Precision agriculture is the use of advanced technology, equipment, and data analytics to improve crop production practices. Farmers analyze data from their machines, from their fields, and even from satellite imagery to help them be more efficient and accurate with their use of natural resources, such as water, soil, and fuel, as well as their use of inputs, such as fertilizer and crop protection products.

Land used for agriculture to grow food, animal feed, biofuel, etc.

Biological diversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.

The breakdown of contaminants through microbial activity.

Small strips of land kept in permanent vegetation, located between primary crops, for the purpose of intercepting pollutants, slowing erosion and managing environmental concerns. These strips often also provide habitat for native wildlife and pollinators.

Crop protection is the collection of tools, products, and best practices farmers use to protect their crops from the negative impact of weeds, pests, and disease.

The inherent property of an agent or situation which has the potential to cause adverse effects when an organism, system or population is exposed to that agent, based on its chemical, physical or biological characteristics (e.g. the intrinsic hazard of sharp knife is to cut).

Compilation of all study reports and accompanying documents necessary to register an active substance or a plant protection product.

Half maximal effective concentration (EC50) refers to the concentration of a substance which induces a response halfway between the baseline and maximum after a specified exposure time, i.e. the rate at which 50% of the maximal effect is observed

Half maximal effective rate (ER50) refers to the rate of a substance which induces a response halfway between the baseline and maximum after a specified exposure time, i.e. the rate at which 50% of the maximal effect is observed.

Safety standards are the rules and criteria we use to ensure that our crop protection products can be used safely. This concerns the datasets, the models and the methods we use to assess the safety of the use of our crop protection products, as well as the risk management measures to ensure their safe use.

Good Agricultural Practice, or GAP, is a term used to define the conditions under which a plant protection product should be used. Key factors considered include the disease or pests affected by the product, the maximum allowed number of applications and their timing, the maximum product application rates per treatment, the amount of water to be used with the product, the PHI (pre-harvest interval, or time between final application and harvest), and protective measures to be taken while using the product (e.g. clothing to be worn). 

As studies to elucidate the behavior of a plant protection compound might be very time-consuming and expensive the necessary information is partly derived via a tiered approach. It means that the first study might be a relatively simple, fast, and cheap but also very conservative study (usually laboratory studies). If the outcome cannot demonstrate the necessary safety of the compound a higher Tier study needs to be conducted. Higher Tier in this context means a study that is closer to nature/reality and is more complex and consequently more time-consuming and expensive. Besides this second tier study, there might even be a third Tier study which is then even more complex, time-consuming, and more expensive. Depending on the study type these third Tier studies are often critical in the timeline to submission. The results of the higher Tier study overrule those of the simpler study because the higher tier studies are set up to be closer to nature/reality and therefore more relevant.

Such as weediness, potential gene flow to wild relatives, susceptibility to disease, and impacts on plant/insect interactions.

A safety margin is the factor that is added to account for uncertainties. For example, if a chronic test in fish showed no effects at 10μg/L, an assessment factor of 10 is still added, meaning that the acceptable concentration in water would be only 1μg/L. Safety factors in environmental risk assessments vary depending on area and test system, and are typically higher for the assessment of acute effects than for chronic effects.

Median lethal dose (LD50) is an indication of the lethal toxicity of a given substance, representing a dose at which 50% of subjects die.

Lethal rate (LR50) is an indication of the lethal toxicity of a given substance, representing a rate at which 50% of subjects die.

In agriculture, microbial products are those made from microorganisms to help protect crops from disease and pests, and to encourage healthy growth.

(Maximum Residue Level) The potential residues on a harvested crop are regulated by a maximum level. From the respective residue study data a proposal for a maximum residue limit (MRL) can be calculated using official calculation tools. If the use is deemed to be safe, the calculated MRL is taken up into an official register and is then a legal limit. When a product is used as recommended (according to the Good Agricultural Practice GAP) the resulting residues will then be below the MRL.

(No Observable Adverse Effect Level) The highest dose where no recognizable harmful effects are observed. To find a safe toxicological reference dose the highest dose where no harmful effects are observed in toxicological studies is determined. This dose is called the NOAEL. The safe toxicological reference dose is then calculated by dividing the NOAEL by a safety factor of at least 100.

No observable effect level, the level of exposure at which no effects of the substance were seen.

