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Abortion The partial or complete arrest of a developing tissue, as in embryos, buds, and so forth. (Nelson, 2003)For example copper deficiency can cause floral abortion in Nemesia.

Abscission The separation of leaves, flowers, fruits, or other plant parts from the plant, generally following the formation of a separation layer of cells. (Nelson, 2003) View a closeup of a leaf Abscission Layer.

Actinomycetes An order of bacteria that usually grows in filamentous form. (Nelson, 2003)Find out more about Actinomycetes.

Aerated steam pasteurization Using a mixture of air and steam that is adjusted to a temperature below that of steam (212ºF, 100ºC) for pasteurizing rood media. (Nelson, 2003) In some locations instead of sterilizing ground beds with methyl bromide they are using steam such as this greenhouse operation in Florida.

Aeroponics A system for growing plants with their roots suspended in air. Water and nutrients are misted onto the roots. (Nelson, 2003)Here is a picture of ginger being produced in an aeroponic system.

Apical Dominance The suppression of lateral shoot development by the apical bud (shoot tip). (Nelson, 2003)Learn more about Apical Dominance.

Asset Any item of value or resource. Assets of a business include cash, amounts owed to the business by its customers for goods and services sold to them on credit, merchandise held for sale by the business, supplies, equipment, buildings, and land. (Nelson, 2003) Learn more about horticulture business management and  marketing.

Auxin A group of hormones that induces growth through cell elongation. (Nelson, 2003) Review more detailed info on Auxins.

Azalea potA pot with equivalent inside rim diameter of but only three-quarters the depth of a standard pot. (Nelson, 2003) Here is an example of azalea pots being used to produce azaleas (of course) in Florida.