Learning Resource Materials

Classification of Agricultural Crops

Target Outcomes

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. Identify different crops mostly grown in the country and be able to give the scientific
names and botanical families of them;
2. Classify crops using the botanical classification system;
3. Classify crops based on growth duration, stem type, structure, etc.;
4. Classify crops using the functional classification system.

Abstraction

CLASSIFICATION OF CROP PLANTS

The number and diversity of crop plants is enormous. Because of this, there is a need
to classify them. Classification is putting individuals into groups, the members of a group
having one or more characteristics in common. Classification reduces the big and diverse
group of crop plants to smaller groups and allows convenience in identifying them and
relating them to one another. Classifying crops into groups facilitates their use by researchers,
cropsmen, students, and others.

There are many ways to classify crop plants, and the system to be used depends on the
purpose of the user. However, the two main classification systems, and the most useful in
Crop Science are the botanical system and the functional system.

THE BOTANICAL SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION

Systematics or taxonomy is an organized system for descriptive classification of plants

while nomenclature is a system of assigning names to plants. The science of plant taxonomy is
coordinated by the International Board of Plant Nomenclature. The science of plant taxonomy
is coordinated by the International Board of Plant Nomenclature. They made the rules in
accordance with the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN).

There are seven general taxonomic groups in botanical classification or scientific

classification or scientific classification of plants. (Table 1) but the more important to
cropsmen’s interest starts only in the class category. Kingdom is the most inclusive, species is
the least inclusive. Each group is called a taxon (plural is taxa).
Carolus Linnaeaus (1707-1778), a Swedish physician was credited for his work by
giving two-part scientific names to organisms, which taxonomist still do today. His system of
naming organisms is called the binomial system of nomenclature. It means that each plant has
a two-word name, Genus and Species. The first or genus name is followed by a descriptive or
species name, this combination is known as scientific name, which is used as the universal
name of a given plant. Usually, a third name is placed after the species to give the authority
who named the plant. Modern plant classification is based on this system.

The Latin language is used in naming plants. Sometimes, the names given reflect
specific plant attributes or use of the plant. For example, some specific epithets indicate color
e.g., alba (white), variegate (variegated), rubra (red), others are vulgaris (common), esculentus
(edible), sativus (cultivated).

Linneaus’s method of classification was based on the flowers and/or reproductive parts
of a plant because flowers are the plant parts least influenced by environmental changes. At
present, classification is mainly based on phylogeny or evolutionary relationships.

In the Table 1 below, rice and soybean are botanically classified using, Arthur
Cronquist’s system, which is the most accepted of the more recently developed classification
systems of Angiosperms or seed plants.

Table 1. Example of scientific classification of crop plants (rice and soybean)

Plantae
Kingdom
Plantae
Magnoliophyta*
Division
Magnoliophyta*
Liliopsida (monocots)
Class
Magnoliopsida (dicots)
Commelinidae
Sub-class
Fabales
Cyperales
Order
Rosidae
Poaceae
Family
Fabaceae
Oryza
Genus
Glycine
sativa
Species
max
NSIC Rc222
Variety
CLSoy-1
THE FUNCTIONAL SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION

The functional system of classification is the method of classifying crops most

commonly used in Crop Science. Under this system, crops are classified into agronomic
crops (field crops) and horticultural crops

Agronomic crops are annual herbaceous plants grown in cultivated fields under a more
or less extensive (or large-scale) system of culture (Kipps et. al, 1976).

Horticultural crops are crops that are grown under a system of intensive culture in
relatively small areas (Kipps et. al, 1976). They are plants of high enough value to warrant a
large input of capital, labor and technology per unit area of land. (Janick, 1972).
As shown by the definitions above, the classification of crops into agronomic crops
and horticultural crops was traditionally based on size of area planted to the crops and
intensity of culture or management.

Advances in technology (e.g., mechanization) and the discovery of more uses of crops
have made the above distinction obsolete. At present, the following criteria are used as basis
in determining whether a crop is a field crop or a horticultural crop.

a. purpose for which the crop is grown

b. type of culture
c. general custom of the country (Bautista et. al., 1994)
The “boundary” between agronomic crops and horticultural crops has become less
clear. Thus, a crop plant may be an agronomic crop under one situation, and a horticultural
crop under another situation.

This classification system is the basis for the division of Crop Science into two
branches, namely Agronomy and Horticulture.

