GLOSSARY

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Abnormal Seedling - A seedling (in a germination test) that does not have the essential structures indicative of the ability to produce a normal plant under favourable conditions.
Absorption - The uptake of moisture into the tissues of an organism (e.g. seed).
Accelerated Ageing - A vigour test in which the ability of seeds to germinate is assessed after their exposure to a short period of environmental stress (high temperature and humidity).
Accession - Plant material collected overseas and brought into a country for evaluation.
Achene - A small, dry, one-seeded fruit with a thin, dry wall that does not split open at maturity (e.g. sunflower seed).
Admixture - Something added to seed other than the species and / or cultivar specified.
Adsorption - The accumulation and adhesion of a thin layer of water (or gases) on the surface of another substance.
After-ripening - A term for collective changes that occur in a dormant seed that make it capable of germination. It is usually considered to denote physiological changes.
Agronomic Characters - Plant characteristics important in the adaption of a plant to its commercial uses.
Air Screen Cleaner - The basic piece of equipment for cleaning seed, utilising airflow, and perforated screens.
Aleurone Layer - The layer of high protein cells surrounding the storage cells of the endosperm. Its function is to secrete hydrolytic enzymes for digesting food reserves in the endosperm.
Angiosperm - A kind of plant that has seeds formed within an ovary.
Annual - The type of plant that normally starts from seed, produces its flowers, fruits, and seeds, and then dies within one growing season.
Anther - The sac-like structure of the male part (stamen) of a flower in which the pollen is formed. Anthers normally have two lobes or cavities that dehisce at anthesis and allow the pollen to disperse.
Anthesis - The period of flowering, specifically the time when the stigma is ready to receive the dispersed pollen.
AOSA - The initials of the Association of Official Seed Analysts, the organisation of state and federal seed analysts of the United States and Canada.
AOSCA - The initials of the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies, the organisation of certification agencies of the United States and Canada.
Apomixis - Seed development without the benefit of sexual fusion of the egg and the sperm cells.
Aspirator - An air-blast separator. A seed conditioning (cleaning) machine that uses air to separate according to specific gravity (weight) and resistance to airflow.
Asexual Reproduction - Reproduction by vegetative means without the fusion of two sexual cells.
ASTA - The initials of the American Seed Trade Association.
Awn - A slender appendage often associated with seeds, such as the "beards" of wheat or barley.