UNIT 2

CLASSIFICATION OF
AGRICULTURAL CROPS
Course Audit 1: Crop Science
FIRST SEM SY 2022-2023
Classification of Plants
Taxonomy
• The branch of biology dealing with the
identification and naming of organisms
Ways to Classify Crops:
Botanical Descriptive Agricultural

• Morphological • Environmental • Classified as

characteristics adaptation useful (crops)
• Anatomy • Growth habit or unuseful
• Physiology • Other (weeds)
• DNA observable
sequences features
Why Classify Crops?
• It simplifies plant collection initiatives, research,
breeding and specialized development efforts.
• It facilitates efficient communication,
dissemination, and retrieval of scientific
information.
• e.g. common names for potato: patata, papa, Irish potatoes,
taters, potaters, tatoes, praties, pomme de terre (earth apple;
French), horsebell yam, foreign taro, earth bean, etc.
• It indicates that crops may have similar uses,
adaptation, growth habits, and methods of
culture
Why Classify Crops?
• Classifying crops by family is important in
intergeneric grafting.
• E.g. eggplant and tomato of Solanaceae, bottlegourd with
water melon, etc.
• It is important in disease control and
prevention due to commonality of some pests.
• E.g. potato and tomato – both affected by late blight
• To students of crop science, it will be a useful
reference in crop names and identification
and as a review guide.
• To the farm manager, it will offer innumerable
benefits in finding alternative crops for specific
uses.
However....
◦ Classification of crops vary from place to place, country to
country due to:
◦ Differences in the primary usage of certain crops
◦ Intensity of care
◦ Extent of cultivation
◦ Other criteria
◦ Crops may have two or more classifications
◦ Peanut may be classified as a legume seed crop, oil
seed crop or industrial crop, plantation crop
◦ Sweet potato and white potato are classified as both
horticultural and agronomic crops
1. The botanical classification of agricultural
crops using scientific names in an accepted
means of plant classification worldwide was
founded by the scientist:

a. Linneus
b. Linnaeus
c. Lennaeus
d. Lineus
2. A group of plants within a species that are
distinguished by the same or similar
characteristics
a. Clone
b. Variety
c. Genus
d. Species
3. Vigna radiata, which is usually grown in the
lowlands, belongs to what family?

a. Leguminosae
b. Fabaceae
c. Papillonaceae
d. All of the above
4. An example of a pulse crop is

a. Cucumis sativus
b. Abelmoschus esculentus
c. Cajanus cajan
d. Lycopersicum esculentum
5. What is not a species?

a. indica
b. vulgaris
c. mangifera
d. carota
Brief History
• Aristotle – classified plants based on
structure and size (e.g. tree, shrub, herb)
• Theophrastus – classified plants according
to uses and methods of cultivation (e.g.
food, fiber)
• Linnaeus – classified plants based on
structure only which led to present system
of nomenclature and gave every species a
two part name
FATHER OF MODERN TAXONOMY
Botanical Classification of Crops
• Rules are laid down under the International
Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN)
and the International Code of
Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants
(ICNCP)
• Facts about ICBN:
• Formulated in 1935
• Carl Linnaeus’ Species Plantarium, published in
1753, served as the starting point for priority of
botanical names
• Revised every 6 years (last revision is Vienna
Code in July 2005)
Botanical Classification of Crops
Principal ranks of taxa
KINGDOM (regnum)

DIVISION or PHYLUM

CLASS (classis)

ORDER (ordo)
FAMILY
(familia)
GENUS

SPECIES
Botanical Classification of Crops
Secondary ranks of taxa

TRIBE
(between family and genus)

SECTION and
SERIES
(between genus
and species)
VARIETY
AND FORM
(below
species)
Botanical Classification of Crops

✓ Kingdom – broadest division of organisms

(e.g. Animalia, Plantae)
✓ Phylum/ Division
✓ Class – Angiospermae (flowering);
Gymnospermae (non-flowering)
✓ Sub-class – Dicotyledonae (2 seed leaf);
Monocotyledonae (1 seed leaf)
Four Divisions of the Plant Kingdom
◦Thallophyta – algae, bacteria, fungi
◦Bryophyta – no true roots, e.g. moss
◦Pteridophyta – no true flower,
produce no seeds, e.g. ferns
◦Spermatophyta – all seed-bearing
plants that bear true flowers,
economically important plants
Botanical Classification of Crops

