Classification of Vegetables

By Dr. Yasser Mohamed Ahmed

Vegetable Crops Definition Vegetable Science: Vegetable Science is one of the branches of horticulture science. Vegetable crops are known as a herbaceous plants that need a special treatments in their cultivation, production, handling, marketing and storage.

Classification of Vegetables
There are many numbers of Vegetables. Different parts are used for consumption. They are botanically different and their climatic and cultural requirements are different. There are four Main Methods of Classification Based on: 1. Botanical Classification 2. classification by edible part 3. Thermo-classification 4. Classifications based on method of culture

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.

Examples are:
a. Solanaceae (include tomato, potato, eggplant and pepper) b. Cucurbitaceae (include cucumber, melon, squash and watermelon)

classification by edible part Vegetables classified according to the parts of the plant harvested for food or other uses. Examples:
a. Root vegetables (carrots, beetroot, radish) b. Tuber vegetables (potato) c. Corm (Taro) d. Stem vegetable (Asparagus) e. Leaf vegetables (Lettuce, cabbage) f. Bulb vegetable (Onion, garlic) g. Fruit vegetable (Tomato, okra) h. Flower vegetables (Broccoli, Cauliflower) i. Seed vegetable (bean, Peas)

Thermo-classification Some vegetable species prefer cool temperatures during production, and others prefer warm temperatures. Based on seasons in which they grow best, vegetables may be classified into two groupings. This classification gives the grower an indication of what crops he can planted in each seasons.

Thermo-classification Cool season: Cool-season crops require monthly temperatures of 1518C (60-65F). Examples are beet and cabbage Warm season: Warm-season crops prefer monthly temperatures of 1827C. Examples are okra, eggplant and tomato

Classifications based on method of culture

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.

Classifications based on method of culture

Greens Spinach Salad crops Celery, lettuce, parsley. Cole crops Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli. Root crops carrot, turnip, radish. Bulb crops onion, garlic. Tuber crops- sweet potatoe, cassava Peas and beans Solanaceous crops Tomatoes, peppers