A crop is a plant which is cultivated by man for some beneficial purposes. Crops can be classified based on:
- Life cycle
- Morphology
- Uses.
CLASSIFICATION BASED ON LIFE CYCLE
The life cycle of a crop is the period from the planting of the seed to the maturity of the crop. Based on life cycle, crops can be grouped into three: –
- ANNUAL CROPS: – These are crops which grow and complete their life cycle within a year, e. g. cotton, cowpea, yam, rice, etc.
- BIENNIAL CROPS: – These are crops which grow and complete their life cycle within a year, e. g. cassava, pepper, onions, carrot, ginger, etc.
- PERENNIAL CROPS: – These are crops which grow and complete their life cycle in more than two years, e. g. banana, orange, cocoa, coconut,t etc.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
- What is a crop?
- Classify crops based on life cycle.
CLASSIFICATION BASED ON MORPHOLOGY
Based on morphology, i.e. structure (form and shape of a plant), crops are classified as:
- MONOCOTYLEDONOUS CROPS: These are crops which bear seeds that have only one seed leaf (cotyledon). Their leaves have parallel veins, and they have a fibrous root system. Examples include: maize, rice, millet, wheat, oil palm, grasses, etc.
- DICOTYLEDONOUS CROPS: These are crops which bear seeds that have two seed leaves or cotyledons. They possess leaves with net veins and a tap root system. Examples include: mango, orange, cowpea, groundnut, kola nut, pepper, etc.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
- State five characteristics of monocot crops and three examples.
- State five characteristics of dicot crops and three examples.
CLASSIFICATION BASED ON USES
- CEREALS: – Crops grown for their grains or seeds, which are rich in carbohydrates. They belong to the grass family, e. g. maize, millet, rice, wheat, oat, barley, guinea corn, etc.
- LEGUMES (PULSES): – These are crops grown for their seeds or grains which are rich in proteins, e. g. cowpea, groundnut, soya beans, pigeon peas, etc.
- ROOTS AND TUBERS: – These crops produce tubers under the ground that are rich in carbohydrates, e. g. cassava, yam, potato, carrot, etc.
- VEGETABLES: These are crops grown for their leaves, fruits, or roots which are rich in vitamins and minerals, e. g. tomato, lettuce, okra, amaranthus, cabbage, etc.
- SPICES: – These crops are also rich in vitamins and minerals and are rich in food flavours e. g. pepper, ginger, garlic, onions, curry, etc.
- BEVERAGE CROPS: – They are used in making food drinks e. g. cocoa, coffee, tea, kola nut, etc.
- FRUIT CROPS: – These are plants which bear edible fruits that are rich in vitamins and minerals e. g. oranges, cashews, guava, watermelon etc.
- OIL CROPS: – These are crops which produce edible oil when processed, e. g. cottonseed, coconut, oil palm, groundnut, shea butter, etc.
- LATEX CROPS: – They produce a fluid called latex, which, when processed, serves as raw material for making tyres, plastics, foam, etc. An example is a rubber tree.
- FIBRE CROPS: – They produce fibres used for making clothes, ropes, sacks, etc. Examples include cotton, sisal, jute, hemp, kenaf, etc.
- DRUG PLANTS: – Crops grown for medicinal purposes, e. g. tobacco, neem, Indian hemp, etc.
- FORAGE CROPS: – Crops grown to feed ruminant farm animals, e. g. stylo, cowpea, guinea grass, etc.
- ORNAMENTAL CROPS: – Crops grown to beautify our environment, e. g. hibiscus, morning glory,y etc.
EVALUATION
- What are a) forage crops, b) ornamental crops?
- Give three examples each of: a) fibre crops, b) beverage crop,s c) drug plants
GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS
1. What are crops?
- Classify crops based on life cycle.
- Classify crops based on morphology.
- Classify crops based on uses.
- List out three examples of spice crops.
- State five biotic factors affecting agricultural production.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
- Cocoa and coffee are examples of …… crops. A. spice B. stimulant C. beverage D. cereal
- All these are annual crops except A. cotton, B. cowpea, C. yam, D. pepper
- Coconut is a/an… crop. A. annual B. biennial C. perennial D. ephemeral
- Monocot crops have… A. two seed leaves B. three seed leaves C. tap root system
- fibrous root system
- Dicot crops have… A. one seed leaf B. three seed leaves C. tap root system
- fibrous root system
THEORY
- (a) Classify crops based on life cycle. (b) Classify crops based on morphology.
- In a tabular form, state seven differences between monocot crops and dicot crops.
See also