CLASSIFICATION OF CROPS

A crop is a plant which is cultivated by man for some beneficial purposes. Crops can be classified based on:

1. Life cycle
2. Morphology 
3. 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: –

1. ANNUAL CROPS: – These are crops which grow and complete their life cycle within a year, e. g. cotton, cowpea, yam, rice, etc.
2. BIENNIAL CROPS: – These are crops which grow and complete their life cycle within a year, e. g. cassava, pepper, onions, carrot, ginger, etc.
3. 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

1. What is a crop?
2. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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

1. State five characteristics of monocot crops and three examples.
2. State five characteristics of dicot crops and three examples.

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON USES

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. ROOTS AND TUBERS: – These crops produce tubers under the ground that are rich in carbohydrates, e. g. cassava, yam, potato, carrot, etc.
4. 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.
5. SPICES: – These crops are also rich in vitamins and minerals and are rich in food flavours e. g. pepper, ginger, garlic, onions, curry, etc.
6. BEVERAGE CROPS: – They are used in making food drinks e. g. cocoa, coffee, tea, kola nut, etc.
7. FRUIT CROPS: – These are plants which bear edible fruits that are rich in vitamins and minerals e. g. oranges, cashews, guava, watermelon etc.
8. OIL CROPS: – These are crops which produce edible oil when processed, e. g. cottonseed, coconut, oil palm, groundnut, shea butter, etc.
9. 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.
10. FIBRE CROPS: – They produce fibres used for making clothes, ropes, sacks, etc. Examples include cotton, sisal, jute, hemp, kenaf, etc.
11. DRUG PLANTS: – Crops grown for medicinal purposes, e. g. tobacco, neem, Indian hemp, etc.
12. FORAGE CROPS: – Crops grown to feed ruminant farm animals, e. g. stylo, cowpea, guinea grass, etc.
13. ORNAMENTAL CROPS: – Crops grown to beautify our environment, e. g. hibiscus, morning glory,y etc.

EVALUATION

1. What are a) forage crops, b) ornamental crops?
2. Give three examples each of: a) fibre crops, b) beverage crop,s c) drug plants

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1. What are crops?

2. Classify crops based on life cycle.
3. Classify crops based on morphology.
4. Classify crops based on uses.
5. List out three examples of spice crops.
6. State five biotic factors affecting agricultural production.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. Cocoa and coffee are examples of …… crops. A. spice B. stimulant C. beverage  D. cereal
2. All these are annual crops except A. cotton, B.  cowpea, C.  yam, D. pepper
3. Coconut is a/an… crop. A. annual B. biennial C. perennial D. ephemeral
4. Monocot crops have… A. two seed leaves B. three seed leaves C. tap root system
5. fibrous root system
6. Dicot crops have… A. one seed leaf B. three seed leaves C. tap root system
7. fibrous root system

THEORY

1. (a) Classify crops based on life cycle. (b) Classify crops based on morphology.
2. In a tabular form, state seven differences between monocot crops and dicot crops.

See also

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

AGRICULTURAL LAWS

LAND

AGRO-ALLIED IDUSTRIES

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT