Food Security Decoder is your go-to glossary for simple, clear definitions of key terms in agriculture, nutrition, and food systems. Break down the jargon, understand policy, and engage with food security like a pro.
There are currently 26 terms in this directory beginning with the letter B.
B
Backcross
A breeding method where a hybrid organism is crossed with one of its parents or a genetically similar individual to achieve offspring with genetic traits closer to the parent.
Related Terms: Hybrid, Genetics, Breeding
Bactericide
A chemical substance used to kill or inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in crops, livestock, or food production.
Related Terms: Pesticide, Fungicide, Antimicrobial
Bagasse
The fibrous by-product left after extracting juice from sugarcane or sorghum, often used as fuel, livestock feed, or in bioenergy production.
Related Terms: Biomass, Residue, Renewable Energy
Baled Silage
Fermented, high-moisture fodder that is baled and stored in airtight conditions for livestock feeding.
Related Terms: Silage, Forage, Feed
Baling
The process of compressing and binding hay, straw, or other agricultural materials into compact bundles for storage and transport.
Related Terms: Silage, Harvesting, Forage
Barb
A farm building used for storing crops, housing animals, or storing equipment.
Related Terms: Shed, Stable, Granary
Biochar
A stable form of charcoal produced by heating organic waste in a low-oxygen environment, used to improve soil fertility and sequester carbon.
Related Terms: Soil Amendment, Carbon Sequestration, Sustainable Agriculture
Biocontrol Agent
A living organism, such as a predator, parasite, or pathogen, used to suppress pest populations naturally.
Related Terms: Biological Pest Control, Integrated Pest Management, Beneficial Insects
Biodegradable
Materials or substances that can break down naturally through the action of microorganisms, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Related Terms: Compostable, Organic Matter, Sustainability
Biodiversity
The variety of living organisms within a particular area, ecosystem, or on the planet, critical for maintaining healthy and resilient food systems.
Related Terms: Ecosystem Services, Genetic Diversity, Conservation
Biofertilizer
A substance containing living microorganisms that promote plant growth by increasing the supply or availability of essential nutrients.
Related Terms: Fertilizer, Organic Farming, Soil Health
Biogas
A renewable fuel produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, such as animal waste or crop residues, which can be used for energy or cooking.
Related Terms: Renewable Energy, Circular Economy, Anaerobic Digestion
Biological Pest Control
The use of living organisms such as predators, parasites, or pathogens to control agricultural pests, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.
Related Terms: Integrated Pest Management, Natural Enemies, Sustainable Farming
Biomass
Organic material from plants and animals that can be used as fuel, energy, or raw material for various products.
Related Terms: Renewable Energy, Crop Residues, Bioenergy
Biopesticide
A type of pesticide derived from natural materials like plants, bacteria, fungi, or certain minerals that control agricultural pests.
Related Terms: Pesticide, Organic Farming, Integrated Pest Management
Biorational Pesticides
Environmentally friendly pest control products derived from natural sources and considered less harmful to humans and ecosystems.
Related Terms: Biopesticide, Organic Farming, Integrated Pest Management
Biotechnology
The use of living systems and organisms to develop or modify products, often used in agriculture to enhance crop yield, pest resistance, or nutrient content.
Related Terms: Genetic Modification, Genomics, Precision Agriculture
Botany
The scientific study of plants, including their structure, function, growth, and classification.
Related Terms: Plant Science, Agronomy, Horticulture
Breeder Seed
High-quality, genetically pure seed produced by plant breeders and used to generate foundation or certified seed for wider farmer use.
Related Terms: Seed Multiplication, Certified Seed, Plant Breeding
Brix
A measurement of the sugar content in fruits, vegetables, or plant juices, commonly used to assess quality and ripeness.
Related Terms: Sugar Content, Crop Quality, Postharvest
Broadcast Seedling
A method of sowing seeds by scattering them evenly across the soil surface rather than planting them in rows or holes.
Related Terms: Seeding, Aerial Seeding, Direct Sowing
Broadleaf Herbicide
A chemical herbicide formulated to control broadleaf weeds in crops without damaging grasses or cereal crops.
Related Terms: Weed Control, Selective Herbicide, Crop Protection
Buffer Zone
A designated area between agricultural land and sensitive environments to reduce contamination, prevent erosion, or support biodiversity.
Related Terms: Conservation Agriculture, Riparian Zone, Environmental Management
Bulk Commodity
Agricultural goods such as grains, oilseeds, or fibers that are traded in large, undifferentiated quantities rather than as branded or processed products.
Related Terms: Staple Crops, Commodity Market, Value Chain
Bush Fallow
A traditional farming practice where land is cultivated for a few years and then left fallow under natural bush regrowth to restore soil fertility.
Related Terms: Shifting Cultivation, Soil Regeneration, Sustainable Land Management
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