Classification of Crops Plant Taxonomy is the

Purpose of Classification science of naming, describing

The main purpose of classifying plants is to ensure and classifying plants.
that the right plants are correctly named, grouped
and identified. Binomial Nomenclature is
• For order and organization: Nature is a system of naming plants
characterized by diverse group of organisms. whereby a plant is given a
Proper grouping is essential to easily identify two-part name representing
and collect information about an organism
the genus and species.
based on their similarities and differences.
• For logical naming: to ensure that the right
plants is correctly named or identified Scientific System of
regardless of where one is on earth. Plants are Classification
named differently from region to region or • Morphological
country by country. It ensure that a crop have a • Anatomical
neutral name and mean the same to all people. • Ultrastructural
• Physiological
Bases for Classification
• Phytochemical
• Aristotle classified plants based on structure • Cytological
and size (e.g. herbs, shrubs and trees); i.e. • Evolutionary
morphology Variety(Phylogenetical)
versus Cultivar
• Linnaeus classified plants based on structure
only, i.e. different species with similar
structural features were classified together in a Botanical System of Rice
broader group Kingdom: Plantae
• Modern classification of plants is based on Division: Magnoliophyta
phylogeny (i.e. the evolution of plants) and Class: Liliopsida
therefore relies largely on evolutionary Order: Cyperales
• Family: Poaceae
relationships, thus modern genetics has
become a very important tool of taxonomy; Genus: Oryza
Species: Sativa
plant characters such as size, shape, color
Variety: Dinorado
flower characteristics and kinds of food
reserves are likewise used as bases for modern
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 | 22
 • 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 | 23
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 | 24
• 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 | 25