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Any of several leguminous plants, or their seeds, long utilized as food by humans or livestock. There are more than 40,000 varieties of beans, with only a small number of these being mass-produced for human or animal consumption. In particular,…

A coarse, erect, annual herb plant, Ricinus communis, belonging to the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The castor plant (Ricinus communis) is a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) in the order Malpighiales. The plant varies greatly in height…

Any member of the grass family (Poaceae or Gramineae) that produces edible grains usable as food by humans and livestock. Cereals are important cultivated crops. Common cereals include rice, wheat, barley, oats, maize (corn), sorghum, rye, and…

The science, art, and practice of managing and using the natural resources that occur on and in association with forested lands. Forestry is the management of forested lands (see illustration). It involves the planning and implementation of…

Plants that have altered genetic material (DNA) through recombinant DNA (rDNA) manipulation. Genetic engineering of plants allows for very specific genetic changes to be made to a plant's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), as opposed to the random…

Commercially grown plants that have altered genetic material through artificial recombinant manipulation. Genetic modification is the latest scientific tool for developing improved crop varieties. Such genetically modified (GM) crops can help to…

The artificial application of water to the soil to produce plant growth. Irrigation also cools the soil and atmosphere, making the environment favorable for plant growth. The use of some form of irrigation (Fig. 1) is well documented throughout the…

An annual leafy leguminous vine, Pisum sativum (order Fabales), cultivated for its smooth or wrinkled, round edible seeds, which are borne in dehiscent pods. The garden pea (Fig. 1) is one of the world's oldest cultivated crops. It is a native of…

The planning and implementation of actions to establish, protect, restore, and maintain trees and forests in cities and smaller communities. When the field of urban forestry began in the 1960s, it focused on individual trees along streets and…