Author: April Kingsman

zero tillage: Zero tillage uses herbicides instead of tilling the soil before sowing crops. This practice helps farmers reduce soil erosion and maintain soil health.

heart rot: A disease of sugar beet and mangolds, caused by boron deficiency. Managing boron levels in soil helps prevent heart rot and ensures healthy crop growth.

Non-dairy products that serve as substitutes for milk, such as soy, almond, and oat milk. Milk alternatives cater to consumers with dietary restrictions or preferences. For instance, producing plant-based milk alternatives to meet the growing demand for lactose-free products.

sugar cane: a large perennial grass, whose stems contain a sweet sap. COMMENT: Sugar cane is rich in sucrose which is extracted and used for making sugar. Cane sugar is now one of the most scientifically produced tropical products, although cutting is still often done by hand. Cane is grown in many tropical and subtropical regions, in particular in the Caribbean. The principal sugar producers are Cuba, India, Brazil, China, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii for cane sugar, and Russia, the Ukraine, France, and Germany for beet sugar. Rum is a by-product of sugar cane. Properly managing sugar cane crops ensures healthy growth and high yields, supporting farm productivity and profitability.

smallholding: a small agricultural unit under 20 hectares in area. Managing smallholdings efficiently supports diverse and sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to local food security and economic resilience.

Fishmeal: A powder of dried fish, used as an animal feed or fertilizer. Using fishmeal as feed enhances livestock nutrition and supports sustainable farming practices.

oasis effect: The loss of water from an irrigated area due to hot dry air coming from an unirrigated area nearby. Understanding and mitigating the oasis effect is crucial for efficient water management in irrigation. Farmers can benefit from using windbreaks or adjusting irrigation schedules to reduce water loss and improve crop hydration.

oxidise: To form an oxide by the reaction of oxygen with another chemical substance. Managing oxidation processes is important for preserving the quality of feed and crops. Farmers can benefit from understanding how to prevent unwanted oxidation to maintain the nutritional value and freshness of their products.

PDA: Abbreviation Potash Development Association. The association provides valuable information and resources for optimizing potash use in agriculture.

halophyte: A plant that is able to grow in salty soil, as in estuaries. Cultivating halophytes can be a sustainable practice for farms in coastal or saline regions.