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Classification of Vegetables


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Botanical classification

Cultural classification

Thermo-Hardy classification

 

 
 
When is a vegetable
not a vegetable?

When it is a fruit. [Enter Here to How]

    

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Purdee University Botanical Classification quizz

 

 

               

 Botanical Classifications

Classification based on the plants botany is the favored method for plant botanists, taxonomists and breeders. This system groups the plants into genera including class, family, genus, species and subspecies. Although this information is extremely useful to those interested in plant breeding and improving the plant lines it is often of little use to growers because the cultural requirements of plants can vary greatly between genera.  Some plants do however have similar cultural requirements the most notable of these is the Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae familes. It is for this reason that when grouping plants according to their ‘cultural requirements’ horticulturists have grouped Solanaceous and Cucurbit vegetables in their own distinct groupings.

The botanical classification of some commom vegetables

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Cultural Classification

Thermo-Hardy Classification
 
 
 

 
Enter Here: [Agriculture Diversification in Bhutan]
Classifaction of Vegetables School Agriculture Handouts (CNR, 2009)

aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu. Lecture notes on vegetable classification 

 
 
 
 
 

 

Cultural Classifications

 
For the grower this is probability the most practical system of classification as it is based on essential methods of culture. That is if a crop has similar climatic requirements and cultivation requirements then they are group together. This grouping can does often mean that crops group under the same heading may be botanically divergent. Perennial vegetables – asparagus, rhubarb, artichoke
  1. Greens – Spinach, mustard
  2. Salad crops – Celery, lettuce, cress, parsley.
  3. Cole crops – Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli,
  4. Root crops – carrot, beetroot, turnip, radish, parsnip
  5. Bulb crops – onion, leek, garlic, chive
  6. Tuber crops- sweet potatoe, cassava (tapioca), yams
  7. Peas and beans
  8. Solanaceous vegetable crops – Tomatoe, brinjal, peppers (chilli,& bell peppers )
  9. Cucurbits –cucumber, pumpkin, squash, melons, gherkins, gourdsClassification based on cultural practices has been proved to be the most adaptable in field situations. 

 

Thermo-Hardy Classification
 

 Cool season vegetables
Joyshrine, 2009, 5 a Day?.
 
 

Warm season vegetables
Gino, 2007,  This Mornings Harvest
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Thermo & Hardyness Classifications

Hardyness:
For growers the classification of vegetable crops by similarities in their temperature requirements (Thermo-classification) or by their ability to withstand frost (Hardy ness classification) assists growers in planning their planting schedules. However hardy only refers to frost and some hardy vegetables will not withstand summer drought, while some tender crops do not thrive in cool weather even when there is no frost. 
 
Hardy
Semi-hardy
Tender
Asparagus
Beets
Brinjal
Broccoli
Carrot
Capsicum
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Tomatoe
Garlic
Lettuce
Cluster beans
Onion
 
Cowpea
Peas
Cucurbits
Radish
 
Snap beans
Spinach
 
 
Turnip
 
 
 
 Thermo-classification
Not unlike hardyness thermo-classification is also based on temperate. The difference is that crops are classified according to their optimum temperature requirements and are divided into two groups either as cool temperature or warm temperature crops. Cool temperature crops have an optimum temperature of 12-20oC and are able go as low as 1oC, no mention of their ability to withstand frost are given in this classification. Warm temperature crops have an optimum of 18-20 oC
 
Cool temperature crops are as follows: Green peas, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, onions and spinach are all ‘cold season ’ crops. ‘Warm season’ crops are; Beans, cucumber, eggplant, okra, pepper, summer squash, watermelon, and tomatoes. This system of classification gives the grower an indication of the crops ability to withstand high temperatures but nothing in regards to frost. In order to have a clear idea on which crop to use when planning a planting schedule it is advised that the grower use the ‘hardyness classification’ in conjunction with the thermo-classification.

 
References                               
1. Gino, (2007). This Morning Harvest, from, Retreived Febuary 22nd, 2009, from http://www.flickr.com.
2. Gurung, T, (Ed.). (2007). HC12: Vegetable Production: Unit 1. Lobesa: College of Natural Resources.
3. Joyshrine, (2009) 5 a Day?.  Retreived Febuary 22nd, 2009, from http://www.flickr.com
 
4, Shanmugavelu, K.G. (1989). Production Technology of Vegetable Crops. Oxford & IBH Publications, Delhi. Pp 9-18.
 
 

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