The major cultivated crops can be classified according to the agronomic purpose. On this basis, the distinguishable groups of crops can be...
I) PULSES (aka Grain Legumes)
The plants belonging to family leguminosae are cultivated for their edible seeds. For example, chickpea,
garden pea, cowpea (lobia), mung bean, mash bean, lentil and pigeon pea.II) CEREALS (aka Grain crops)
Grasses belonging to family Poaceae which are cultivated for their edible grains are called cereals. They are mostly narrow and long leaved plants without main stem. For example, wheat, rice, maize, barley and sorghum.
III) OILSEED CROPS
The crops cultivated for extraction of oil from their seeds are called oilseed crops. For example, cotton, brassica, sunflower, peanut, groundnut, sesame, soybean, linseed, castor bean and flax.
IV) FIBER CROPS
The crops grown for their fiber which is the raw material for textile industry are called fiber crops. They are used for clothing, rope making and rugs. For example, cotton, jute, flax, sunhemp andkenaf.
V) FORAGE CROPS
The crops which are grown for grazing of animals and used for making hay, silage, green chop or green manuring are called forage crops. They may be specifically defined, as the crops with dry matter fiber content of about 25%. The cereal crops when harvested as whole and used for animal feed are called “fodder crops”. For example, barseem, shaftal and clovers. They mostly belong to the family graminae or leguminosae.
VII) SUGAR CROPS
The crops which are cultivated for extracting sugar juice to make sugar etc. are called sugar crops. For example, sugarcane, sugar beet and sweet sorghum.
VIII) ROOTS AND TUBER CROPS
The crops which are cultivated for their underground edible parts like bulbs, rhizome, tubers or corms are called root or tuber crops. For example, ginger, garlic, potato, turnip and many others.
IX) VEGETABLES OR GARDEN CROPS
The crops which are cultivated for their edible portions like leaves, flowers or fruits are called vegetable crops. The concept of vegetables is associated with garden. And the branch of horticulture which deals with cultivation of vegetables is called “olericulture”. For examplespinach, cucumber, gourds, eggplant, okra and tomato.
X) CONDIMENT CROPS
These crops are cultivated for the purpose of obtaining condiments. For example, turmeric, garlic, mint, chillies and ginger.
XI) MEDICINAL PLANTS
The plants which are serve purpose of medication and used in drug making are called medicinal plants. For example, aloe vera.
XII) NARCOTIC AND DRUG CROPS
These crops are cultivated for narcotic or drug purposes. Their extracts or tissues have hallucinating and calming effects on nervous systems of humans. For example, poppy, opium, tea, coffee and pepper mint. Some of them are also used for medicinal purposes.
For a detailed list of the agronomic crops and their botanical names, see my previous article,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments
Post a Comment