✓ Order – name end in ales

✓ Family – highest classification commonly
used; ends in aceae
✓ Genus – grouping of closely related
species
✓ Species – population of genetically similar
interbreeding or potentially interbreeding
individuals
Binomial Nomenclature
◦ In Biology, it refers to the formal method of naming
species
◦ Accepted by speakers of all languages than
common names
◦ A combination of two terms: the GENUS and the
SPECIES descriptors expressed in Latin
◦ Genus: or generic name is a noun which usually
names some aspect of a plant (e.g. Coffea the
Latinized form of the Arabic word for beverage,
kahwah)
◦ Species: or specific name is usually an adjective
that describes the genus (e.g. arabica, plant was
thought to originate in Arabia)
◦ Coffea arabica, refers to only one plant and
cannot be confused with any other
Binomial Nomenclature
✓ Species – describes an aspect of the plant (e.g.
color of the flower, shape of leaves, place where it
was found)
- nigrum (black)
esculentum – edible
indica – India
sativa – cultivated
esculenta – edible
vulgaris – common
alba – white
rubra – red
✓ Variety
6. Rice is commonly classified as a

a. Naturally self-pollinated crop

b. Naturally cross-pollinated crop
c. Both self- and cross-pollinated
crop
d. Asexually propagated crop
7. Coconut plants can tolerate saline soils,
which means it can be classified as a
a. Epiphyte
b. Halophyte
c. Mesophyte
d. Saprophyte
8. Gene recombination occurs as a result of

a. Vegetative propagation
b. Clonal propagation
c. Self pollination of a pure
line
d. Sexual reproduction
9. All are annual crops except

a. corn
b. squash
c. potato
d. cabbage
10. The crops in the Ilocos region are rice,
corn, tobacco, monggo, and tomato (for
the commercial manufacturer of tomato
paste). The cash crops are

a. Rice and tobacco

b. Tomato and tobacco
c. Corn and cotton
d. Corn and rice
11. The crops in the Ilocos region are rice,
corn, tobacco, mongo, and tomato (for
the commercial manufacturer of tomato
paste). The catch crop is

a. Rice
b. Tobacco
c. Corn
d. Mongo
12. The fundamental unit of plant
classification

a. Genus
b. Family
c. Species
d. Variety
13. Names of plants accepted globally

a. Local name
b. Common name
c. Scientific name
d. Nomenclature
Descriptive Classification of Crops
1. According to mode of production
• Sexual
• Asexual
2. According to mode of pollination
• Naturally self-pollinated crops (e.g. rice,
okra, tomato)
• Naturally cross-pollinated crops (e.g.
corn, avocado, grape)
• Both self- and cross-pollinated (e.g.
cotton, sorghum)
Descriptive Classification of Crops
3. According to life span
• Annual (e.g. corn, squash)
• Biennial (e.g. bulb onion, cabbage,
carrot)
• Perennial
4. According to leaf retention
• Evergreen – leaves maintained
throughout the year (e.g. banana)
• Decidous – shed leaves annually (e.g.
fire tree, siniguelas)
Descriptive Classification of Crops
5. According to growth habit
• Herbs – succulent and self-supporting
(e.g. sugarcane, tomato)
• Vines – herbaceous climbing (e.g.
cucumber, ampalaya)
• Lianas – woody climbing (e.g. grape,
passion fruit)
• Shrubs – small tree; less than 5m height
(e.g. lantana)
• Trees – single woody trunk (e.g. durian,
mango)
Descriptive Classification of Crops
6. According to ecological adaptation or
habitat
a. Aquatic or hydrophyte (e.g. kangkong)
b. Epiphyte or Air Plant/ Tree Dweller –
obtains nourishment from air and other
sources (e.g. orchid)
c. Halophyte – saline conditions (e.g. nipa,
coconut, cashew)
Descriptive Classification of Crops
6. According to ecological adaptation or
habitat
d. Lithophyte – grow on rocks or rocky
terrain (e.g. some orchids)
e. Mesophyte (e.g. most crops)
f. Parasite – grows on another plant (e.g.
rafflesia)
g. Saprophyte – grows on decaying
matter (e.g. mushroom)
Descriptive Classification of Crops
6. According to ecological adaptation or
habitat
h. Sciophyte – adapted to low light
intensity or shade (e.g. black pepper,
coffee, lanzones, mangosteen)
i. Terrestrial (e.g. most plants)
j. Xerophyte – adapted to little or no
water (e.g. cactus, bromyliads)
14. The scientific name for oats is

a. Zea mays
b. Secale cereale
c. Avena sativa
d. Oryza sativa
15. A nitrogen fixing bacteria commonly
found in Legumes

a. Rhizobium
b. Nitrobacter
c. Bacillus thuringensis
d. Streptococcus
16. A national agency mainly involved in
producing newly bred rice varieties

a. IRRI
b. PhilRice
c. IPB
d. NSIC
17. A cereal crop developed in CYMMYT and
is a hybrid between wheat and rye

a. Barley
b. Rice
c. Triticale
d. Wheat
Agricultural Classification of Plants
1. Crop vs. Weed
• Crop – intentionally grown for various
uses
• Weed – any plant that grows where it is
not wanted
Agricultural Classification of Plants

