Module 2

The Biology of Agricultural Crops

Module Overview
Agricultural crop production set
goal to produce the highest yield. To attain
that goal, knowledge and understanding on
the biological nature of agricultural crops is
important. This module explores the
taxonomy and classifications of crops.
Crops are classified based on botanical
systems, utilization, growth habit, habitat,
life span, among others. In addition,
taxonomic classification is essential by
naming plants using their scientific names
for proper identification of plants,
regardless of its location throughout the
world. A plant develop organs that are
distinctly different or similar from other
plants, their nature and composition will
also be explored in this module. All plants
undergo different growth phases and
stages throughout their life cycle, this topic
will enhance your knowledge on crop
growth and development as we discuss
them.

Objectives
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
 Describe the classification and taxonomy of crops.
 Describe the nature and composition of plants.
 Discuss the parts of plant cell and tissue systems and their functions.
 Describe the growth and development of plants.

Lessons in this Module

Lessons in this Module

Lesson 1: Classification and Taxonomy of Crops

Lesson 2: The Nature and Composition of Plants
Lesson 3: Crop Growth and Development

Miguel, R.D. (2020). Principles of Crop Production for Flexible Learning. Module 2. The Biology of Agricultural Crops | 1
 Module 2

The Biology of Agricultural Crops

Lesson 1

Classification and Taxonomy of Agricultural Crops

Introduction Time Frame: 5 Hours

Plant classification allows differentiation of Objectives

species. Plants need to be properly organized and At the end of this lesson, you
logically named. Plants are organized based on their will be able to:
 Describe the classification
structure and size. In modern taxonomy, plants are and taxonomy of
organized based on phylogeny. Phylogeny deals with agricultural crops
the relationships among different groups of
organisms and their evolutionary development. Key Concepts
Plants are classified using botanical systems, it 1. Purpose of
classification
utilizes seven systems (Kingdom, Division, Class,
2. Bases for
Order, Family, Genus and Species). Agricultural crops Classification
are also classified base on agronomic and 3. Botanical Systems
horticultural uses. Several additional methods of 4. Agronomic and
classification will be discussed in this lesson. Horticultural
Classification
5. Other Methods of
Classification

Activity 2. 1.
Botanical Classification of Philippine Crops

Procedure
1. Identify 50 agronomic and 50 horticultural crops grown in the Philippines
2. Make a table on your activity notebook with four (4) columns.
3. List the crops you identified and provide the following:
a. Common name
b. English name
c. Family
d. Genus and Species (Scientific name) and variety (if applicable)
Classification
Analysis and Taxonomy of Crops
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Why is it important to classify plant using botanical system?

Miguel, R.D. (2020). Principles of Crop Production for Flexible Learning. Module 2. The Biology of Agricultural Crops | 2
Purpose of Classification Plant Taxonomy is the
The main purpose of classifying plants is to ensure science of naming, describing
that the right plants are correctly named, grouped and classifying plants.
and identified.
• For order and organization: Nature is
characterized by diverse group of organisms. Binomial Nomenclature is
Proper grouping is essential to easily identify a system of naming plants
and collect information about an organism whereby a plant is given a
based on their similarities and differences. two-part name representing
• For logical naming: to ensure that the right the genus and species.
plants is correctly named or identified
regardless of where one is on earth. Plants are
named differently from region to region or Scientific System of
Classification
country by country. It ensure that a crop have a
 Morphological
neutral name and mean the same to all people.
 Anatomical
Bases for Classification  Ultrastructural
 Aristotle classified plants based on structure  Physiological
and size (e.g. herbs, shrubs and trees); i.e.  Phytochemical
morphology  Cytological
 Evolutionary
 Linnaeus classified plants based on structure Variety(Phylogenetical)
versus Cultivar
only, i.e. different species with similar
structural features were classified together in a
broader group Botanical System of Rice
 Modern classification of plants is based on Kingdom: Plantae
phylogeny (i.e. the evolution of plants) and Division: Magnoliophyta
therefore relies largely on evolutionary Class: Liliopsida
relationships, thus modern genetics has Order: Cyperales
become a very important tool of taxonomy;  Family: Poaceae
plant characters such as size, shape, color Genus: Oryza
flower characteristics and kinds of food Species: Sativa
reserves are likewise used as bases for modern Variety: Dinorado
classification of plants/crops.

