Phylum

A taxonomic category that is used to group organisms. It is sometimes referred to as a Division. A Phylum is grouped from similar Classes. Similar Phyla are in turn grouped into a Kingdom.
Physical Control

The use of manual and mechanical techniques. Examples of Manual control include: Hand weeding. The hand picking of fungal fruiting bodies. Heat treatment, such as flame guns to burn off weeds. Switching or Drag brushing to remove dew or earthworm casts. Mechanical Control can include: Mowing; Scarification; Verticutting; Chain harrowing; Aeration, and the like.
Physiology

The scientific study of the functions and interactions of a living organism.
Phytochrome

A photoreceptor molecule found within plants which respond to a specific spectrum of light and are involved in the formation of chlorophyll, seed germination, flowering and leaf movement. Phytochromes will absorb either red or far-red light, allowing plants to respond to the changes which occur in the quality of light received.
Phytotoxic

A substance, which is toxic, meaning it is poisonous to plants. Depending upon the concentration and severity of the substance, the result may be an inhibition of plant growth, or death of a plant.
Plant Breeders Rights

The protection over plant varieties for plant breeders which they develop and can evidence that the variety has Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (shortened to DUS).
Plant Breeding

There are different methods of breeding turfgrass plants, however, a general approach is:
1. Decide on the species to improve.
2. Establish the aim, i.e. what do we want to improve for this grass. For example, improved wear tolerance, disease resistance, drought resistance, finer leaf, cutting at lower height, improved sward density, etc.?
3. Is the desired goal a trait which has good variation within the species? If so, this means there is a better chance of improving it.
4. Is it fairly easy to screen (this means to identify the particular trait being looked at for improvement - this i
Continue reading about this
Plant Form

Plants might be grouped according to their form, such as a grass, flower, tree or shrub etc. The Raunkiær system is a common technical way of categorising plant life-forms and is based on the place of the plant's growth-point or bud.
Plant Hormones

These are molecules which have an influence over plant growth and development. Natural plant hormones are called phytohormones, whilst there are also manufactured synthetic hormones, all being typically referred to as plant growth regulators (PGR). Examples of plant hormones are auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins.
Plant Pathogen