Soil organic material is anything that was once alive and is now in or on the soil as it is decomposed into humus. Humus is organic material that has been decomposed by microorganisms and is readily changing form and mass as it decomposes.

The practice of planting more than one crop at a time in a particular region or field.

Designed to support precise approaches to nutrient management, grid sampling is the practice of taking multiple samples of soil per acre. Traditional soil sampling densities were 1 or 2 samples for every 3 or 4 acres. Grid sampling calls for as many as 42 samples per acre which are mapped and flagged throughout the field digitally, leading to an improved understanding of variability in soil nutrient needs on across the field.

Biotechnology, or genetic engineering, is the process of using living organisms to improve qualities of a plant such as the plant’s ability to protect itself against damage or improving upon its ability to grow and produce.

As studies to elucidate the behavior of a plant protection compound might be very time consuming and expensive the necessary information is partly derived via a tiered approach. It means that the first study might be a relatively simple, fast and cheap but also very conservative study (usually laboratory studies). If the outcome cannot demonstrate the necessary safety of the compound a higher Tier study needs to be conducted. Higher Tier in this context means a study which is closer to nature/reality and is more complex and consequently more time consuming and expensive. Beside this second Tier study there might even be a third Tier study which is then even more complex, time consuming and more expensive. Depending on the study type these third Tier studies are often critical in the timeline to submission. The results of the higher Tier study overrule those of the simpler study because the higher tier studies are set up to be closer to nature/reality and therefore more relevant.  

A mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus fungi, which grow whenever conditions are favorable (high moisture and temperature). Occurs in many diverse sources, ranging from major cereal crops to peanut butter, nuts and spices. Aflatoxins are genotoxic and among the most carcinogenic substances known. The main target organ in humans is the liver, but the risk of developing gallbladder cancer is also increased.

Plant breeding has historically been defined as the cross-breeding of plants in order to develop offspring containing a desired characteristic found in one or both of the parents. 

Safety standards are the rules and criteria we use to ensure that our crop protection products can be used safely. This concerns the datasets, the models and the methods we use to assess the safety of the use of our crop protection products, as well as the risk management measures to ensure their safe use.

Simple trenches filled with wood chips that filter water running from drain tile on farms. Their use helps reduce nitrate runoff into nearby waterways.

Qualitative and quantitative processes used to enhance productivity and business gain. In agriculture, analytics help farmers become more efficient with their resources, more precise with the timing and rate of inputs, and reduces impact on the environment in the process.

Plant material that remains after harvest. Can include stalks, leaves, and roots.

Crop scouting, also known as field scouting, is the very basic action of traveling through a crop field, usually on foot, while making frequent stops for observations. Crop scouting is done so that a farmer can see how different areas of his or her field are growing and what stressors or pests may be present. If there are problems during the growing season, the farmer can work to mitigate them so those problems do not affect yield at harvest time.

Growth and development of the plant is as intended

Stalks, leaves, and cobs that remain in a cornfield after harvest. These materials are the primary source for cellulosic ethanol production and can at times be gathered for animal feeds or grazed. Also referred to as crop residue.

Quality System, providing the formal framework for the conditions under which non-clinical health and environmental safety studies are planned, performed, monitored, recorded, reported, and archived. The details are laid down in legislative regulations as OECD Advisory Documents, EPA and FDA Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) rules and other national laws as e.g. German Chemical Law.

Median lethal concentration (LC50) is an indication of the lethal toxicity of a given substance, representing a concentration at which 50% of subjects die.

No observable effect concentration, the concentration of a substance at which no effects were seen.

An Oxford-style debate is a debate over a predetermined statement—otherwise called a “motion.” Two teams argue “for” or “against” the statement within a formalized structure. The motion for this particular event will be: Pesticides are not necessary for a resilient EU food system.

Piping systems, most commonly corrugated plastic tubing, that are placed underneath the soil to remove excess water from a field of crops. This allows roots to develop to their desired depth and removes standing water from lower portions of the field. This also assists in minimizing erosion by helping excess water exit the field.