2. Agronomic vs. Horticultural Crops

• Agronomic crops – “field crops”
✓ Extensive or large scale
✓ High dry matter form
• Horticultural crops – “garden crops”
✓ Grown under olericulture, pomology, or
ornamental
✓ Intensive system of culture
Comparison between agronomic and and horticultural
crops
Criteria Agronomic crops Horticultural crops
Commodities Cereals, grain Vegetables, fruits,
legumes, forages, ornamental plants,
sugarcane,etc. plantation crops,etc.
Diversity/per unit less more
growing area
Management extensive intensive
Adaptation limited wide
Utilization Eaten as staples Consumed with staples
Consumption Usually processed Usually eaten in fresh
and are eaten in formed and can be
the mature stage eaten at any stage
depending on purpose
Aesthetic value lower higher
Comparison between agronomic and and horticultural
crops
Criteria Agronomic crops Horticultural crops

Nutritive value carbohydrates, Provide important

protein and lipids plus vitamin and minerals,
vitamins and minerals some carbohydrates,
proteins and lipids
Life cycle Semi-annual, annual, Semi-annual, annual,
few perennials biennial and
perennial
Compatibility to less Highly compatible
farming system
Moisture content low high
of harvested
product
Note: The difference between horticultural and agronomic crops depends on the
purpose for which the crop is grown, type of culture, traditions and customs of
the country.
Agronomic Crops
1. Cereal or grain crops (Graminae/ Poaceae)
- “cereal” – Roman goddess Ceres
- most common in the Philippines: Rice and
Corn (minor: sorghum & wheat)
a. Oryza sativa
b. Zea mays
c. Sorghum bicolor
d. Triticum sativum
e. Hordeum vulgare
f. Avena sativa
g. Secale cereale
h. Triticale
i. Panicum miliaceum
Agronomic Crops
2. Legume or pulse crops (Leguminosae/
Fabaceae/ Papillonaceae)
- N-fixer through Rhizobium
- major in the Philippines: mungbean,
peanut, soybean
a. Phaseolus vulgaris
b. Phaseolus lunatus
c. Glycine max
d. Pisum sativum
e. Vigna radiata
f. Arachis hypogaea
g. Cajanus cajan
h. Cicer arietinum/arietum
i. Vigna unguiculata
Agronomic Crops
3. Forage crops
➢ The important grass species are: napier or
elephant grass, Guinea grass, para grass,
pangola grass, Alabang X.
➢ The important legume forages are :
centro, ipil-ipil, Townsville stylo.

a. Pasture grass – Johnson grass, Napier

b. Silage – partially fermented
c. Soilage – cut while green and succulent
Agronomic Crops
4. Root crops
- rich sources of carbohydrate
- major species of root crops: cassava, sweet
potato.

a. Dioscorea alata (Dioscoreaceae)

Dioscorea esculenta
b. Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae)
c. Manihot esculenta (Euphorbiaceae)
d. Colocasia esculenta (Araceae)

5. Tuber crop (Solanaceae/ Nightshade)

a. Solunum tuberosum
Agronomic Crops
6. Fiber crops
- commercial fiber in the Philippines are :
kenaf, jute, ramie, cotton

a. Gossypium hirsutum (Malvaceae)

b. Boehmeria nivea (Urticaceae)
c. Hibiscus cannabinus (Malvaceae)
d. Corchorus capsularis (Tiliaceae)
Agronomic Crops
7. Sugar crops
a. Saccharum officinarum (Graminae)
b. Beta vulgaris
c. Stevia

8. Stimulant crops
a. Nicotiana tabacum
18. 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. Mungbean
d. Sorghum
19. An example of small fruit is

a. Mango
b. Cashew
c. Pineapple
d. Rambutan
20. Which is not a cole crop?

a. Brassica oleracea
b. Raphanus sativus
c. Brassica juncea
d. Cucumis sativus
21. Which among the choices is a variety of
pili?

a. Mayon #2
b. Mestizo
c. Amarillo
d. Igorota
22. These are fruits borne on trees but which
are enclosed by a stony structure

a. Tree fruits
b. Nut fruits
c. Small fruits
d. Peanut
Horticultural Crops
Four main groups: fruit crops (pomology),
vegetable crops (olericulture), ornamental
crops, and plantation crops

