Morphology

The scientific study of the form and structure of a plant. Plant morphology looks at the external form and structure of a plant; whilst anatomy, by contrast, looks at the internal structure of a plant.

  Mulch

A material applied to a surface to help in retaining moisture within a soil profile, to improve soil organic matter and micro-biological content and activity, to suppress weed seed germination, as well as improving soil fertility and also to reduce soil erosion. The return of grass clippings to a sward is an example of a thin mulch: the clippings will only, typically, cover a small amount of the surface as the aim would not be to effectively smother the surface like a traditional mulch, but to recycle and return nutrients to the sward.

  Mycelium

A collective name for many underground threads of growth, which are called hyphae, and which form the body of a fungus. They are often white in colour and permeate through a soil.

  Mycorrhizae

A fungi which has a beneficial (mutualistic) symbiotic association with the roots of a green plant. The plant produces carbohydrates by photosynthesis, and these are utilised for growth by the fungus. The fungus then makes nutrients more readily available from a soil for use by the plant. Also spelt Mycorrhizas.

  Native Species

There are varying interpretations of what is meant by the term ‘native species', however it can be considered as a species that originated or arrived in a geographic area a long time ago (although the length of time is often quite subjective) but without the interactions of humans which is the key feature for categorising if a species is native or not. There are an estimated 113 species of grass which are considered native to the British Isles (Cope, T. & Gray, A. (2009) ‘Grasses of the British Isles', B.S.B.I. Handbook No.13, p.25).

  Necrosis

The death of plant cells, particularly appearing as a spotted pattern, which typically turn black, brown, or grey. Necroses are a cluster of necrotic affected areas. It is typically a symptom of an undesirable condition, such as nutrient deficiency. Fungal diseases can also contribute to necrosis.

  Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate

A compound which is created in the final part of the light dependent (first) stage of photosynthesis. It is then used in the second stage of photosynthesis (the light independent stage) in the conversion of carbon dioxide into carbohydrates. It is also involved in nitrogen cycle with the conversion of nitrate to ammonia.

  Nitrate

This is produced as part of the nitrification process with nitrite (NO2) being converted by oxidation, due to soil bacteria species such as Nitrobacter, to nitrates (NO3).

  Nitrification

The biological transformation, under aerobic conditions, of different nitrogen compounds as part of the Nitrogen Cycle. Two main processes occur depending upon the original nitrogen compound. Firstly, either Ammonia is transformed to Nitrite and then this is converted to Nitrate, which can be readily taken up by plants. Or, secondly, Ammonium is transformed to Nitrite and then this is converted to Nitrate.

  Nitrification Inhibitor

A substance that inhibits soil microbial activity in breaking down ammoniacal-Nitrogen (NH3) to nitrate-Nitrogen (NO3).