CROP

CLASSIFICATIO
N
 CROPS
Crops are plants that are
domesticated by man for their
economic value and other purposes.
They have similarities and
differences which are used as bases
for classifications.
 BRANCHES OF HORTICULTURE
• OLERICULTURE – THE SCIENCE AND ARTS OF
GROWING VEGETABLES
• POMOLOGY – THE SCIENCE AND ARTS OF
GROWING FRUITS
• FLORICULTURE – THE SCIENCE AND ARTS OF
GROWING FLOWERS AND ORNAMENTALS
 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
 Within the plant kingdom, no two species
are exactly alike. Some are very similar
while others are very different to one
another. Their differences and similarities
are the basis for the classification of
plants.
CROPS CAN BE CLASSIFIED ACCORDING
TO THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

1. BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION
2. DESCRIPTIVE CLASSIFICATION
3. AGRICULTURAL CLASSIFICATION
 • Botanical Classification
- Based on the morphological characteristics of plants as well
as on their anatomy, physiology and DNA sequences.
•
Agricultural Classification
- Based on the use of plants and plant products to
man.
• Descriptive Classification
- based on the environmental adaptation, growth
habit and other observable features.
BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION
OF CROPS
The botanical classification of plants is based on the International
Code of Botanical Nomenclature and the International Code of
Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants.

TAXONOMY – the science that includes classification,

nomenclature and identification of plant

Naming plants is important because it is the basis for discussion

and identification. Crop scientists identify, name and establish
relationship between and among plants through the use of
taxonomy.
 Naming plants CAROLUS LINNAEUS
“Father of Classification’
- found the binomial system of
Three (3) ways: nomenclature using Latin words.
1. Common name - Banana - Latin was used because it was the
2. Local Name - Saging common language used by the scientific
3. Scientific name - Musa sapientum community during his time.
- Follows the binomial system of nomenclature
Common Name Local Name Scientific Name

Corn Mais Zea mays

Rice Humay Oryza sativa
Peanut Mani Arachis hypogea
Coconut Lubi Cocos nucifera
Sweet potato Camote Ipomoea batatas
Eggplant Talong Solanum melongena

Note: There is only one scientific name for a given

Binomial System of Nomenclature
Generic name (Genus) - Oryza
Specific name (species) - sativa

Note:
The scientific name must be underlined (Oryza sativa) or italicized
(Oryza sativa)
and the name of the person who gave the accepted name is affixed by
a letter or abbreviation, Oryza sativa L. means that Linnaeus named it.
• Botanical classification is based upon similarity of plant parts and
flower structure. This is the most important way of classification
because it determines to what extent the plants are relatives. Plants
are group from largest to the smallest.
Hierarchical Ranking
Plant Kingdom Plant Kingdom
Division Spermatophyte Division Spermatophyte
Subdivision Angiosperms Subdivision Angiosperms
Class monocotyledon Class dicotyledons
Order Herbaceous Order Herbaceous
Family Gramineae Family Leguminoseae
Genus Zea Genus Arachis
Species mays Species hypogaea
Variety S.C. 10 Variety PSB Pn 1
Crop Plant Families:
According to the botanical classification we can summarize the
families of the most important field crops under the class as
follows:

• MONOCOTYLEDONS

• DICOTYLEDONS
 MONOCOT VS DICOT
• 2-COTYLEDONS
• 1-COTYLEDON
• BROAD LEAVES
• NARROW LEAVES
• BRANCHING BUSHY
• SINGLE STEM WITH TILLER
• WOODY STEM
• HOLLOW STEM
• CONTINUOUS VASCULAR BUNDLE
• DISCONTINUOUS VASCULAR BUNDLE
• NETTED VENATION OF LEAF
• PARALLEL VENATIONS OF LEAF
• NO LEAF SHEATH
• WITH LEAF SHEATH
• FLOWER CLUSTER, FRUIT POD
• FLOWER CLUSTER, PANICLE HEAD
Monocotyledons
Crop Families
GRAMINEAE: includes the following crops: rice, maize,
oat, sugar cane, sorghum, rye grass, wheat, barley and sudan
grass. – “GRASS FAMILY”

LILIACEAE: includes onion and garlic.