1. Vegetables
a. Leafy vegetables – mustard, celery,
kangkong
b. Crucifer/ Cole crops – cabbage,
cauliflower
c. Root and bulb crops – onion, garlic,
carrot, radish, sweet potato
d. Legume
Horticultural Crops
e. Solanaceous – tomato, eggplant,
pepper
f. Cucurbits – squash, cucumber,
water melon, bitter gourd, bottle
gourd, chayote, loofah
g. Tree vegetables – drumstick tree,
sesban
h. Other crops – sweet corn, okra,
asparagus
Horticultural Crops
2. Fruit crops
a. Tree fruits – mango, lanzones,
durian, rambutan
b. Nut fruits – cashew, pili
c. Small fruits – pineapple,
passion fruit, grapes, strawberry
Horticultural Crops
3. Ornamentals
a. Cut flowers/ florist crops – grown for their
flowers. Ex: orchids, sampaguita, carnation
b. Cut foliage/ florist greens – provides
background in floral arrangements. Ex: fern,
palm
c. Flowering pot plants – grown in containers
for their flowers. Ex: chrysanthemum,
poinsettia
d. Landscape plants – almost all ornamentals
e. Foliage plants – indoor plants grown for
their attractive foliage. Ex: begonia, prayer
plants
f. Turf – for lawns or greens. Ex. bermuda
Horticultural Crops
4. Plantation crops
a. Oil crops – coconut, castor
b. Fiber crops – abaca, maguey
c. Beverage crops – coffee, tea,
cacao
d. Spice, condiments, essences –
pepper, vanilla, cinnamon
e. Latexes and resins – rubber
f. Medicinal and botanical pesticides –
neem, lagundi
Agricultural Classification of Plants
3. Based on Primary Uses
a. Food crops
b. Non-food crops
c. Staple crops
d. Cereal or grain crops
e. Legume seed crops or pulses – dry grain only
f. Root and tuber crops
g. Oil seed crops
h. Sugar and sweetener crops – mainly for sugar,
secondary for alcohol and ethanol
i. Beverage crops
Agricultural Classification of Plants
3. Based on Primary Uses
j. Rubber crops
k. Latex and gum crops
l. Dye and tannin crops
m. Fiber crops
n. Pasture and forage crops
o. Biofuel crops – main: bioethanol from sugar or
starch and biodiesel from vegetable oils
p. Vegetable, fruit and nuts
q. Spice crops
r. Essential oil crops
Agricultural Classification of Plants

3. Based on Primary Uses

s. Ornamental crops
t. Biocidal crops – pesticidal properties
(chrysanthemum, tobacco, neem)
u. Industrial crops
v. Plantation crops
Agricultural Classification of Plants

4. Based on Special-Purpose Crops

a. Main crop
b. Nursery crop
c. Intercrop
d. Filler crop
e. Relay crop
f. Ratoon crop – regrowth from shoots
g. Cash crop
h. Catch crop
i. Nurse crop
j. Companion crop
Agricultural Classification of Plants

4. Based on Special-Purpose Crops

k. Cover crop
l. Green manure crop
m. Agroforest crop
n. Contour hedgerow crop
o. Trap crop or Decoy crop
p. Insect pest repellant crop
q. Natural enemies attractant crop
Indicative Crop Classification (ICC)

• New crop classification developed for

2010 round of agricultural censuses
• Developed based on the Central Product
Classification (CPC) (UN, 2004a)
• A particular crop is classified only once
regardless of how the crop is used
Indicative Crop Classification (ICC)

• ICC classifies crops based on three

elements:
✓ Product type – e.g. cereal, vegetables, etc.
✓ Crops genus or species – numerical codes are
provided
✓ Whether crop is temporary or permanent
Example of an ICC
Group Class Sub- Order Title Crop
class type1
1 Cereals 1
11 Wheat 1
12 Maize 1
13 Rice 1
19 Other cereals 1
191 Mixed cereals 1
2 Vegetables & melons 1
21 Leafy or stem veg 1
211 Artichokes 1
212 Asparagus 1
Fruit-bearing veg 1
221 Cucumber 1
222 Eggplant 1
8 Sugar Crops 1
81 Sugar beet 1
82 Sugar cane 1
1. 1=temporary; 2=permanent
23. Which of the following is not considered
a berry?

a. Strawberry
b. Tomato
c. Cherry
d. Eggplant
24. The agency involved in approving the
release of recommended varieties in the
Philippines

a. Philippine Seed Board (PSB)

b. National Seed Industry Council (NSIC)
c. Department of Agriculture (DA)
d. International Rice Research Institute
(IRRI)
25. Rice has how many anthers?

a. 5
b. 11
c. 6
d. 15