Abiotic factors- any non-biological factors that play a role in an organism's environment; non-living environmental factors

Arabidopsis transgenic lines- A collection of genetic plants from the mustard family

Bioenergy crops- These are crops such as switchgrass(lignocellulosic) and castor(biofuel) used to create an alternative fuel source.

Brix- A unit of mass measurement for sugar content within a plant

Carbon Sequestration- the net removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by plants and microorganisms in the soil. Plants and microorganisms trap the carbon to prevent emissions back into the atmosphere.

Cultivar- a cultivated variety of plant within a species

Densification- the process where additives are incorporated into wood using heat and pressure to achieve greater density and hardness

Drought tolerance- the degree to which a plant is adapted to arid or drought conditions

Genotype- genetic makeup of an organism or plant that can be a combination of one trait or multiple traits

lignocellulosic crops- crops containing large amounts of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose.  Lignocellulosic crops include grasses and trees.  Agricultural residues from other crops like wheat and rice are also rich in lignocellulosic biomass.  Our research focuses on lignocellulosic crops that contain large amounts of cellulose which is used for ethanol production.

N15- an isotopic form of the elemental form of Nitrogen. N15 fertilizer is used in research studies to pinpoint translocation of N troughout the plant to further characterize N utilization within the plant.

Nutrient Management- is a process used by farmers and researchers to manage the amount, form, placement, and timing of an application of nutrients to plants. The purpose is to supply plant nutrients for optimum forage and crop yields, to minimize nonpoint source pollution (runoff of pollutants to surface water) and contamination of groundwater, and to maintain and/or improve the condition of the soil.

oilseed- a seed which contains a significant amount of oil that can be extracted for use in biodiesel production

Oleaginous microbes- organisms in the soil that help break down biomatter to an oil source for a potential biofuel source

Pelletization-the process of taking alternative fuel sources such as switchgrass or lumber mill waste and making pellets to ease in breakdown and transportation costs

Photosynthesis-is a plant process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight.

Physiology-is the study of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of living organisms

provenance/ecotype- a group of plants within a species that has developed unique characteristics within a specific ecosystem

Switchgrass-(Panicum virgatum), is a perennial warm season grass native to North America and is used primarily for soil conservation, forage production, game cover, as an ornamental grass, and more recently as a biomass crop for ethanol, fibre, electricity, and heat production.

Translocation- the process by which a nutrient such as Nitrogen in a plant moves from one part of the plant to another (roots-leaves)

Water stress- occurs when plant demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain period of time

Windrow-a technique used in forage production where the crop is raked into rows for drying purposes

Woody biomass-the amount of biomatter from trees or any other plant containing wood that is used as an alternative bio fuel source

variety- a distinct group of plants within a species that has specific, reproducible characteristics