- “LILY FAMILY”
Dicotyledons
Crop Families

LEGUMINOSAE OR FABACEAE: includes: alfalfa,

soybean, peanut, cowpea, stringbean, mungbean, and white clover.
– “PEA FAMILY”

MALVACEAE: includes: cotton, Cacao, Okra , Durian

- “MALLOW FAMILY”
 Dicotyledons
Crop Families
SOLANACEAE: includes: peppers, potato, tomato,
eggplants and tobacco.
- “NIGHTSHADE FAMILY”

- PEDALIACEAE: includes: sesame

 Dicotyledons
Crop Families
THE BRASSICACEAE FAMILY
“CRUCIFERS” whose
- flowers have petals arranged in the shape of a cross.
: cabbages, pechays, and radishes.
 Dicotyledons
Crop Families
THE CUCURBITACEAE FAMILY

The Cucurbitaceae family includes herbaceous plants (and a few very

rare shrubs), usually rampant or else climbing, using spiral tendrils.
They live in temperate, hot, and tropical regions. A few
examples: pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, ampalaya and melons.
“GOURD FAMILY”
 Dicotyledons
Crop Families
THE ROSACEAE FAMILY

The Rosaceae family includes herbaceous and woody plants with alternate leaves
and either simple or composite flowers, usually pinkish in color. A few examples:
strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, pears, apples, and plums.
GRAMINEAE (Grass Family)
This family includes about three fourths of the cultivated forage
crops and all the cereals.
They have the following characters: -
Stems are usually hollow, cylindrical and made up of nodes and
internodes.

- Leaves are alternative with parallel veins.

The basal portions of the leaf sheath, encloses the stem, the
sheath being open on the side opposite the blade. Where the
blade of the leaf joins the sheath, there is usually found a
peculiar appendage known as the “ligule”.
It is well known that the most important field crop
families belong to two botanical families, the grass
family (gramineae) and the legume family
(Leguminoseae). Therefore, we have to get an idea about
the characteristics of both families.
 LEGUMINOSEAE (Pea Family)
The leaves are alternate compound, stipulate, with netted
veins. - The flowers are buttery- like.

- The fruit in a pod contains one to several seeds. The seeds

are usually without an endosperm, the two cotyledons being
thick and full of stored food.

- Legumes have relatively large taproot. The roots bear

enlargements called “nodules” caused by the activities of a
bacterium Rhizobium, which has the ability to fix atmospheric
nitrogen in their bodies and eventually in the plant residues.
DESCRIPTIVE CLASSIFICATION
OF CROPS
 Descriptive Classification according to
Mode of Reproduction
1. SEXUAL – plants that developed from seed or spore after
undergoing union of sexual gametes
2. ASEXUAL – plants which they reproduce by any vegetative means
without the union of the sexual gametes or by
apomixis
Ex. Magosteen, sineguelas
 Descriptive Classification according to Growth Habits
All field crops can be divided into three categories
according to the length of their life cycle as follows:
ANNUAL CROPS: - single growing season, perpetuated by seed.
Include major crops of the world, all grains and many legumes.
BIENNIAL CROPS: - two growing seasons (2 years), 1st year accumulate food,
2nd year produce reproductive flowers and seed. Examples are beets, carrots,
onions, cabbage
PERENNIAL CROPS: these crops are grown in the soil for more than two
years. In other words, they have and indefinite life period. They do not die after
reproduction but continue to grow indefinitely from year to year. Some are
perennials in one climate and annuals in another (cotton, tomato etc.)
 Descriptive Classification according to Structure and Form

• HERBS – succulent plants with self-supporting stems

- Edible plant and plant parts
Ex. Banana, tomato, sugarcane
• VINES – herbaceous climbing or twining plants without self-suppoting
stems
ex. Ampalaya, cucumber, patola, pole sitao.
• WOODY –develop secondary tissues and use as building
materials.
 Descriptive Classification according to Growth Habit
• SHRUBS – small trees or tree-like plants generally les than 5 meters in
height and restricted to small, erect , woody plants which produce
several trunks from the base.
Ex. Santan, Lantana

