Chapter 2
CLASSIFICATION OF FRUIT AND PLANTATION CROPS
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the Chapter, the learners should be able to compare and
contrast fruit crops from plantation crops and classify the major fruit and
plantation crops grown in the Philippines using botanical and horticultural
systems of classification.
Lesson Proper
A. Botanical Classification
B. Horticultural Classification
C. Fruit Crops
D. Plantation Crops
Fruit and plantation crops are among the many varieties of horticulture
crops. For example, there are 318 recognized fruit-bearing species, of which
56 are farmed commercially (Bautista 1994). Similarly, there are over 2,000
plantation crop species, with twenty-one of them being commercially
produced at present. Because of the enormous number, it is required to
classify these crop species using some helpful and convenient method. A
classification system for these species would make it easier to refer to them
without having to list individual crops belonging to each group. Many
classification methods have been devised and are now in use, but only the
two most important are deemed useful. These are the botanical and
horticultural systems of classification.
A. Botanical Classification
Because it is based on as many characteristics as possible and
established genetic links, the botanical system is the most important method
of classifying plants. Plants are categorized into four divisions under this
system: spermatophytes, thallophytes, bryophytes, and pteridophytes. Among
these, the spermatophytes division is the most agriculturally essential
because it includes all crops grown today. This division is further classified
into two subdivisions: Gymnospermae, which includes all plants with bare
seeds, such as pine trees, and Angiospermae, which includes all plants with
seeds that are enclosed by particular structures. All agricultural crops fall
under the latter category. Some plants have only one cotyledon in its seed,
and they belong to Class Monocotyledonae. Other crops have seeds that
contain two cotyledons, and they belong to Class Dicotyledonae. Plants
belonging to these two classes are further grouped into orders and then into
families. Below is an example on how mango would fit into the above-
mentioned units of classifications.
Division: Spermatophytes
Subdivision: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledonae
Order: Sapindales
Family: Anacardiaceae
Genus: Mangifera
Species: indica
Scientific name: Mangifera indica Linn.
Mango is scientifically known as Mangifera indica Linn, a name provided
by Linneaus that is well known throughout the world. The genus Mangifera
has many other species which are closely related to other genera belonging to
the Family Anacardiaceae. For practical significance, it is important to know
the classification or grouping of a crop to at least the family level to
understand how various crops are related to each other and use this
information as a guide in variety improvement, site selection, propagation,
and in many other aspects of crop production.
B. Horticultural Classification
In the other system of classification, crops are grouped into either
agronomic or horticultural based on how intensively they are grown and how
they are used. This system of classification is highly artificial, arbitrary, and
is not mutually exclusive. For example, corn is considered an agronomic crop
if it is grown and harvested at maturity and is to be used for food, feeds, and
other industrial purposes. However, it is considered a horticultural crop if it
is grown, harvested, and used as green corn in the case of glutinous and sweet
corn varieties which are harvested at the tender stage to be cooked or be used
as an ingredient for vegetable soup.
Horticultural crops are classified into four major groups based on their
primary uses and cultural (including postharvest) requirements namely: fruit
crops, plantation crops, vegetable crops, and ornamental crops. Likewise, the
foundation for classifying them is highly arbitrary. Fruit crops include those
that produce edible fruits that are usually consumed fresh, either fully or
partially ripe. Plantation crops on the other hand, require primary processing
to convert the raw produce into saleable and storable form. The primary
products produced are subsequently used as raw materials in industrial
processing; thus, they are known as industrial crops.
C. Fruit Crops
Fruit crops are categorized based on the growth habits of the plants on
which the fruits are borne. Tree fruits are a group of fruit crops where fruits
grow on trees. This category includes most fruit crops such as mango,
lanzones, durian, rambutan, jackfruit, and mangosteen. The fruit of nut trees
are likewise borne on trees, but the fruits are contained in a stony or leathery
structure. Pili, cashew, macadamia, pistachio, and almond belong to this
group. On the other hand, small fruits are either herbaceous such as banana,
papaya, and pineapple or viny like grapes and passion fruit.
D. Plantation Crops
Plantation crops are categorized based on the beneficial components they
contain. Oil plantation crops are crops primarily produced for their oil
content. Coconut, African palm oil, and castor oil are a few examples. Fiber
plantation crops are those planted for their fibers, which are used in textiles,
cordage, pulp, paper, sacks, and bags, among other applications. Abaca, buri,
kapok, and sisal are some examples. Beverage plantation crops are planted
for goods used in the production of alcoholic beverages such as coffee,
chocolate, and tea. Rubber, pili, chico, and papaya are latex and resin crops
that generate latex, elimi, chicle, and papain, respectively. Spice, condiment,
and essence crops contribute taste, aroma, and color to food, soap, and
perfume. Black pepper, vanilla, citronella, laurel, and annatto (also known as
achuete) are other examples. The last group is the medicinal and pesticidal
crops which include plants with curative and pesticidal properties such as
banaba, lagundi, neem, and many more.
References:
Bautista, O.K. ed. 1994. Introduction to tropical horticulture. 2nd edition. Los
Banos, Laguna: SEAMO SEARCA and University of the Philippines Los
Banos.
Brown, W.H. 1954. Useful plants of the Philippines. Republic of the Philippines
Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Technical Bulletin
10.
Coronel, R.C. and J.C. Zuno. 1979. Fruit crops in the Philippines: A
systematic list. Institute of Plant Breeding Bulletin #1. College of
Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Banos, Laguna.
Merril, E.D. 1912. A flora of Manila: Bureau of Printing.
Monsalud, M.R., A.L. Tongacan, E.R. Lopez, and M.Q. Lagrimas. 1966. Edible
wild plants in the Philippine forests. Philippine Journal of Science
95(4):431-561.
Verheij, E.W.M. and R.E. Coronel, eds. 1992. Plant resources of the South-East
Asia. No. 2. Edible Fruits and Nuts. Bogor: Plant resources of South-
East Asia (PROSEA).
Wester, P.J. 1921. The food plants of the Philippines. Philippine Agricultural
Review 14 (3): 211-384.