Any substance or mixture of substances used to alter the life cycle of any pest. They can be naturally derived or synthetically produced. Herbicide: pesticide for weeds Insecticide: pesticide for insects Fungicide: pesticide for fungus Miticide: pesticide for mites Nematicide: pesticide for nematodes

Plant physically looks and functions as intended

"Strip-till” is a system in which residue-free strips of soil are tilled ahead of planting using a knife apparatus, such as a fertilizer injection shank. The strips are approximately 6 inches wide or about 1/3 the row width and 4 to 8 inches deep. These strips are cleared of residue and tilled for warming and drying purposes either before or during the planting operation. Fertilizer is often incorporated at time of strip tillage for better seed placement. The seeds are planted directly into the strip of loosened soil. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail//?cid=nrcs142p2_008163

A mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi species. Occurs mainly in cereals and corn. A potent estrogenic metabolite. In livestock known to cause infertility, abortion, breeding problems through the alteration of the hormone balance. Exposure of humans through the diet poses health concern due to the onset of several sexual disorders and alterations in the development of sexual apparatus.

Hybrid seeds are created using traditional breeding methods where two different but compatible plants are crossbred to create a new plant — also known as a hybrid. 

(Maximum Residue Level) The potential residues on a harvested crop are regulated by a maximum level. From the respective residue study data a proposal for a maximum residue limit (MRL) can be calculated using official calculation tools. If the use is deemed to be safe, the calculated MRL is taken up into an official register and is then a legal limit. When a product is used as recommended (according to the Good Agricultural Practice GAP) the resulting residues will then be below the MRL.

Impacts on animal wildlife, like pollinators, including endangered species.

The activity or process of determining, analyzing, or predicting all or part of an organism's observable characteristics or traits

A planned sequence of planting crops over time on the same field. Rotating crops provides productivity benefits by improving soil nutrient levels and breaking crop pest cycles.

Pesticides applied directly to a seed before planting, for the purpose of protecting seeds, seedlings, and plants from pests.

A carbon sink is anything that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases – for example, plants, the ocean and soil. 

The practice of planting a single crop type in a particular region or field often for an extended period, one planting cycle after another.

The process of managing the amount, source, timing, and method of nutrient (fertilizer) application, with the goal of optimizing farm productivity while minimizing nutrient losses that could create environmental problems.

Any fuel derived from living plant matter.

Conservation tillage includes all forms of reduced tillage. Tillage is the practice of plowing soil to prepare it for planting or after harvest to remove crop debris from the field. For example, ”no-till” involves no disturbance of the soil; and “reduced-till” or “strip-till” involves minimal disturbance. The benefits of this practice include improved moisture retention and reduced soil erosion.

Fungi of the genus Claviceps. It grows in rye and related plants and produces alkaloids that can cause severe health issues like hallucinations, nausea, seizures, high fever, loss of muscle strength, and even death, in humans and other mammals.

Living genetic resources such as seeds or plant tissues that are maintained for the purpose of plant breeding, preservation, and other research uses.

Temporary approvals which are only permitted in exceptional situations and according to specific conditions. They allow an otherwise unapproved use of a product to be used on a specific crop, in a limited and controlled way, for a maximum period of 120 days in one year. 

Cover crops are planted between growing seasons of a farmer’s primary cash crop, for the purpose of improving soil health, reducing erosion, improving soil fertility, and/or reducing soil compaction. There are three primary types of cover crops: tubers like the Tillage Radish; grasses like cereal rye, oats or annual rye grass; and legumes like clover. These cover crops are at times grazed or harvested, but most commonly are terminated through winter freeze or prior to the next crop planting season. Please see the U.S. Carbon Program FAQ for additional details on cover crop requirements.

The process of determining the DNA sequence—the genotype—at specific positions within a gene of an organism

“No-till” means the agronomic practice of not performing any tillage from the time of harvest or termination of one cash crop to the time of harvest or termination of the next cash crop in the rotation, as more particularly described at the following website or other source identified by Bayer: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/null/?cid=nrcseprd415270.

Pollution arising from an identifiable and localized area, farm or facility, such as discharge pipe or foil from a pesticide container.

"Any substance or mixture of substances used to alter the life cycle of any pest. They can be naturally derived or synthetically produced. Herbicide: pesticide for weeds Insecticide: pesticide for insects Fungicide: pesticide for fungus Miticide: pesticide for mites Nematicide: pesticide for nematodes"

A safety margin is the factor that is added to account for uncertainties. For example, if a chronic test in fish showed no effects at 10μg/L, an assessment factor of 10 is still added, meaning that the acceptable concentration in water would be only 1μg/L. Safety factors in environmental risk assessments vary depending on area and test system, and are typically higher for the assessment of acute effects than for chronic effects.