A. Classification of Agronomic Crops

1. Agronomic Classification

Agronomic crops are grouped or classified based on the manner by which they
are utilized. As such, as agronomic crop with multiple uses can be a member of several
groups in this classification system. The groups are:

[Link] or Grain crops are grasses (i.e., members of the family Graminae or
Poaceae) that are grown for their mature edible seeds. They are usually used
as stapled. The word “cereal” is derived from the nature of the most important
grain deity, the Roman goddess Ceres.

There are eight cereals in the world: rice, corn, wheat, sorghum, barley, oat,
 rye, and millets. The first four are grown in the country.

[Link] legumes or Pulses are members of the family Leguminosae or fabaceae,

which are consumed int the dry seed form. The legumes are rich sources of
protein. Many of the plants possess the ability to a nitrogen from the air in
symbiotic association with Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium bacteria. The
major legume crops in the Philippines are mungbean, peanut and soybeans.

[Link] crops are annual crop plants from which fiber can be obtained, the
important commercial fiber crops in the Philippines are: cotton, ramie, jute and
kenaf.
[Link] and tuber crops are crops grown for their roots or stems that are modified
for food storage. They are rich sources of carbohydrates. Cassava, sweet
potato and yams (ubi and tugui) are root crops, while potato is a tuber crop.

[Link] crops are crops used as animal feed such as legumes and grasses for
animal fodder. The important grass species are: napier or elephant grass,
Guinea grass, para grass, pangola grass, and Alabang X. Among the important
legume forages are: centro, ipil-ipil, Townsville, stylo, siratro.

[Link] crops are crops grown for the oil that can be extracted from them.
Examples are sunflower, sesame, corn, peanut, and soybean.

[Link] crops are annual crops grown for their sugar content. Examples are:
sugarcane, sugar beet, corn and sweet sorghum.

[Link] crops are crops that are rich in starch or sugar, which can be
fermented to produce alcohol. For example, cassava and sugarcane.

[Link] and drug crops are crops that contain substances that serve as
stimulants or medicine. An example of stimulant crop is tobacco.

Fiber crops, oil crops, sugar crops, alcohol crops and stimulant and drug crops
are sometimes placed in a group called annual industrial crops.

2. Special-purpose Classification

2.1. Green- manure crops are crops grown and then turned under for soil
improvement such as increasing soil fertility and organic matter content. These are
mainly legumes that are fast-growing and produce high biomass.

[Link] crops are crops grown to cover the soil and protect it from erosion.
They can also reduce leaching of certain nutrients such as potassium. When
turned under, they become green-manure crops.

[Link] crops or Emergency crops are substitute crops planted when it is too late
to plant the regular crop or when the regular crop has failed. They are usually
early maturing.
 [Link] crops or Soiling crops are forage crops that cut green and fed green to
animals in the practice called zero grazing.

[Link] crops are forage crops that are cut and preserved in a succulent
condition by partial fermentation.
[Link] crops are crops planted to attract certain insect pests. When okra is
planted between upland cotton, it is preferred by cotton boll weevil, thus
reducing damage to the cotton. Okra in this example is a trap crop.

[Link] crops attract the pest but, unlike trap crops, do not provide food for the
pest. The pest dies due to lack of food.

B. Classification of Horticultural Crops

1. Horticultural Classification

As in the case of agronomic classification, crops are grouped under

horticultural classification based on use. There are four main groups, namely, fruit crops,
vegetable crops, ornamentals, and plantation crops. The four main groups are further
classified into sub-groups.

1.1 Pomological or Fruit Crops. A fruit is a plant from which a more or less succulent
fruit or a closely related structure is obtained and which is eaten as a dessert or snack
(Janick, 1972). It is an edible, more or less fleshy botanical fruit of a perennial plant
usually used in fresh form. (Bautista et. al., 1994). For convenience, fruit crops are
classified into a) tree fruits, b) nut fruits, and c) small fruits, depending mainly on the
habit of the plant on which they are borne.

1.1.1. Tree Fruits. Fruits borne on trees. Majority of the crops belong to this category,
such as mango, lanzones, durian, orangr, etc.

1.1.2. Nut Fruits. Fruits borne on trees but which are enclosed by a stony structure
such as Talisay, cashew, and pili.

1.1.3. Small Fruits. Fruits borne not on trees but on herbaceous plants, such as
pineapple, strawberry, and vine plants such as grapes.

