Glossary 217
the same species, for example, spinach, hops, hemp, date palm, papaya,
pointed gourd, little gourd, asparagus, and so on.
Diploid: Organism or cell with two sets of chromosomes.
Disbudding: The removal of unwanted vegetative or flower buds.
Diseased plant: A plant that is abnormal because of a disease-causing organism or
virus.
Drip irrigation: The application of small quantities of water directly to the root
zone through various types of delivery systems on a daily basis.
Drip line: The circle that would exist if you draw a line below the tips of the outer
most branches of a tree or plant.
Dwarf: A genetically one-fourth or less smaller plant as compared to normal size
due to lesser intermodal space.
Emasculation: Removal of stamens before they burst and shed their pollen.
Endemic: Native or local to an area.
Endocarp: The inner area of the fruit wall.
Ethylene: Naturally occurring gas responsible for fruit ripening.
Etiolation: Stretching of a plant and loss of colour due to a lack of needed light.
Exocarp: The outer skin like region of the fruit wall.
F 1 : Generation that arises from a given crossing and known as the filial generation.
F 2 : Generation produced by selfing the F 1 known as the second filial generation.
F 1 hybrid: A first generation of a cross of different plants.
Feminisation: The hormonally induced development of female sexual characteristics.
Fertile: Capable of producing seed.
Fertiliser: Organic or inorganic plant food used to amend the soil in order to improve
the quality or quantity of plant growth.
Field inspection: An official inspection of seed fields conducted by the official of a
certification agency or his authorised agent.
Fleshy fruits: Classification of fruits that includes the berry, drupe and pome.
They have a fruit wall that is soft and fleshy at maturity.
Flower: A shoot of determinate growth with modified leaves that is supported by
a short stem and structure involved in the reproductive processes of plants
that bear enclosed seeds in their fruits.
Foliar feeding: Fertiliser applied in the liquid form to the plants foliage in a fine
sp r ay.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): An agency of the United Nations
serving both developed and developing countries. It helps developing coun-
tries in transition modernise, improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries
practices and also ensure good nutrition for all.
Foundation seed: Seed stock handled to most nearly maintain specific genetic iden-
tity and purity under supervised or approved production methods certified
by the agency.
Fruit: An expanded, ripened ovary with attached and subtending reproductive
structures.
Full-sib: Term used in population improvement. A full-sib family comprises progeny
from a cross between two selected plants within the population.
Fumigation: Use of gas or vapours that sterilise soils or containers.