Agronomist dictionary

Machinery and irrigation

Vacuum metering system

A planter mechanism that uses air pressure differential to hold seeds onto a rotating disc for precise, singulated placement in the furrow.

Weather and climate

Vapor pressure deficit

The difference between the amount of moisture in the air and how much moisture the air can hold when saturated at a specific temperature.

Digital farming

Variable rate and coordinate-based field management

This is a precision farming method where field operations are executed based on specific geographic coordinates to optimize resource application and equipment p...

Machinery and irrigation

Variable Rate Application (VRA)

A precision farming technique that automatically adjusts the amount of fertilizer applied across a field based on site-specific soil and crop needs.

Digital farming

Variable Rate Seeding

A precision agriculture practice that adjusts the seeding density across a field based on site-specific soil characteristics and yield potential.

Digital farming

Variable tillage

A precision farming practice that involves adjusting tillage depth and methods across a field based on site-specific soil conditions and crop needs.

Breeding and seed production

Varietal identification

The process of verifying that a specific crop or seed lot conforms to the defined characteristics and genetic profile of a particular variety.

Storage and economics

Varietal purity

Varietal purity is a metric indicating the degree to which seeds or plants conform to the specific morphological and biological characteristics of a given culti...

Breeding and seed production

Varietal qualities

These are the genetically determined characteristics and traits of a plant that define its identity, productivity, and suitability for specific growing environm...

Breeding and seed production

Variety adaptability

The ability of a crop variety to maintain consistent yields and performance across varying environmental and soil conditions within a specific region.

Breeding and seed production

Variety differentiation

The practice of managing different crop varieties separately to optimize their specific yield potential and synchronize farming operations like harvesting.

Breeding and seed production

Variety renewal

A systematic replacement of commercial seeds with high-quality certified seed stock to maintain the genetic integrity and yield potential of a crop variety.

Breeding and seed production

Variety replacement

The planned transition from older, less productive crop varieties to newer, higher-yielding ones with improved agronomic traits.

Breeding and seed production

Variety testing

A process of evaluating new crop varieties through field trials to determine their agronomic performance, productivity, and suitability for specific environment...

Digital farming

Vegetation Index

This is a mathematical indicator based on remote sensing data, used to estimate the density, health, and biomass of vegetation in a field.

Weather and climate

Vegetation minimum

This is the minimum level of environmental factors, such as temperature, required for a plant to sustain its vital metabolic processes and development.

Growth and development

Vegetative phase

The stage of plant development between germination and the initiation of reproductive organs, primarily focusing on stem and leaf growth.

Nutrition and fertilizers

Vermiculite

Vermiculite is a processed natural mineral that serves as a lightweight soil conditioner, effectively enhancing moisture retention, aeration, and nutrient avail...

Growth and development

Vernalization

An agronomic practice of exposing seeds to low temperatures to accelerate the plant's transition to the reproductive flowering stage.

Storage and economics

Voidage of grain bulk

It is the ratio of the volume of intergranular air spaces to the total volume occupied by the grain mass, expressed as a percentage.

Digital farming

VRA (Variable Rate Application)

An agricultural practice that automatically adjusts the application rate of seeds, fertilizers, or pesticides based on site-specific field characteristics.