• TREES – plants having erect and continuous growth with a

large development of woody tissue, with a singe stem or
trunk, reaching a height of 5 meters or more.
• Ex. Durian, mango, narra
 Descriptive Classification according to Leaf Retention
• EVERGREEN – plants maintain leaves throughout the year.
Abscised leaves are continually replaced by new
flushes
Ex. Pines, banana, papaya, palms
• DECIDUOUS – plants which naturally shed off or lose
leaves annually for extended periods.
EX. Dap-dap, Fire tree
Descriptive Classification according to Climatic Adaptatio
• Tropical – tolerant in warm climate, practically evergreen
Examples are banana, pineapple, coconut

• Temperate – tolerant in winter season (freezing), like in Artic to

Northern Florida Examples are aloe vera, apple

• Sub-tropical – regions bordering on the tropical zone

Examples are mangosteen, durian and rambutan
 Descriptive Classification according to Usefulness

• Root crop • Beverage crop

• Medicinal Crop • Other special uses
• Forage Crop • Cover crops
• Fruits and vegetables • Catch crop
• grains and cereals • Companion crop
• Ornamental
• Fiber crop
• Sugar crop
• Oil crop
 Descriptive Classification according to
Ecological adaptation or Habitat
1. Aquatic, hydrophyte or hydrophytic plant
- A plant adapted to growing in water or waterlogged soil.
- Ex. Kangkong, waterlily, mangrove

2. Epiphyte or epiphytic plant

- A plant that grows aboveground on another plant but not parasitic, usually
only physical support and obtaining nourishment from the air. Some have
roots that can take moisture and mineral leached from the canopy of the
trees.
- Ex. Orchids, bird’s nest
 Descriptive Classification according to
Ecological adaptation or Habitat
3. Halophyte or halophytic plant
- A plant that is able to grow in habitats excessively rich in salts or under
saline conditions.
Ex. Nipa, coconuts, tamarind and cashew

4. Mesophyte or mesophytic plant

- A terrestrial plant which is adapted to moderate conditions for growth i.e
not too dry and not too wet
- Ex. Corn and most-commercially grown crops
 Descriptive Classification according to
Ecological adaptation or Habitat

5. Parasite o parasitic plant

- A plant which grows on another plant from which it takes part of all
nourishment
- Ex. Rafflesia

6. Sciophyte or sciophytic plant

- A plant adapted to low light intensity or shade
- Ex. Black pepper, gingers, coffee, lanzones, cacao and many orchids
AGRICULTURAL CLASSIFICATION
OF CROPS
 The agricultural classification of crops is based mainly on the uses of the crops.
It is grouped into three classes:

• AGRONOMIC CROPS - include the cereals which are mainly consumed as staple food, legume
seed crops or pulses, oil seed crops, fiber crops, etc. Also called “FIELD CROPS”

• HORTICULTURAL CROPS - include the vegetables, the fruits, and the flowering and other
ornamental crops. Also called “GARDEN CROPS”

• WEEDS, However, are not useful to him and may just become nuisance. These plants may
compete with that crop for soil nutrients and water, or prevent sunlight exposure, or worst, climb
and suffocate the later.
 Agronomic Classification according to
their economic importance/ primary uses:
1. CEREALS – are grasses grown for their edible seeds such as corn, rice,
wheat , sorghum
- grains are harvested mature and utilized as STAPLE or feed
or processed carbohydrate-rich products.

TRIVIA:
The word “CEREAL” is derived
from CERES , the ancient
Roman goddess of harvest.
 Agronomic Classification according to
their economic importance/ primary uses:
2. LEGUMES – plants which produce edible, protein-rich seeds
- being leguminous, they are capable of fixing nitrogen from the air through
symbiotic relation with Rhizobium bacteria.
- cowpea, beans, soybean, peanut, mungbean, peas
 Agronomic Classification according to
their economic importance/ primary uses:

3. ROOT AND TUBER CROPS – irish potato, camote, sincamas

- plants with swollen root or underground stem. These crops are
rich source of carbohydrate and are commonly used as staple,
livestock feed or as raw materials for industrial purposes.
 Agronomic Classification according to
their economic importance/ primary uses:
4. Sugar and Sweetener crop – grown primarily for the production of
sugar or other sweet-tasting products
- sugarcane and sweet potato
 Agronomic Classification according to
their economic importance/ primary uses:

