Lecture 2
Classification of Vegetables
Vegetables are classified as:
1. Botanical classification.
2. Classification based on hardiness or temperature.
3. Classification based on plant part used.
4. Classification based on culture.
5. Classification based on life cycle
6. Classification based on raising method
7. Classification based on rooting depth
8. Classification based on light duration
1. Botanical classification
This is only system, which is universally accepted the classification based on
morphological and cytological similarities and dissimilarities, place of origin, crossability
behavior, floral biology etc.
All vegetable belong to Angiosperm.
BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION OF VEGETABLE CROPS
Family Botanical name English name
Class Monocotyledoeae
Gramieae Zea mays var. rugosa Sweet corn
Amaryllidaceae Allium cepa Onion
Allium cepa var.aggregatum Multiplier onion
Allium porrum Leek
Allium sativm Garlic
Allium fistulosum Welsh onion
Allium ascalonicum Shallot
Allium schoenoprasum Chive
Liliaceae Asparagus officinalis Asparagus
Araceae Colocasia esculenta Arvi and taro
Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea esculenta Lesser yam
Dioscorea rotundata Greater yam
Dioscorea alata White yam
Class Dicotyledoneae
Aizoaceae Tetragonia expansa New Zealand spinach
Chenopodiaceae Beta vulgaris var.bengalensis Palak or Indian palak
Beta vulgaris var. cicla Chard
Spinacia oleracea Spinach
Beta vulgaris Beet root
Compositae Lactuca sative Lettuce
Cichorum intybus Chicory
Cichorum endivia Endive
Cynara scolymus Artichoke
Convolvulaceae Ipomoea batatas Sweet potato
Cruciferae Brassica oleracea var capitata Cabbage
Brassica oleracea var.botrytis Cauliflower
Brassica oleracea Brussels sprouts
var.gemmifera
Brassica oleracea var.italica Sprouting broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. acephala Kale
Brassic culorapa Kholarbi or Knoll Khol
Brassica napus var. Rutabage
napobrassica
Brassica campestris var. rapa Turnip
Brassica chinensits Chinese cabbage
Raphanus sativus Radish
Raphanus sativus var. mourgi Rat tail/mourgi radish
Armoracia rusticana Horse radish
Cucurbitaceae Cucurbita moschata Pumpkin
Cucurbita pepo Summer squash
Cucubita maxima Winter squash
Citrullus lanatus Water melon
Cucumis sativus Cucumber
Lagenaria siceraria Bottle gourd
Momordica charantia Bitter gourd
Leguminosae Dolichos lablab Hyacinth bean
Phaseolus vulgaris French bean
Vigna sinensis Cowpea
Malvaceae Abelmoschus esculentus Okra
Solanacae Capsicum annuum Pepper
Solanum lycopersicum Tomato
Solanum melongena Brinjal
Solanum tuberosum Potato
Umbelliferae Daucas carota Carrot
(2). Classification based on Season/Hardiness /Tenderness or temperature:-
Divided into two main group.
(a) Winter Season Vegetable / Cool Season / Temperate.
(i) Hardy / Tolerant Vegetable:- Asparagus, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
Cabbage, Chive, Gralic, Kali, Knol-Knol, Leek, Onion, Parsley, Pea, Radish,
Spinach and Turnip.
(ii) Semi hardy semi tolerant vegetable:- Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese, Celery,
Lettuce, Leaf beet and Potato.
(b) Summer Season Vegetable
(i) Tender / Sensitive Vegetable:- These include pepper, tomato, snap been and
sweet corn.
(ii) Very tender / Very sensitive Vegetable:- Amaranth, Okra, Egg plant,
Capsicum, Chilli, Cluster been, Lima bean, Colocasia, Cowpea, Cucurbits, Sweet
potato, Yam.
(3). Classification based on plant part Used
1. Leaves: Cabbage, Lettuce, Spinach, amaranth, fenugreek.
2. Stem: Knol Khol, Asparagus, cauliflower, Celery.
3. Fruits: Cucurbits, tomato, eggplant, chilli, capsicum.
4. Pods: Peas, Snap pea, Snow pea, Bean, okra.
5. Flowers: Sprouting broccoli, globe artichoke
6. Roots: Radish, turnip, Carrot, beet root, yam, parsnip.
7. Bulb Crops: Onion, garlic, leek etc.
8. Tuber crops: Potato & sweet potato
9. Corm: Yam
(4). Classification Based on Culture: Similar cultural requirement are grouped together.
(Practical value for farmer & Student).
Cole Crops: Cauliflower, cabbage, Knol khol, Chinese cabbage, Sprouting broccoli
and Brussel sprout etc.
Leafy Vegetables: All direct seeded Cabbage include spinach, Coriander, fenugreek,
amaranth, Swiss chard etc.
Salad Vegetables: Lettuce, Celery, Chicory, parsley.
Root Vegetables: Direct Sown Winter vegetables include radish, carrot, turnip, beetroot,
parsnip, rutabage.
Cucurbits: Direct seeded summer season crops tomato, Chilli, eggplant, capsicum.
Pea and Beans (Pod Vegetable): Pea, French bean, Dolichos bean, broad bean, Clusler bean,
Lima bean, Winged and cow pea.
Bulb Vegetables: Winter Season Vegetable: onion, Leek garlic
Perennial Vegetables:- Asparagus, Artichoke, Chayote, Pointed ground, Ivy gourd.
Tuber Vegetables:- Potato, Sweet potato, Taro, Cassava Tapioca, Yam
Fibre Crops: Okra.
Solanaceous crops: Tomato, Brinjal and Chillies
(5). Classification based on Life cycle
Annual Vegetable:- Completes their life cycle in one year . Ex: Pea, Bean, Tomato, etc.
Biennial Vegetables: Completes their life cycle in two year .
First year - Vegetative phase
IInd year - Reproductive phase
Example:. Cole crop, bulb crop, root crops
Perennial Vegetable: Completes their life cycle in more than two year
Ex: Asparagus, Artichoke, Chayote, Pointed ground, Ivy gourd
(6). Classification based on raising method:
Direct sown crops: Okra, carrot, radish, beans, peas, garlic
Transplanted crops: Tomato, brinjal, chillies, cabbage, cauliflower
Planting vines and cuttings: Sweet potato, cassava and Pointed gourd
Bits of tubers and corms: Potato, Yams
(7). Classification based on rooting depth:
Shallow rooted (30-40cm): Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, lettuce, onion, potato,
radish
Moderately deep (50-70cm): Carrot, cucumber, brinjal, muskmelon, pea, pepper,
eggplant, summer squash, turnip
Deep rooted (80-100cm and above): French bean, pumpkin, sweet potato, tomato,
watermelon
(8) Classification based on light duration:
Long day: Lettuce, radish, onion, cabbage
Short day: Sweet potato, pepper, pea, cucumber
Day-neutral: Tomato, brinjal
