Economically Useful Plants: Cereals

Economically Useful Plants

• Plants are cultivated for food, medicine, cosmetics, fiber, and forestry.
• Food crops like cereals, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and oilseeds are essential for human consumption.

Cereals

• Cereals provide essential nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
• Major cereals: rice, wheat, and maize.
• Minor cereals: millets and sorghum.

Rice (Oryza sativa)

• Rice is the primary carbohydrate source for Filipinos.
• Rice is a key agricultural product, employing rural populations.
• Rice is used in Filipino dishes like "sinangag," "puto," and "suman."
• Rice byproducts are rice flour, livestock feed, and handicrafts

Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

• Wheat is a staple in Northern India.
• Wheat is used for bread, bakery products, and malted beverages.

Maize/Corn (Zea mays)

• Maize/Corn originated in the New World.
• Maize/Corn is used as fodder, a food ingredient, and an industrial alcohol source.

Millets (Pearl, Little, Finger, Sorghum)

• Millets are rich in fiber, iron, and minerals.
• Millets are used for porridge, gluten-free products, and fermented beverages.

Pulses (Leguminous Crops)

• Pulses are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
• Black Gram (Vigna mungo) is used in Asian cuisine and improves soil fertility.
• Red Gram (Cajanus cajan) is a nitrogen-fixing crop used in curries.
• Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) is sprouted for salads, soups, and noodles.
• Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is used in stews, hummus, and vegetarian diets.

Medicinal Plants

• The pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries extract medicinal compounds from plants for healthcare.

Traditional Medicinal Plants in the Philippines (DOH-PITAHC approved)

• Akapulko (Cassia alata) treats skin diseases.
• Bawang (Allium sativum) lowers blood sugar and cholesterol.
• Lagundi (Vitex negundo) treats cough and asthma.
• Niyug-niyogan (Quisqualis indica) is an anti-helminthic (deworming).
• Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) treats kidney stones and wounds.
• Tsaang-Gubat (Carmona retusa) is used as a mouthwash.
• Ulasimang-bato (Peperomia pellucida) is an anti-hyperuricemia (gout relief).
• Yerba-Buena (Mentha arvensis) is an analgesic (pain relief).

Cosmetics & Aromatics

• Plant-based dyes, essential oils, and herbal extracts are widely used in skincare, beauty, and wellness.

Natural Dyes & Extracts

• Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) produces deep blue hues.
• Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is used for body art and hair coloring.
• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a natural yellow dye used in cosmetics.

Cosmetic & Skincare Ingredients

• Aloe Vera (Aloe vera L.) is a soothing, moisturizing agent.
• Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis) is used in skin and hair care.
• Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) has antiseptic and anti-acne properties.

Perfumes & Essential Oils

• Jasmine (Jasminum spp.) has a rich floral fragrance.
• Rose (Rosa spp.) is extracted for luxury perfumes
• Sandalwood (Santalum album) has a warm, woody base note in perfumes.

Forestry & Wood Products

• Sustainable forestry focuses on timber production and conserving biodiversity.
• Gmelina (Gmelina arborea) is fast-growing and used for paper and light construction.
• Acacia (Samanea saman) is versatile and used in furniture and pulp production.
• Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) is high-value wood for furniture and musical instruments.
• Narra (Pterocarpus indicus) is the National tree of the Philippines, used in fine woodworking.
• Bamboo is fast-growing and widely used in furniture, construction, and handicrafts.

How Much Food is Needed?

• A balanced diet is essential for health, providing necessary nutrients and calories.
• Food insecurity affects nearly 3 billion people with vitamin, mineral, or protein deficiencies.
• Food security is the ability to obtain sufficient, healthy food daily.
• Hunger affects 854 million people, with 95% in developing countries.
• Many people in wealthy nations lack a sufficient and healthy diet due to poverty and job losses.

Famines & Malnourishment

• Famine: Large-scale food shortages are caused by political instability, war, and displacement.
• Famine's effects include starvation, social disruption, economic chaos, and forced migration.
• Malnourishment: Nutritional imbalances stem from a lack of specific nutrients.
• 1 in 3 Filipino children under five suffers from stunting

What To Eat?

• Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs): Industrial meat production (cattle, pigs, poultry).
• Seafood: Edible fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
• Vegetation: Crops like rice, corn, vegetables, and fruits.

Core Aspects of Agriculture

• Cultivation: Land preparation, planting, and harvesting crops.
• Animal Husbandry: Breeding and raising livestock for food, fiber, and dairy.
• Soil & Water Management: Maintaining soil fertility and ensuring a stable water supply.

Types of Agriculture

• Subsistence Agriculture: Small-scale farming for family consumption.
• Commercial Agriculture: Large-scale farming for profit.
• Intensive Agriculture: High input farming using fertilizers and pesticides.
• Extensive Agriculture: Low-input farming over large areas.
• Animal Husbandry: Breeding and raising animals.
• Sustainable Farming: Environmentally friendly farming methods.
• Hydroponics: Soil-less plant cultivation.
• Aeroponics: Growing plants with misted nutrients.
• Smart Farming: Using technology for efficient agriculture.
• Aquaculture: Farming fish and aquatic organisms.
• Horticulture: Cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants.

Soil Degradation & Erosion

• Soil degradation: Loss of soil quality due to erosion, nutrient depletion, and pollution.
• Soil erosion: Removal of topsoil by water or wind.
  • Types of soil erosion: Sheet, rill, gully, and streambank erosion.
• Desertification: Conversion of productive land to desert.
• Salinization: Accumulation of mineral salts in soil, harming plant growth.

Fertilizers & Pesticides

• Fertilizers: Provide nutrients (N, P, K, etc.), but overuse leads to water pollution.
• Pesticides: Control pests, but excessive use harms ecosystems and human health.

GMOs & Agriculture

• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are altered for higher yields and resistance to pests.
  • GMOs have pros, including increased food production and enhanced nutrition.
  • GMOs have cons, including long-term effects, ethical concerns, and biodiversity loss.

Green Revolution

• Advancements in agriculture (1950s-1980s) increased food production.
  • Impacts included higher yields, the use of fertilizers, and reduced hunger.
  • Challenges included environmental degradation, reliance on chemicals, and biodiversity loss.
• The Philippines experienced increased rice production, but there are concerns over sustainability.

The Future of Agriculture

• Climate-resilient crops, sustainable practices, and local food systems are the future of agriculture.
• Precision agriculture will allow for efficient resource management.

Summary

• Innovations in agriculture have boosted food production.
• Environmental effects include soil degradation and water pollution.
• Health concerns include obesity, exposure to chemicals, and antibiotic resistance.
• Sustainable agriculture is key to future food security.