Taxonomic Groups
Crops are commonly categorized into seven (7) main
taxa:
 Kingdom. The highest taxonomic category.
Depends on whether the organism is a plant or
animal.
 Division. Based on whether the plant bears seed
or not.
 Class. Whether the seeds are borne in a fruit or
are naked.

Miguel, R.D. (2020). Principles of Crop Production for Flexible Learning. Module 2. The Biology of Agricultural Crops | 3
  Subclass. Assigned based on whether the seed Variety versus Cultivar
contains one seed leaf or cotyledon
(monocotyledon or monocot) or two Variety. Any of various groups
cotyledons (dicotyledon or dicot). of plants or animals ranking
 Order. Based on differences and similarities in below a species.
the vegetative and reproductive structures of
Instead of two names, as
plants.
 Family. Similar to order, family is assigned on expected in the binomial
the basis of differences and similarities of nomenclature, a variety
various vegetative and reproductive structure requires the use of a third
 Genus. Based on whether the species in a genus name after the introduction of
show close genetic affinities. the abbreviation var. (for
 Species. Assigned on the basis of plants being a variety).
population of related interbreeding forms.
Example: broccoli is called
 Variety. Additional category is needed in many
instances Brassica oleraceae var.
 botrytis
Rules in Classification Cultivar. Derived from the
1. The binary name must be underlined or written words cultivated and variety,
in italics to indicate that such names are non- often designating a product of
English names.
plant breeding.
2. The genus name starts with an uppercase letter,
and the species name is written in lowercase Maintained as clones in
throughout. vegetatively propagated
3. The term species is both singular and plural. It species and as lines in species
may be shortened to “spp,” for the plural propagated by seed under
“species.”
specific conditions.
4. In technical writing, an initial L. may follow the
species, indicating that Linnaeus first named Many flowers and vegetables
the plant. Other abbreviations may be have cultivars that are
encountered in the literature. An example of a propagated by seed, whereas
full binary name for corn, for example, is Zea
others are hybrids (F1 seed
mays L., or Zea mays L. The genus may be
from a cross of two different
abbreviated (e.g., Z. mays L.).
5. Some plants may have a subspecies and hence parents).
have a third name added to the binary name. In
such a case, the third name is also underlined or
italicized. Specific epithets
6. Whereas the generic name can be written alone Color
to refer to individuals in the group, the specific alba - white
epithet cannot be used by itself (i.e., Zea but not variegata - variegated
mays). rubrum - red
7. At the bottom of the taxa hierarchy is variety, aureum - golden
which is the naturally occurring and very
closely related variant. As previously indicated, Frequently encountered
the binomial name is followed by the epithets
abbreviation var. and then the variety name. vulgaris - common
Cultivar names are not underlined or italicized esculentus - edible
(e.g., Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cultivar ‘Big sativus - cultivated
Red’ or L. esculentum cv. ‘Big Red,’ or L. tuberosum - bearing tubers
esculentum ‘Big Red’). officinalis - medicinal.

Miguel, R.D. (2020). Principles of Crop Production for Flexible Learning. Module 2. The Biology of Agricultural Crops | 4
Agronomic Classification
 Basis for classification is mainly the use or
purpose for growing the crop regardless of
scale of production
Group of Agronomic Crops
 Cereals (e.g. rice, corn, wheat, barley, foxtail
millet and adlay),
 Legumes or pulses (e.g. mungbean, peanut,
pigeon pea and soybean),
 Root crops (e.g. sweet potato, coco yam, yam
and cassava),
 Annual fiber crops (e.g. ramie, cotton, jute and
kenaf),
 Special-purpose crops (e.g. green manure crops
or cover crops)
Figure 2.1.1. Citrus sp., an example of
 Pasture or forage crops (e.g. Napier grass,
paragrass, and Stylosanthes sp.) an evergreen plant
 Industrial crops (e.g. sugarcane, pineapple).

Horticultural Classification
 Classification is based mainly on cultural
requirement and the ultimate use of the crop.
 Within each group, subgroupings are created
based on nature, culture, use and growth habit
of the plants
Horticultural Classification of Plants:
 Pomological or Fruit Crops
o Fruit crops have subgroups (tree fruits,
nut fruits, small fruits),
 Olericultural or Vegetable Crops
o Vegetables as a group has about 7
subgroups (leafy vegetables, cole or
Figure 2.1.1. Pink trumpet tree
crucifers, root and bulb crops, legumes or
(Tabebuia rosea). A deciduous tree
pulses, solanaceous crops, cucurbits, tree which shed its leaves in the onset of
vegetables) dry season
 Floricultural or Ornamental Crops
 Plantation Crops.
o Plantation crops are sub-grouped as (oil
crops, fiber crops, beverage crops, spices,
condiments and essences, latexes and
resins, medicinal and botanical
pesticides).

