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Plant Science Introduction Plant Science • • • • 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