Different types of crops in agriculture

Crops are the plants that are grown and harvested for multiple purposes on a small, large or even commercial scale. Agriculture crops on the other hand are the plants that are mostly cultivated for essence of their value as food, oil, spices, aroma, medicinal attributes and many more. There are various types of agricultural crops based on their use, life cycle, seasons, climates etc. Some of which are classified as follows:

Classification of Crops:

1. Based on primary

   Uses 

   The various types of crops cultivated for their primary use are enlisted below : 

   1. Food Crops

      Those crops that provide food to mankind are known as food crops. For example: cauliflower, apple, radish, turnip, cabbage, mango, pulses. 

   2. Cash Crops 

      These crops are also known as profit crops. So the plants or crops that are grown for the sole purpose of selling in order to make some profit are known as cash crops. For example: cotton, rubber, coco, tobacco, jute, coffee, tea.  

   3. Staple Crops

      Plants that are cultivated for their parts which are used as staple food are known as staple crops. These are the crop parts that are consumed on a daily basis as a traditional diet. For example: rice, maize, wheat, barley, buckwheat, millet. 

   4. Sugar and Sweetener Crops

      These crops are mainly cultivated for the production of sugar. It mainly includes two major crops; sugarcane and sugarbeets. However, sugar can be produced from other crops,i.e. from the sap of maple trees and sweet sorghums.

   5. Oilseed Crop 

      Those crops that are primarily grown for their seeds which contain essential oils that can be used on a daily basis are known as oilseed crops. For example: sunflower, mustard, sorghums, soybeans and more.

   6. Fiber Crops

      These crops are cultivated for the production of fibers are known as fiber crops. For example: jute, cotton, hemp, kenaf and flax.

   7. Medicinal Crops

      The plants that are primarily grown for their medicinal values are known as medicinal crops. For example: Aloe vera, Lemongrass, Tulsi, Mint, Turmeric.

   8. Aromatic Crops

      The crops that are grown mainly for their aromatic properties and can be used in culinary for food flavouring along with production of perfumes and cosmetics. For example: Lavender, Basil, Rosemary, Jasmine, Vanilla, etc.

   9. Forage Crops 

      The crops that are specially grown on barren lands as the eating material / feeding materials. Those crops on which the animals graze on, are forage crops. For example: legume, sorghum, weeds, alfalfa and more.

   10. Fodder Crops

       Those crops that are cultivated especially as the feed to the animals are known as fodder crops. Fodder crops are harvested and used as eating material while forage crops are the crops on the field where animals graze directly.  For Example: kale, fodder beet, turnip, corn, wheat, etc.

2. Based on  Climate 

   1. Rabi Crops

      These crops are known as winter crops as they are sown in winter/fall and harvested in spring. The crop seeds are sown from October to December and harvested from April to June. For Example: wheat, garlic, peas, grams, chickpea, coriander.

   2. Kharif Crops 

      These crops are known as monsoon/autumn crops as they are sown before the arrival of monsoon while harvested in late autumn. The crops are sown from the first week of June to mid week of July and harvested from September to December. For Example: rice, maize, groundnut, pulses.    

   3. Zaid Crops

      Those crops that are grown during the interval time period of Rabi and Kharif crops are known as zaid crops. These crops are also known as summer crops as they are grown during the summer season. For Example: vegetales, fodder crops, watermelons, pumpking.

3. Based on growth habit 

   1. Herbaceous crops

      The plants/crops which lack a woody system are known as herbaceous crops. For Example: Banana, fern, cilantro, basil.  

   2. Woody Crops 

      Those crops which have a woody stem are known as woody crops. For Example: Hibiscus, Pine, Oak.  

   3. Climbing crops 

      Those crops that require support to stand are known as climbing crops. These crops creep on the ground in the absence of a support but climbs and stands tall when provided a support. For example: sweet pea, bitter gourd, ivy.

4. Based on duration of growth 

   1. Annual Crops 

      The crops that germinate and produce their seeds, completing their life cycle within a year are known as annual crops. For Example: corn, wheat, rice, pea.

   2. Biennial Crops 

      Those crops that complete their life cycle in two years, from germinating to producing their seeds and dying, are known as biennial crops. For Example: carrot, cauliflower, cabbage, parsley, onion. 

   3. Perennial Crops

      The crops that require more than two years to complete their life cycle are known as perennial crops. These crops flower and produce fruits and seeds multiple times during their life cycle. For Example: apple, mango, lychee, guava.

5. Based on propagation method 

   1. Seed propagated crops

      Those crops that produce seeds and are propagated through seeds are known as seed propagated crops. For Example: mango, apple, maize, wheat.

   2. Vegetative propagated crops 

      Those crops propagated by the means of vegetative parts are known as vegetative propagated crops. For Example: cactus, pineapple, dragonfruit, potato, bulbs. 

6. Based on Root System 

   1. Fibrous root crops 

      Those crops that have many networking or branched roots which look like clusters are known as fibrous root crops. For Example: rice, wheat, corn, onions, sugarcane.

   2. Tap root crops

      Those crops that have one dominating root (primary root)  and other branching roots arising from the primary root are known as tap root crops. For Example: beetroot, sugar beet, carrot, parsnip, radish.