UC ANR Scientific glossary

Feb 11, 2011

Consumers continue to be interested in how food is produced.  For those not fluent in agriculture-related terms, the UC IPM Glossary can be very helpful.

Words included in the glossary cover a wide range of related terms.  Definitions are brief, and written in easy to understand language that include:

  • antagonists. Organisms that release toxins or otherwise change conditions so that activity or growth of other organisms (especially pests) is reduced.
  • chorion. The outer membrane of an insect egg.

  • inoculum. Any part or stage of a pathogen, such as spores or virus particles, that can infect a host.
  • treatment threshold. The level of pest population at which a pesticide or other control measure is needed to prevent eventual economic injury to the crop.

  • urediospore.  Spore produced by a rust fungus that spreads the infection to other hosts.

  • véraison. Beginning of fruit ripening, recognized by berry softening and beginning of pigmentation in colored varieties.