Definition of crop
The group of plants sown after soil preparation and fulfills any economical aspect is known as crop.
Classification of crops :-
• On the basis of season
Kharif crops – Sowing t time for kharif is 15 June to 15 July . Kharif crops need 25 – 35ºC temperature for germination and vegetative growth
Example – Soybean, Cotton, Pigeon-pea, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Maize, Rice, Groundnut, Green gram, Black gram, Sesame, Cluster bean, Cow pea, Susbania, Sun hemp.
Rabi crops – Sowing time of Rabi is Oct-Nov, because they require cold climate and low temperature (15-25°C)
Example – Wheat, Barley, Gram, Mustard, Pea, Lucerne, Lentil, Potato, Lahi, Oat, Linseed, Sugarcane, Tobacco, Sugar beet.
Zaid crop – Sowing time for these crop is March April. They are tolerant to heat waves and high temperature up to 35-42 °C.
Example – Green gram, Black gram, Sorghum stover, Maize stover, Sunflower and Cucurbits etc.
In India, Kharif crop has the first position under area and production.
• Economic Classification
Cereal Crops: Inflorescence of cereals is known as Spike. Cereals are Monocot, narrow leaved and rich source of carbohydrates.
Example – Paddy, Wheat, Pearl millet, Sorghum, Maize, Barley, Kodo millet, Finger millet etc.
Pulses– Pulses are Dicot, broad leaved and bear Pods. Pulses are rich source of protein
Example – Green gram, Black gram, Lentil, Red gram, Gram, Soybean, Pea.
Oil Seeds – The main purpose of growing these crops to obtain oil. Oil is extracted from the seeds of Groundnut, Soybean, Mustard, Castor, Sesame, Sunflower and Safflower.
Sugar Crops – The main purpose to growing such crop is to obtain the sugar.
Example – Sugarcane, Sugar beet, Sorghum, Sugar palm etc.
Fiber Crops – Such crops are grown to obtain fiber.
Example – Jute, Cotton, Sun hemp, Kenaf, Susbania, Linseed etc.
Fodder Crops– These are growing to fulfill the feeding needs of livestock.
Example – Lucerne, Barseem (Clover) Cow pea, Cluster bean, Oat, Sorghum stover, Maize
Spices – These are used to enhance the taste of food.
Example – Ginger, Peppermint, Cumin, Fennel, Celery, Black pepper, Turmeric, Cardamom, Coriander, Garlic, Onion
Colour crops – Colour crops are grown to obtain natural colour.
Example –. Tinopal, Safflower.
Medicinal Crop – Peppermint, Mentha, Ginger, Turmeric, Basil , Isabgol , Safed musli.
Stimulants – Tobacco, Tea, coffee, Cannabis, Opium Thom apple
• Botanical Classification
Gramineae (Poaceae) – Wheat, Barley, Rice, Sugarcane, Sorghum, Pearl millet, Qat and all grasses are comes under Gramineae. Maize,
Leguminaceae (Pepelionaceae) – Green gram, Black gram, Lentil, Pigeon pea, Gram, Soybean, Pea Sun hemp, Sesbania, Dew gram, Clover, Groundnut, Kidney beans
Solanaceae – Potato, Tomato, Chilli, Brinjal, Tobacco etc.
Crucifereae (Brassicaceae) – Mustard, Lahi, Black mustard, Radish, Rocket salad, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Knol-khol, Turnip etc.
Malvaceae – Cotton, Kenaf, Okra, China rose.
Compositeae (Asteraceae) – Niger. Sun flower, Safflower, Marigold,
Cucurbitaceae – Bottle gourd, Pumpkin, Sponge gourd, Bitter gourd.
Chenopodiaceae-Sugar beet, Spinach, Bathua
Umbelliferae – Carrot, Coriander umbelliferae
Pediliaceae – Sesame
Tiliaceae – Jute
Liniaceae-Linseed
here are different types of classification of crops