1.2 Vegetable crops. A vegetable is an herbaceous plant of which some portion is eaten,
wither cooked or raw, during the principal meal (Janick, 1972). It is a succulent plant
or plant part usually eaten as a supplementary food in cooked or raw form, and is
neither a sweet fruit nor a mature grain, muskmelon and watermelon are, however,
considered vegetables mainly because the members of the family (Cucurbitaceae) to
which they belong are classified as vegetables, and their methods of culture are
similar (Bautista et al, 1994).
 Vegetable crops are classified based on similarities in the method of culture. In
general, crops belonging to one group have the same cultural requirements and
problems.
1.1.1 Leafy Vegetables. Crops grown mainly for their leaves, such as malungay,
pechay, kangkong, and saluyot.

1.1.2 Cole Crops or Crucifers. Crops that belong to the crucifer family specifically
cabbage, cauliflower and Chinese cabbage.

1.1.3 Root, Tuber, and Bulb Crops. Crops with swollen underground stems or roots,
such as sweet potato, onion, radish and potato.

1.1.4 Legumes. Crops belonging to the legume family, such as sitao, cowpea, lima
bean, pigeon pea, chick pea, and winged bean.

1.1.5 Solanaeceous Crops. Crops belonging to the solanaeceous or nightshade family

(Solanaceae) whose economically useful parts are the fruits, such as tomato,
eggplant, and sweet pepper.

1.1.6 [Link] belonging to the cucurbit family (Cucurbitaceae) such as

cucumber, muskmelon, squash, watermelon, ampalaya, and chayote.

1.1.7 Sweetcorn.

1.1.8 Okra.

1.1.9 Tree Vegetables. Examples are malungay, katuray, himbabao

1.3 Ornamentals. Ornamentals are plants used for their aesthetic or decorative value
(Bautista et al, 1994). Ornamentals can be classified according to their special uses.
This classification is based on the specific plant part aesthetically valued and on form
in which the plants are maintained or marketed.

1.3.1 Cut Flowers or Florists Crops. Plants grown for their flowers, such as daisies,
roses, gladiolus, carnation, chrysanthemum, anthurium, sampaguita, orchids,
birds of paradise.

1.3.2 Cut Foliage or Florist Greens. Plants whose foliage provide background in
floral arrangements. Ferns and asparagus are important in this category. Some
species of asparagus like asparagus fern are sometimes used for corsages,
bouquets, and wreaths.

1.3.3 Flowering Pot Plants. Plants grown in containers for their beautiful flowers,
usually for display purposes (Chrysanthemum, poinsettia, santan,
bougainvillea).
 1.3.4 Landscape Plants. Almost all ornamentals fall under this category. They are
used for landscaping purposes.

1.3.5 Foliage Plants. Plants grown for their attractive foliage. Many of these plants
can tolerate low light intensities since they have no demanding inflorescences
to support. They are used as indoor plants by which they are sometimes
called. Examples: begonia, philodendron.

1.3.6 Turf. Turf grasses are used for lawns or greens (grass for golf courses). They
rightfully fall under landscape plants but have grown in importance to be in a
class by themselves. Example: Manila grass.

1.4 Plantation Crops. Plantation crops is loosely defined as crops, usually perennial in
growth and that requires minor changes in the structure of the product (in primary
processing) before use. They are also classified according to their useful components.
Those in the same group may have different cultural practices but their principal
products can be substituted for one another.

1.4.1 Oil Crops. These are perennial crops grown for their oil content, such as
coconut, African oil palm, lumbang and castor bean.

1.4.2 Fiber Crops. These are perennial crops grown for their fibers, which are used
for textiles, corsage, pulp, paper twines, sacks, bags, mats, etc. For example:
abaca, buri, maguey, kapok, cabonegro.

1.4.3 Beverage Crops. Crops that are used for brewing non-alcoholic drinks, such as
cacao, tea, and coffee.

1.4.4 Spice-producing Crops. Black pepper (Piper nigrum), vanilla (Vanilla

planifolia).

1.4.5 Aromatic or essential-oil-producing Crops: lemon grass or “tanglad”

(Cymbopogon citratus); citronella or “salay” (C. winterianus); patchouli
(Pogostemon cablin); vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanoides); “ilang-ilang”
(Cananga odorata).

1.4.6 Latexes and Resins. These crops when products of the sap (latex) are tapped or
obtained from the bark such as rubber.

