Department of Agronomy

College of Agriculture and Food Science

Visayas State University
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte

Name: Edward Romeo Ragonot Course Number: CpSc 21

James Harold Blorecia Offering Number: C292
Marco Salvador Kirong
Bernadeth Varron
Jicelle Venturado
Neri Cole Balolong
Laboratory Instructor: Joannah O. Quilario

Exercise No. 1
Classification and Identification of Different Agronomic and Horticultural Crops

Introduction:
The classification and identification of agronomic and horticultural crops are
fundamental aspects of agricultural science. This involves categorizing and distinguishing
different crops based on their family, scientific name, utilization or use, season of growth,
growth habit, life span, and light intensity requirement. Knowing the plants morphological
characteristics and growth habits allows the farmers on employing proper management
practices for higher crop productivity. Moreover, this classification and identification process
not only aids in efficient farming practices but also supports breeding programs,
conservation efforts, and the overall advancement of agricultural and horticultural sciences.
Thus, this laboratory activity will aid us in understanding and determining the classification
and identification of different agronomic and horticultural crops as well as to know and
familiarize the scientific name of common crops in the Philippines.
Objectives:
1. Classify crops according to use, special purpose, growth habit, life span, and light
intensity requirements.
2. Identify and differentiate some agronomic and horticultural crops grown in the
campus.
3. Identify the scientific name of the common crops grown in the Philippines.
 Methodology:
First, our instructor discussed the classification and identification of different
agronomic and horticultural crops. Second, we conducted a survey of the different field
crops cultivated in VSU. Next, with a pen and paper, we identified and listed 20 different
crops. After that, we classified the identified crops by tabulating them under the following
heading: category, family name, scientific name, primary use, growth habit, life span, and
light intensity requirement. Lastly, we made our scientific report and familiarized the
scientific name of the crops listed.
Results:
Table 1. Classification of Agronomic Crops

Common Category Family name Scientific Primary Grow Life span Light
name name use habit Intensity
Requireme
nt
Gabi/Taro Root crop Araceae Colocasia Food Herb Perennial Sciophyte
esculenta
Rice Cereal Poaceae Oryza Food Herb Annual Heliophyte
sativa
Cassava Root crop Euphorbiacea Manihot Food Shrub Perennial/ Heliophyte
e esculenta Harvested
Annually
Mungbean Legume or Fabaceae Vigna Food Herb Annual Heliophyte
s Pulse crop radiata
Sweet Root crop Convolvulace Ipomoea Food Vine Perennial Heliophyte
potato ae batatas
Corn Cereal Poaceae Zea mays Food Herb Annual Heliophyte

Table 2. Classification of Horticultural Crops

Common Category Family name Scientific Primary use Grow Life span Light
name name habit Intensity
Requireme
nt
Calamansi Fruit crop Rutaceae Citrus Culinary/ Tree Perennial Heliophyte
microcarpa Beverages
Papaya Fruit crop Caricaceae Carica Food Tree Perennial Heliophyte
papaya
Banana Fruit crop Musaceae Musa spp. Food Herb Perennial Heliophyte
Jackfruit Fruit crop Moraceae Artocarpus Food Tree Perennial Heliophyte
heterophyll
us
Okra Vegetable Malvaceae Abelmosch Food Herb Annual Heliophyte
us
 esculentus
Jackfruit Fruit crop Moraceae Artocarpus Food Tree Perennial Heliophyte
heterophyll
us
Okra Vegetable Malvaceae Abelmosch Food Herb Annual Heliophyte
us
esculentus
Eggplant Vegetable Solanaceae Solanum Food Herb Annual Heliophyte
melongena
Jasmine Ornamental Oleaceae Jasminum Perfumery/ Shrub Perennial Heliophyte
crop Ornamental
Yellowbell Ornamental Bignonias Tecoma Decoration/ Shrub Perennial Heliophyte
crop stans Ornamental
Marigold Ornamental Asteraceae Tagetes Decoration/ Herb Annual Heliophyte
crop Ornamental
Squash Vegetable Cucurbitacea Cucurbita Food Vine Annual Heliophyte
e
Alugbati Vegetable Basellaceae Basella Food Vine Annual Heliophyte
alba
Lemon Fruit crop Rutaceae Citrus Culinary/ Tree Perennial Heliophyte
limon Beverages
Kangkong Vegetable Convolvulace Ipomoea Food Herb Perennial Heliophyte
a aquatica
String Vegetable Fabaceae Phaseolus Food Vine Annual Heliophyte
beans vulgaris

