Category: M

manioc: the French name for cassava, used as an animal feedingstuff. Growing manioc can provide a valuable feed source for livestock, particularly in regions where it is a staple crop, improving farm sustainability and reducing feed costs.

Minorca: a breed of poultry, originating in the Mediterranean. The birds are black or white in colour. Raising Minorca chickens can provide farmers with high-quality eggs and meat, contributing to diversified income and improved farm sustainability.

monilia brown rot: same as brown rot. Understanding and managing brown rot can help farmers protect their fruit crops and ensure better yields.

MDC: abbreviation Milk Development Council. Understanding the role of the Milk Development Council can help farmers access resources and support for improving milk production and quality.

mouldboard: the main part of a plough, which turns over the surface soil. Proper maintenance and use of mouldboards can help farmers improve soil cultivation and crop production, ensuring better productivity.

metre: an SI unit of length. The area is four metres by three. Symbol m. Understanding the metric system can help farmers communicate and manage resources more effectively, ensuring better accuracy and efficiency.

myrmecology: the study of ants. Understanding myrmecology can help farmers manage ant populations and protect their crops, ensuring better productivity.

minimum tillage: a method of ploughing in which disturbance of the soil does not affect the deeper layers. The benefits are conservation of organic matter, leading to a better soil structure and less soil erosion, better soil biodiversity and the use of less energy. The disadvantages include the easier germination of grass seeds. Also called min-till. Understanding minimum tillage can help farmers optimize their soil and crop management practices, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.

marsh: an area of permanently wet land and the plants that grow on it. Marshes may be fresh water or salt water and tidal or non-tidal. A marsh usually has a soil base, as opposed to a bog or fen, which is composed of peat. Understanding the role of marshes in the ecosystem can help farmers manage wetland areas on their property, contributing to environmental sustainability.

mineral nutrients: nutrients except carbon, hydrogen and oxygen which are inorganic and are absorbed by plants from the soil. Understanding the role of mineral nutrients can help farmers manage soil and crop health more effectively, ensuring better productivity and sustainability.