5. Oil crops: they include: soybean, peanut, sunflower, sesame

- plants grown for their seeds which of source of edible
and industrial oil
 Agronomic Classification according to
their economic importance/ primary uses:

6. FIBER CROPS: they include cotton. Abaca , jute, sisal, and ramie.
- plants gown as sources of fiber, a strong, thread-like materials used in
making textiles, rope, twine and similar materials.
Agronomic Classification according to their economic importance:

7. Fodder crops (pasture and forage): vegetable feeds for grazing

animal. they include alfalfa, Egyptian clover, sorghum, grass pea, lablab,
Napier grass, millet, white clover, and red clover.

8. Rubber crops: plants grown for the production of latex. Example

rubber,

9. Medicinal Plants – examples are ginger and peppermint

 Agronomic Classification : Special-purpose classification
These classifications are used to refer to plants having special
advantages to the farmer himself in relation to his farming practices,
and include:

- CATCH OR EMERGENCY CROPS: These crops are used to

substitute crops that have failed on account of unfavourable conditions.
They are usually quick-growth crops, such as radish and pechay.

CASH CROP: grown to sell for profit. Ex. Corn, rice, coffee, cacao, and
sugarcane
Agronomic Classification : Special-purpose classification
COVER CROPS: these crops are planted to provide a
cover for the soil and to prevent erosion such as kudzu,
centrosema.

GREEN MANURE CROPS: these crops are

turned under while still green in order to improve
the soil properties and increase organic matter
content such as legumes
 Agronomic Classification : Special-purpose classification

COMPANION CROPS: in this case a crop can be intercropped with

another one and each crop is harvested separately. For example, onion
and garlic can be intercropped with cotton crop, or soybean with
maize.
SILAGE CROPS: these crops are preserved in a
succulent condition by partial fermentation in a
tight receptacle. They include corn, sorghum,
forage grasses and legumes.
 HORTICULTURAL CROPS
Based on primary uses
1.FRUITS (Pomology)
-plants grown for their edible fruits or closely related
structures which as a rule are consumed raw.
Ex. Avocado, Mango, Guava, Pomelo, Jackfruit,
Lanzones, Papaya, Santol and many more.
 HORTICULTURAL CROPS
Based on primary uses
2. VEGETABLES (Olericulture)
- plants grown for their succulent and edible parts such as the roots, stems,
leaves, young tops, fruits or seeds for use in culinary preparations either fresh
or preserved in the fresh state.
Ex. Lettuce, kangkong, cabbage, carrot, eggplant, tomato, broccolli
TOMATO … Is it a fruit or vegetable???
 HORTICULTURAL CROPS

3. FLOWER AND ORNAMENTAL CROPS

- aesthetic, for decoration or landscaping, for eye consumption
Ex. Chrysanthemum, Roses, Anthurium, sunflower,
Millions
 HORTICULTURAL CROPS
4. SPICE CROPS
- plants grown for the production of aromatic material or substances
which are used as food flavoring.
ex. Star Anise, Black pepper, garlic, ginger, hot pepper, onion, turmeric,
 WEEDS
Are classified into :
• GRASSES – have narrow leaves with parallel veins. Stems are
usually round and have visible bulges or joints where leaves attach
(NODES).
examples : Bermuda grass, cogon, and goosegrass
 WEEDS
• SEDGES – it has three-angled or triangular cross-section of
the stem examples: purple nut sedge, small flower umbrella
plant

• BROADLEAF – leaves of broadleaves have one main vein

which smaller veins branch.
examples: common purslane, morning glory, amaranth
 Descriptive Classification according to mode of Pollination
1. SELF-POLLINATED CROPS: - the predominant
mode of pollination in these plants is self-pollination in
which both pollen and embryo sac are produced in the
same floral structure or in different flowers but within
the same plant. Examples: rice, most pulses, okra,
tobacco, and tomato.
Descriptive Classification according to mode of Pollination
2. CROSS-POLLINATED CROPS: pollen transfer in these plants is
from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower in a
separate plant, although self-pollination may reach 5 percent or more.
Examples: corn and many grasses, avocado, grape, mango, many
plants with unisexual or imperfect flowers.

