CHEAT SHEET

Growth Terms

• Photosynthesis: The process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and energy in the form of glucose.

• Germination: The process where a seed begins to sprout and grow into a seedling. Influenced by water, temperature, and light.

• Transpiration: The process of water movement through a plant and evaporation from aerial parts like leaves, stems, and flowers.

• Vigour: A plant’s overall health and capacity for growth under optimal conditions.

• Chlorosis: Yellowing of plant leaves due to lack of chlorophyll, often caused by nutrient deficiencies, poor drainage, or disease.

• Meristem: Plant tissue that remains capable of growth and differentiation; located at tips of roots and shoots for continual growth.

• Turgor Pressure: Pressure of water inside the plant cell walls that keeps the plant rigid and upright.

• Node: The part of a plant stem where leaves, branches, or flowers grow, and where growth can be measured.

• Adventitious Roots: Roots that grow from non-root tissues, often in response to stress or for added support.

Disease Terms

• Pathogen: A disease-causing organism, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes, that can infect plants.

• Blight: A general term for rapid and complete plant death caused by a pathogen, often seen in leaves, stems, or flowers.

• Wilt: A condition where leaves droop or collapse due to water loss, poor nutrient uptake, or root disease.

• Mildew: Fungal growth on plants, typically white or grey, affecting leaves and stems. Common types include powdery mildew and downy mildew.

• Rot: Decomposition of plant tissues due to fungal or bacterial infection. Types include root rot, stem rot, and crown rot.

• Necrosis: Death of plant tissue, often appearing as brown or black spots on leaves or stems, due to disease or stress.

• Canker: A localized dead area on the bark or stems of plants, usually caused by fungal or bacterial infections.

• Leaf Spot: Localized dead tissue on leaves, usually circular spots caused by fungi or bacteria.

• Damping Off: A fungal disease that affects seedlings, causing them to collapse and die soon after germination.

Virus and Pest Terms

• Virus: A submicroscopic pathogen that can infect plants, causing symptoms like mottling, curling, and stunted growth.

• Mosaic Virus: A viral disease that causes mottled or patchy discoloration on leaves, reducing plant health and yield.

• Viral Vector: An organism, often an insect like aphids or whiteflies, that transmits plant viruses from one plant to another.

• Inoculation: The introduction of a pathogen or virus into a plant, often referring to virus transmission or purposeful introduction for resistance studies.

• Gall: An abnormal growth on plant tissues, often caused by insects, bacteria, fungi, or nematodes.

• Systemic Infection: When a virus or pathogen spreads throughout the entire plant, affecting growth, yield, and health across all parts.

• Vector: An organism that carries and spreads disease-causing pathogens. Examples include insects, mites, and nematodes.

• Mycoplasma: A group of bacteria-like organisms that cause diseases in plants, often spread by insect vectors.

Preventive and Treatment Terms

• Fungicide: A chemical or biological substance used to kill or inhibit fungal pathogens.

• Bactericide: A chemical substance used to kill or control bacterial pathogens.

• Biocontrol: The use of natural predators or parasites to control pests and diseases in plants.

• Resistant Variety: A plant variety bred or genetically modified to resist specific pathogens, pests, or environmental conditions.

• Sanitation: Practices used to prevent the spread of diseases and pests, including removing infected plant material and disinfecting tools.

• Quarantine: The isolation of infected plants or crops to prevent the spread of diseases to healthy plants.

• IPM (Integrated Pest Management): A holistic approach to controlling pests and diseases using a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical strategies.