Agronomic Crops Distinguished
from Horticultural Crops

<<< Back to What is Agriculture

What comprise the agronomic crops? There are contrasting views but there is general agreement that the following are agronomic crops, that is, the species in each plant grouping belong to the domain of agronomy: cereal or grain crops; grain legumes or pulses and oilseed crops for food, feed or industrial use; pasture and forage crops; fiber crops; sugar crops; and starchy root and tuber crops.

From the different divisions or branches of horticulture, the horticultural crops consist of the olericultural or vegetable crops, pomological or fruit crops and edible nuts, floricultural and other ornamental crops, and nursery crops. In addition, the aromatic crops and the medicinal crops are generally included. The ornamental crops are further grouped into flowering and foliage plants which are grown for special purposes such as for cutflowers, potted plants, landscaping, interior decoration, or floral arrangement.

The following table can be used as a general reference in differentiating agronomic crops from horticultural crops:

(Source: Rimando 2004; Janick 2005; ISHS 2011).

However, it is restressed that classification into agronomic and horticultural crops varies from country to country and even from author to author. Notable are the rubber crop, plantation crops and industrial crops. Abellanosa and Pava (1987) classified rubber under agronomic crops but Lantican (2002) and Rimando (2004) put them under horticultural crops. On the international level, ISHS (2011) clarifies that plantations engaged in the growing of plants for the production of latex used in the manufacture of rubber, as well as for the production of oil for food or industry (e.g. oil palm), are not under horticulture.

LITERATURE CITED

ABELLANOSA AA, PAVA HM. 1987. An Introduction to Crop Science. Musuan, Bukidnon, Phils.: Central Mindanao University. 245 p.

[BAS] BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. 2010. Major Crops Statistics of the Philippines 2005-2009. Quezon Ave., Q.C.: DA-BAS. 241 p.

JANICK J. 2002. Lectures 20-21: Medieval and renaissance agriculture in Europe. In: History of Horticulture. Purdue University. Retrieved Oct. 8, 2011 from http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/history/lecture20/lec20.html.

JANICK J. 2005. Horticultural plant breeding: past accomplishments, future directions. Proc. IS on Hort. in Asian-Pacific Region (Drew R, ed.). Acta Hort. 694:61-65. Retrieved 08, 2011 from http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/pdfs/acta694.pdf.

LANTICAN RM. 2001. The Science and Practice of Crop Production. College, Los Banos, Laguna, Phils: SEAMEO SEARCA and UPLB. 330 p.

RIMANDO TJ. 2004. Crop Science 1: Fundamentals of Crop Science (Lecture Syllabus). UPLB, College, Laguna: University Publications Office. 145 p.

(Ben G. Bareja. Oct. 2011)

You can use our Search Box to find subject of interest. Click to return to cropsreview.com Crop Farming Homepage from agronomic crops.