Commercial Food Crops in the Philippines

Learning Outcomes

• Identify five major crops in the Philippines.
• Provide examples of commercial food crops in the Philippines.
• Describe parts of plants and their functions.
• Explain the importance of plants in ecosystems.

Types of Commercial Food Crops

• Food Crops: Cultivated primarily for human consumption, providing essential nutrients and energy.
• Major Food Crop Categories:
  • Cereal Crops: Edible seeds or grains, staple foods rich in carbohydrates.
  • Root and Tuber Crops: Underground parts rich in carbohydrates and essential nutrients.
  • Sugar Crops: Grown for high sugar content, processed into sugar or ethanol.
  • Vegetable Crops: Edible plant parts like leaves and stems, important for vitamins and minerals.
  • Fruit Crops: Grown for fruits, consumed raw or used in cooking, rich in vitamins and natural sugars.

Plant Structure and Functions

• Roots:

  • Functions: Anchorage, absorption of water/nutrients, storage.
  • Types: Taproot (e.g., carrots) and fibrous root (e.g., grasses).
  • Special Adaptations: Adventitious roots and prop roots provide additional support.

• Stems:

  • Functions: Support leaves/flowers/fruits, transport nutrients/water, storage.
  • Types: Herbaceous (soft, non-woody) and woody (hard, rigid).
  • Special Adaptations: Succulent stems for water storage, climbing stems for support.

• Leaves:

  • Functions: Photosynthesis, gas exchange, transpiration.
  • Parts: Blade (photosynthesis site), petiole (connects blade to stem), veins (transport).
  • Special Adaptations: Needles for water conservation, tendrils for climbing.

• Flowers:

  • Functions: Facilitate reproduction, attract pollinators.
  • Parts: Petals (attract pollinators), sepals (protect flower bud), stamens (male parts), pistils (female parts).
  • Special Adaptations: Composite flowers and pollinator-specific adaptations.

• Fruits:

  • Functions: Protect and disperse seeds.
  • Types: Fleshy (e.g., apples) and dry fruits (e.g., nuts).
  • Special Adaptations: Drupes (single seed) and berries (multiple seeds).

• Seeds:

  • Functions: Contain the embryo, store nutrients, protection from damage.
  • Parts: Seed coat (protective layer), embryo (future plant), cotyledons (nutrient providers).
  • Special Adaptations: Wind and water dispersal mechanisms.

Summary of Plant Parts and Functions

• Roots: Anchorage, nutrient absorption, energy storage.
• Stems: Support and transport system for nutrients and water.
• Leaves: Photosynthesis site, gas exchange, transpiration.
• Flowers: Reproductive organs that attract pollinators.
• Fruits: Protect and assist in dispersing seeds.
• Seeds: Contain developing plant and nutrient storage.