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Plant Science
Introduction
Plant Science
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A crop is any plant used by human beings
Other related areas of study
- Agronomy - field crops, wheat, corn, soybeans
- Horticulture - fruits, veggies, woody
ornamentals and floriculture crops
• - Forestry - wood and pulp production,
recreation, wildlife and watershed management
• - Weed science - deal with controlling and
management of unwanted plants.
Major Uses of Plants as FOOD
Grains
– Grain yielding grasses are a major source of human
food.
• In temperate regions, WHEAT is primary
source.
• Warmer regions, rice is primary source.
• Other major grain crops in grass family: Corn,
oats, rye, barley, millet and grain sorghum.
Starchy Foods
• In addition to cereal grains, starchy roots
and other plant parts have served as a
food staple for centuries. EXAMPLES:
• Potatoes, Sweet potato, Cassava, Yam,
Banana (in tropical regions of the world)
Vegetables/Fruits
• Sweet corn, Snap bean, Pea, Bean, Lettuce,
Tomato
• Fruits - Tropical Regions
– Important Fruit Crops
• Banana, Pineapple, Mango, Papaya, Orange, Lemon, Lime
– Popular fruit in temperate zones:
• Apple, Pear, Peach, Cherry, Plum, Apricot
– Small fruits
• Grape, raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry
Sugar Crops
• In spite of its lack of protein, vitamins
and minerals, sugar is a major dietary
component, especially in developed
countries.
• Sugarcane - grown in tropical and
subtropical climates
• Sugar beet - grown in temperate climates
Oil Crops
• Because of the relationship between heart
disease and animal fats, plant oil crops
especially soybean production has skyrocketed
in the last 50 years
• Major sources of oil crops are:
– Soybean, Sunflower, Peanut, Corn, Cottonseed,
Olive, Coconut, Safflower, Certain Palms
• Other components of a human diet
– Nut, Spice and Beverage Crops
- Nuts, Walnut, Pecan, Spices, Vanilla, Pepper,
Allspice, Oregano
Beverages
• Coffee, Chocolate, Tea , Cola
Nonfood Uses of Plants
• Fiber Crops - Plant fibers have been used
since prehistoric times to make cloth.
• Major sources:Cotton and Flax
– Natural fibers have been replaced with
synthetics.
– Nylon, rayon, polyester
Timber, Fuel and Pulp
• Forests provide us with timber for
lumber products.
• Forest Management has been a major
concern in the past 20 years.
• Forests provide for recreation such as
hiking, camping, 4-wheeling, hunting.
• Forests stabilize watershed areas, which
affect fishing and boating activities
Aesthetic Uses
• Aesthetic = the way something looks
• Using plants for beauty dates back to the
dynastic Egyptians
• Today, we use cut flowers, turf grasses,
green foliage.
Other Plant Products
• Medicines, Drugs, Perfumes, Cosmetics,
Insecticides, Industrial chemicals