Vegetation Reproduction

The continued establishment and reproduction of a plant without being reproduced from seed. Grasses vegetatively reproduce due to growth by stolons, rhizomes and tillering. Vegetative reproduction is a common type of asexual reproduction in grasses, especially turfgrasses.

  Vernalisation

The process in which plants are exposed to cold conditions to encourage them to initiate flowering. The extent of exposure can vary from a few weeks to several months, and from temperatures at zero Celsius or higher. Vernalisation helps plants ensure they do not flower too early, which increases their chances of survival and reproduction. Winter wheat is a typical example of an annual plant that germinates in the autumn, and seeds in late spring to early summer.

  Vertebrate

An animal with a backbone (i.e. a vertebrae). Mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians all fall within this category.

  Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza

A symbiotic association between a fungus (from the phylum Glomeromycota) and plant roots. Also called Endomycorrhiza, see Mycorrhizae.

  Visual Merit

A characteristic which is used to evaluate the relative suitability of a turfgrass cultivar. It is an aggregated measure of the different characteristics of colour, disease resistance, leaf width and sward density.

  Volatilisation

The loss or movement in the air of a substance through vapour. Typical examples include that of ammonia being lost from the soil during denitrification, and an active ingredient through a pesticide spray when applied in warm conditions.

  Volume Median Diameter

A central measure of Spray Quality from nozzles where one-half of the volume of spray has droplets larger in volume than this figure and one-half of droplet sizes are smaller.

  Walkover Observational Survey

This is useful technique for the recording of plants and mammals. It can help to determine habitats and also the boundaries of vegetation. This is a very simple and easy way to collect data quickly and would form the commonest technique used for general surveys. Advantages include: • Provides an initial baseline estimate of the subject matter. • This can be repeated on a frequent basis to monitor significant changes. • Complete record sheets on the move. • Cheap; only a notebook needed. Disadvantages include: • Not an accurate representation of subject matte

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  Washboarding

A corrugated wave like appearance to a turf surface caused by continually mowing in the same direction. This occurs with the use of a cylinder mower. It might also be referred to as ‘corrugating'.

  Water Dispersible Granule

A material, typically a fertiliser or pesticide, which is formulated as a granule. When it is added to and diluted in water the granule will break apart and become evenly dispersed within the water, especially following agitation, allowing for a solution which is a fine particle suspension that can be readily applied to a plant and sward. These granules are easy to store, handle and mix in with water and are mainly dust free.