Soil salinization is defined as the increase in water-soluble salts in soil which is responsible for increasing the osmotic pressure of the soil. In turn, this negatively affects plant growth because less water is made available to plants. (Status of the World’s Soil Resources, FAO/ITPS, 2015 http://www.fao.org/3/a-bc607e.pdf)
A holistic approach that seeks to create a balance between economic growth, social well-being, and environmental health. It aims to foster a world where all people can meet their needs, both now and in the future, by promoting practices that are equitable, efficient, and ecologically sound. (FAOLEX. 2025. Glossary https://www.fao.org/faolex/)
he thoracic cavity (or chest cavity) is the chamber of the body of vertebrates that is protected by the thoracic wall (rib cage and associated skin, muscle, and fascia). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoracic_cavity)
Thorn, a short, rigid process of a plant, developed from from a bud typical of a leafy branch; ‘a stiff, sharp pointed protective outgrowth or plant process, as a modified leaf, leaf part, petiole or stipule. (Missouri Botanical Garden. 2024. A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin. [Cited 11 November 2024]. https://www.mobot.org/mobot/latindict/search_text.aspx)
Soil that has not been used for agricultural purposes or disturbed by humans at all. (Adapted from IRRI, 2002. Acronyms and Glossary of Rice Related Terminology http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/images/docs/acronyms-and-glossary-of-rice-related-terminology.pdf)
Measures and practices aimed to reduce: (a) the quantity of waste, including the re-use of products or the extension of the life span of products; (b) the adverse impacts of the generated waste on the environment and human health; or (c) the content of hazardous substances in materials and products. (FAOLEX. 2025. Glossary https://www.fao.org/faolex/)
Young female cattle that have not yet calved. (Adapted from EuroStat. 2025. Statistics Explained. Glossary:Cattle https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/SEPDF/cache/2380.pdf)
Note
The age limit for designation as heifer varies between countries, and is generally within 12-42 months. Occasionally the term first-calf heifer is used to describe a young female that has had only one calf.
