leaves. Ultraviolet Light rays with short wavelength found just beyond the violet band in the visible spectrum. VermiculiteA form of heat-expanded mica used in soil mixes. VernalizationThe practice of chilling young plants to induce early flowering. Viable Capable of germinating. WattA unit of electric power, measuring a current of one ampere under one volt of pressure. ZygoteThe single cell formed by the union of the male and female plant cells.