Crops

Crops

Crops (/krɒps/), derived from the Old English cropp meaning "a sprouting, a bunch, a harvest", are plants cultivated by humans for their use, either directly for consumption or indirectly as raw materials in industry.

Etymology

The term "crop" comes from the Old English cropp which means "a sprouting, a bunch, a harvest". It is related to the Dutch word krop and the German word Kropf with similar meanings.

Types of Crops

There are several types of crops, including:

• Food crops: These are crops grown for human consumption. Examples include wheat, rice, and corn.
• Cash crops: These are crops grown for sale rather than for personal use. Examples include cotton, tobacco, and coffee.
• Energy crops: These are crops grown specifically for their fuel value. Examples include corn for ethanol and soybeans for biodiesel.
• Cover crops: These are crops planted primarily to manage soil erosion, soil fertility, soil quality, water, weeds, pests, diseases, biodiversity and wildlife. Examples include rye and clover.

Cultivation

Crops are cultivated in a variety of ways, depending on the type of crop and the region in which it is grown. Common methods of cultivation include ploughing, sowing, irrigation, and harvesting.

Related Terms

• Agriculture: The science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products.
• Horticulture: The art or practice of garden cultivation and management.
• Botany: The scientific study of plants, including their physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution, classification, and economic importance.

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