3. BOTH SELF- AND CROSS-POLLINATED CROPS: these

plants are largely
self-pollinated but varying amounts of cross-pollination occur.
Examples: corn, cotton and sorghum.
 Summary: Crop Classification

Three (3) Criteria:

1. Botanical 2. Agricultural 3. Descriptive

Botanical Classification

CROP PLANT FAMILIES:

DICOTYLEDONS
MONOCOTYLEDON
Leguminosae/Fabaceae
Graminae
Malavaceae
Liliceae
Solanaceae
Pedaliaceae
 Agricultural Classification
Agronomic Crops Horticultural Crops
According to uses:
Cereals According to Primary Uses:
Legumes Fruits
Root and tuber crops
Vegetables
sugar and sweetener crops
oil crops Flower And Ornamental
fiber crops Spice Crops
fodder crops
rubber crops
Special purpose Classification:
catch or emergency crops
cash crop
cover crops
green manure crops
companion crops
silage cops
 Descriptive Classification

According to mode of reproduction According to Growth habit

sexual herbs
asexual vines
shrubs
According to Mode of pollination trees
self-pollinated
cross-pollinated According to Leaf Retention
both self-and cross-pollinated evergreen
deciduous
According to Life Span
annual According to Ecological adaptation or habitat
biennial aquatic, hydrophyte
perennial epiphyte
halophyte
mesophyte
parasite
sciophyte
Father of Classification
Thank You and God Bless!!!
Quiz No. 3

1. Pineapple- An Example of small Fruits

a. Mango b. Cashew c. Rambutan d. Pineapple
2. Mungbean- Which of these crops can be classified both as an agronomic and
horticultural crop based on their uses under Philippine condition?
a. Rice b. Okra c. Sorghum d. Mungbean

3. Crops- are plants that are domesticated by man for their economic value and other
purposes
4.

5
.

6
.
7. TAXONOMY – the science that includes classification, nomenclature
and identification of plant

8. CAROLUS LINNAEUS
“Father of Classification’
- found the binomial system of nomenclature using Latin
words.
- Latin was used because it was the common language used by the
scientific community during his time

9-20. enumerate the parts of the flowers.

21. SEXUAL – plants that developed from seed or spore after undergoing
union of sexual gametes

22. ASEXUAL – plants which they reproduce by any vegetative means

without the union of the sexual gametes or by apomixis
Ex. Magosteen, sineguelas
23. BIENNIAL CROPS: - two growing seasons (2 years), 1st year accumulate food, 2nd year produce
reproductive flowers and seed. Examples are beets, carrots, onions, cabbage

24. ANNUAL CROPS: - single growing season, perpetuated by seed. Include major crops of the world, all
grains and many legumes.

25. PERENNIAL CROPS: these crops are grown in the soil for more than two years. In other words, they have
and indefinite life period. They do not die after reproduction but continue to grow indefinitely from year to year.
Some are perennials in one climate and annuals in another (cotton, tomato etc.)
26. Aquatic, hydrophyte or hydrophytic plant
- A plant adapted to growing in water or waterlogged soil.
- Ex. Kangkong, waterlily, mangrove

27. Epiphyte or epiphytic plant

- A plant that grows aboveground on another plant but not parasitic, usually
only physical support and obtaining nourishment from the air. Some have
roots that can take moisture and mineral leached from the canopy of the trees.
- Ex. Orchids, bird’s nest
28. Halophyte or halophytic plant
- A plant that is able to grow in habitats excessively rich in salts or under saline
conditions.
Ex. Nipa, coconuts, tamarind and cashew

29. Mesophyte or mesophytic plant

- A terrestrial plant which is adapted to moderate conditions for growth i.e not too
dry and not too wet
- Ex. Corn and most-commercially grown crops

30. CATCH OR EMERGENCY CROPS: These crops are used to substitute

crops that have failed on account of unfavourable conditions. They are usually
quick-growth crops, such as radish, pechay .
31. CEREALS – are grasses grown for their edible seeds such as corn, rice,
wheat , sorghum
- grains are harvested mature and utilized as STAPLE or feed or
processed carbohydrate-rich products.

32. COVER CROPS: these crops are planted to provide a cover for the soil
and to prevent erosion such as kudzu, centrosema

33.

34.

35.