1.4.7 Medicinal and Botanical Crops. Sources of pharmaceutical and insecticidal

compunds. Examples of native species which have been clinically tested to
have medicinal properties are lagundi (Vitex negundo), yerba buena (Mentha
cordiflora), sambong (Blumea balsamifera).
OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
A. Based on Growth Duration

1. Annuals. These plants complete their life cycle, usually from seed to seed, in one
growing season and then die. Examples: rice, tomato, squash, corn.

2. Biennials. These plants complete their life cycle in two growing seasons and then die.
The first season is devoted to vegetative growth and food storage. The second is
devoted to reproductive growth, that is, the plant produces flower and seeds. For
example, sugar beet grows vegetatively in the first season. In winter, it becomes
vernalized and starts reproductive growth in spring. Another example is bulb onion.

3. Perennials. Perennials are plants that have the ability to repeat their life cycle
indefinitely by circumventing the death stage. They may be herbaceous, as in species
with underground vegetative structures called rhizomes (e.g., Indian grass), or
aboveground structures called stolons (e.g., buffalo grass). They may also be woody,
as in shrubs, lianas (grape), and trees (orange).

B. Based on Stem Type

1. Herbaceous – crop plants that have soft succulent non-woody stem. They have no
secondary tissue or the secondary tissue is not well developed. Herbaceous plants are
further classified into:

1.1. Herbs are herbaceous plants that can stand upright without support. (Examples:
corn, banana)

1.2. Vines are herbaceous plants that require supports to stand upright. (Examples:
ubi, upo)

2. Woody – crop plants that have hard stems because of their well-developed secondary
tissues. Woody plants are further classified into:

1.1. Trees are woody plants that possess a single central stem and are usually taller
than shrubs at peak height. They can stand upright without any support.
(Examples: santol, ipil-ipil)

1.2. Shrubs are woody plants with several more or less upright stems. Like trees, they
can stand upright without any support. (Examples: santan, cupea)

1.3. Lianas are climbing woody plants. They need support to stand upright. (Example:
grape)
C. Based on Stem Growth Form
 Certain plants can stand upright without artificial support, others cannot. Based on this
characteristics, plants are classified into:

1. Erect. Erect plants can stand upright without physical support, growing at about a 90-
degree angle to the ground. This feature is needed for mechanization of certain crops.
Plant breeders develop erect (bush) forms of non-erect (pole) cultivars for this
purpose. There are both pole and bush cultivars of crops such as bean (Phaseolus
vulgaris L.) in cultivation.

2. Decumbent. Plants with decumbent stem growth form, such as peanuts (Arachis
hyogaea), are extremely inclined with raised tips.

3. Creeping or repent. Plants in this category, such as strawberry (Fragaria virginiana),

have stems that grow horizontally on the ground.

4. Climbing. Climbers are plants with modified vegetative parts (stem or leaves) that
enable them to wrap around a nearby physical support, so they do not have to creep on
the ground, such as yam (Dioscorea spp.)
D. Based on Adaptation

1. Based on Temperature Adaptation

1.1. Cool-season crops or temperate crops. These plants, such as wheat and sugar
beet, prefer a monthly temperature between 15 and 18oC for growth and
development.

1.2. Warm-season crops or tropical plants. These plants, such as corn and rice,
require warm temperatures higher than 18oC during the growing season.

2. Based on Response to Light

2.1. Sciophytes. A plant that prefers shady conditions. Examples: Some orchids.

2.2. Heliophytes. Plants that like sunlight or plants that can survive and grow in direct
sunlight or that grow best in direct sunlight. Examples: Peanut, corn, rice.

E. Based on Habitat

1. Terrestrial. Plants that live or grow on land rather than in water or in the air. Example:
Corn, Mango

2. Aquatic. Plants that live or grow in water. Example: water lilies.

3. Halophytes. Plants capable of growing in salty soils. Example: Mangrove trees.

4. Epiphytes. Plants that grow on live trees or dead trunks but do not depend on them for
water and nutrients. Example: orchids.

References
Acquaah, G. 2002. Principles of Crop Production: Theory, Techniques, and Technology.
Pearson Education Inc., New Jersey, U.S.A.
Bautista, O.K. (ed). 1994. Introduction to Tropical Horticulture. SEAMO-SEARCA and
UPLB, Los Baños, Laguna.
Canare, J. 2010. Principle of Crop Science (Handouts) Department of Crop Science, College
of Agriculture, Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. 1pp
Encarta Dictionary Tools. 2004. Microsoft ® Encarta ® Reference Library. Microsoft
Corporation.
Janick, J. 1972. Horticultural Science. Second Edition. W.F. Freeman and Company San
Francisco. 585pp.