Discussion:
Table 1 above shows the different agronomic crops cultivated in VSU. We identified 6
agronomic crops in VSU. Some common agronomic crops are rice and corn which belong to
the same category which is cereal. There are also gabi/taro, cassava, and sweet potato which
belong to root crop category. There is also the mungbean which is a legume or pulse crop.
The agronomic crops also differ in the family name except for rice and corn which belongs to
Poaceae family. All the agronomic crops we identified has the same primary use which is for
food. Herb, shrub, and vine are the 3 distinct growth habit of the agronomic crops we
identified. The agronomic crops we identified have the annual or perennial life span. The life
span of cassava is perennial, but it is harvested annually. Most of the agronomic crops above
are heliophyte meaning they thrive in full sunlight or require it for optimal growth except for
gabi/taro which is a sciophyte which means it prefer or require shade or low-light conditions
for optimal growth.
Table 2 above shows the different horticultural crops in VSU. We identified 14
horticultural crops in VSU. There are 6 vegetables, 5 fruit crops, and 3 ornamental crops. The
calamansi and lemon belong to the same family which is Rutaceae. Most primary use of the
horticultural crops is for food while some is for culinary/beverages like the calamansi and
lemon and also there are ornamental crops which is used for decorations/ornamental or
perfumery like the Jasmine, Yellowbell, and Marigold. Herb, tree, vine, and shrub are the 4
distinct growth habit of the ornamental crops we identified. The horticultural crops we
identified have the annual or perennial life span, that means some horticultural crops
complete their life cycle in a single growing season or live more than 2 years. Lastly, all
horticultural crops we identified are heliophytes which means thrive in full sunlight or
require it for optimal growth.
Conclusion:
In conclusion to this activity, we are able to classify crops according to use, special
purpose, growth habit, life span, and light intensity requirements. Agronomic and
horticultural crops are mostly used for food while some of them, especially in horticultural
crops, they are used for other purposes like for culinary, ornamental, perfumery, or
beverages. There are 4 growth habits of agronomic and horticultural crops, it may be a
shrub, herb, vine, or tree. For the light intensity requirement, agronomic and horticultural
crops can be heliophyte which means sun loving or sciophyte which is shade loving.
Moreover, we are also able to identify and differentiate some agronomic and horticultural
crops grown in the campus. Agronomic crops are plants that are grown primarily for their
economic value and are typically used in agriculture on a large scale. It can be classified into
cereal crops, legume or pulse crops, root crops, tuber crops, fiber crops, sugar crops, forage
crops, stimulant or drug crops, and miscellaneous crops. Horticultural crops are plants that
are primarily grown for their aesthetic, ornamental, or culinary value. It can be vegetables,
fruit crops, industrial and plantation crops, ornamental crops, and specialty crops. Finally, we
are also able to identify and familiarize the scientific name of the common crops grown in
the Philippines.
Answers to Questions:
1. Differentiate agronomic crops from horticultural crops.
- Agronomic crops are plants that are grown primarily for their economic value
and are typically used in agriculture on a large scale. The majority of
agronomic crops are staple food, and they are high in carbohydrates. On the
other hand, Horticultural crops are plants that are primarily grown for their
aesthetic, ornamental, or culinary value. Majority of horticultural crops are
perishable and their income per unit is higher.

2. Explain why some crops are categorized both agronomic and horticultural (Example:
coconut)
- Some crops like coconut can be categorized as both agronomic and
horticultural because they serve multiple purposes and have diverse uses in
different contexts. The dual classification of crops (let’s take the coconut as an
example) reflects its ability to do something like the wide range of products
and uses it offers. It showcases how a single crop can have economic
significance in large-scale agriculture while also contributing to aesthetic and
culinary aspects in horticulture.
 3. What is the significance of knowing the family name of crops in crop production?
- Knowing the family name of crops is significant in crop production because it
facilitates effective crop management, pest and disease control, breeding
programs, and sustainable agricultural practices. It helps farmers make proper
decisions and ensures the successful cultivation of crops.

4. What is the importance of knowing the scientific name of crops?

- Knowing the scientific name of crops is important for accurate identification
because scientific names provide a universally accepted and precise way to
identify plants. Common names for crops can vary by region and language,
leading to confusion. It is also important for research, communication, and
effective agricultural practices. It plays an important role in various aspects of
agriculture, from plant breeding to pest management and conservation
efforts.
References: