Bayer code
Encyclopedia
Bayer code is a system of identifying crop
plants and their pests (including weed
s and diseases) by a unique code. They are a core component of a database
of names, both scientific and vernacular. Plants are identified by a five letter code, other organism
s by a six letter one. In many cases the codes are mnemonic
abbreviations of the scientific name of the organism derived from the first three letters of the genus
and the first two or three letters of the species
. For example, corn (Zea mays) would be ZEAMA and potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans
) PHYTIN. By providing a unique code
for each organism the system provides a shorthand method of recording species and avoids many of problems caused by revisions to scientific names and taxonomy which often result in different synonyms being in use for the same species.
Although originally started by the Bayer Corporation, the official list of codes is now maintained by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization
(EPPO). They are now therefore more correctly known as EPPO codes.
Crop (agriculture)
A crop is a non-animal species or variety that is grown to be harvested as food, livestock fodder, fuel or for any other economic purpose. Major world crops include maize , wheat, rice, soybeans, hay, potatoes and cotton. While the term "crop" most commonly refers to plants, it can also include...
plants and their pests (including weed
Weed
A weed in a general sense is a plant that is considered by the user of the term to be a nuisance, and normally applied to unwanted plants in human-controlled settings, especially farm fields and gardens, but also lawns, parks, woods, and other areas. More specifically, the term is often used to...
s and diseases) by a unique code. They are a core component of a database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
of names, both scientific and vernacular. Plants are identified by a five letter code, other organism
Organism
In biology, an organism is any contiguous living system . In at least some form, all organisms are capable of response to stimuli, reproduction, growth and development, and maintenance of homoeostasis as a stable whole.An organism may either be unicellular or, as in the case of humans, comprise...
s by a six letter one. In many cases the codes are mnemonic
Mnemonic
A mnemonic , or mnemonic device, is any learning technique that aids memory. To improve long term memory, mnemonic systems are used to make memorization easier. Commonly encountered mnemonics are often verbal, such as a very short poem or a special word used to help a person remember something,...
abbreviations of the scientific name of the organism derived from the first three letters of the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
and the first two or three letters of the species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
. For example, corn (Zea mays) would be ZEAMA and potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans
Phytophthora infestans
Phytophthora infestans is an oomycete that causes the serious potato disease known as late blight or potato blight. . Late blight was a major culprit in the 1840s European, the 1845 Irish and 1846 Highland potato famines...
) PHYTIN. By providing a unique code
Code
A code is a rule for converting a piece of information into another form or representation , not necessarily of the same type....
for each organism the system provides a shorthand method of recording species and avoids many of problems caused by revisions to scientific names and taxonomy which often result in different synonyms being in use for the same species.
Although originally started by the Bayer Corporation, the official list of codes is now maintained by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization
European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization
The European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for European cooperation in plant protection in the European and Mediterranean region...
(EPPO). They are now therefore more correctly known as EPPO codes.