Organic Farming
Glossary
N
NATIONAL LIST - A list of allowed and prohibited substances as provided for in the Act.
NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM (NOP) - The program authorized by the Act for the purpose of implementing its provisions.
NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD (NOSB) - A board established by the Secretary under 7 U.S.C. 6518 to assist in the development of standards for substances to be used in organic production and to advise the Secretary on any other aspects of the implementation of the National Organic Program.
NITRIFICATION - The oxidation of ammonium to nitrate in soils or other media. Process is microbiologically mediated.
NITROGEN OMMOBILIZATION - The transformation of available forms of nitrogen, such as nitrate and ammonium, into organic forms that are not readily available to plants.
NITROUS OXIDE (N2O )- Nitrous oxide is generated as an intermediate product in the nitrification and denitrification processes in soils and manures. It has approximately 310 times more global warming potential than carbon dioxide (on a 100-year time frame).
NO TILL (zero tillage, direct drilling, or transplanting) - Tillage system that maintains residues (even in row) and plants through these residues using specially designed equipment.
NONSYNTHETIC (natural) - A substance that is derived from mineral, plant, or animal matter and does not undergo a synthetic process as defined in section 6502(21) of the Act (7 U.S.C. 6502(21)). For the purposes of this part, nonsynthetic is used as a synonym for natural as the term is used in the Act.