Other methods of classification

 Based on growth habit - vine, shrub, tree and
herb
 Bases on Leaf Retention:
o Evergreen. Maintain green leaves year-
round. Some leaves may be lost, but not all at
one time.
o Deciduous. Shed their leaves at the same
time during one of the seasons of the year
(dry, cold). New leaves are developed from
dormant buds upon the return of favorable Figure 2.1.1. Orchid. An epiphyte
growing conditions.

Miguel, R.D. (2020). Principles of Crop Production for Flexible Learning. Module 2. The Biology of Agricultural Crops | 5
 Based on habitat (terrestrial, aquatic, epiphyte –
plants that grow on live trees or dead trunks but
do not depend on them for water and nutrients,
e.g. orchids)
o Terrestrial – ground/land plants
o Mesophyte: adapted to moderate conditions for
growth
o Xerophyte: adapted to little or no water or
moisture
o Aquatic/ hydrophyte: water plants, on or under
water
o Epiphyte: hanging plants but non-parasitic, air
o Halophyte: grows in excessively salt-rich/
saline conditions
o Sciophyte: grows in low light intensity area/
shade-loving plants
o Epiphyte: grows upon or attached to a living
plant usually deriving only physical support
and not nutrition from the host although they
may sometimes damage the host.
o Parasite: attaches to a host for water and/or
nutrients
 Based on seasonal growth cycle
o Annual. A plant that completes its life cycle in
one growing season or one year.
o Biennial. A plant that completes its life cycle in
two cropping seasons, the first involving
vegetative growth and the second flowering
and death.
o Perennial. A plant that grows year after year
without replanting.
o Monocarps. Characterized by repeated, long
vegetative cycles that may go on for many
years without entering the reproductive
phase. Once flowering occurs, the plant dies.

 Based on specific purpose

o Cash crops: crops grown for added income
o Green manure crops: legume crops grown to
provide nitrogen in the soil
o Cover crops: crops grown for soil erosion
control Figure 2.1.1. Classification of
o Dye and tannin-producing crops: special flowering plants according to their
purpose crops for dye and tannins
seasonal growth cycle.
o Hedge crops: crops grown around the main
crop
o Biocidal crops: crops grown intended for
products that can control other organisms
o Trap crops: crops intended to attract pests and
pathogens to avoid infestation or infection of
the main crop
o Repellant crops: crops that repel pests and
pathogens
o Natural enemies attractant

Miguel, R.D. (2020). Principles of Crop Production for Flexible Learning. Module 2. The Biology of Agricultural Crops | 6
 Lessons in this Module
Application 2.1. Comprehension and Synthesis

Comprehension

1. Define plant taxonomy.

2. Discuss the purpose of classification
3. Differentiate the different bases of classification.
4. Describe the rules of classification. Illustrate on how to write the binomial
nomenclature in a correct manner.
5. Give one example each of an agronomic crop and horticultural crop and
illustrate its taxonomic group.
6. Differentiate agronomic crops from horticultural crops.
7. List 5 examples each of tree, vine, shrub and herb. Include common and
scientific names
8. List 5 examples each of evergreen and deciduous plants. Include common
and scientific names
9. List 5 examples each of Annual, perennial, biennial and monocarp plants.
Include common and scientific names.
10. List 5 examples each of the following (Include common and scientific
names):
a. Terretrial plants
b. Mesophytes
c. Hydrophytes
d. Epiphytes
e. Halophytes
f. Sciophytes

Synthesis
Look for agricultural crops around your backyard or farm. Identify at least 5 of
them. Make a label (white bond paper) listing the following parameters:
1. Binomial nomenclature (Scientific name)
2. Family
3. Agronomic or horticultural crop
4. Growth habit
5. Leaf retention
6. Life cycle
7. Habitat
8. Specific purpose
Take a photograph of the crops you identified (with label) as evidence of your
output.

Miguel, R.D. (2020). Principles of Crop Production for Flexible Learning. Module 2. The Biology of Agricultural Crops | 7