Teff: An Ancient Staple Crop
115 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which family does teff belong to?

  • Fabaceae
  • Brassicaceae
  • Asteraceae
  • Poaceae (correct)

    • What classification does teff fall under concerning its life cycle?

  • Perennial
  • Annual (correct)
  • Woody
  • Biennial

    • Where was teff first domesticated?

  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Ethiopia (correct)
  • Kenya

    • What is a common product made from teff flour?

    <p>Injera</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which step follows harvesting in the processing of teff seeds?

    <p>Cleaning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of plant is arugula classified as?

    <p>Annual herb</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the arugula plant is primarily used for culinary purposes?

    <p>Leaves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What method is commonly used for harvesting arugula on large-scale farms?

    <p>Mechanical harvesting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the native distribution of arugula?

    <p>Mediterranean region</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is cold storage used during the arugula packaging process?

    <p>To maintain freshness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a primary limitation of early artificial classification systems?

    <p>They focused on medicinal properties and appearance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who created the first documented plant classification system?

    <p>Theophrastus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key feature of Carl Linnaeus' binomial nomenclature?

    <p>It consists of a generic name and a species epithet.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true regarding the rules of binomial nomenclature?

    <p>The genus name is capitalized, and the species epithet is lowercase.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What period is referred to as 'The Age of Herbals' in plant classification history?

    <p>1470-1670</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What contributes to the complexity of using common names in plant taxonomy?

    <p>A single name can refer to multiple species in different regions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature?

    <p>It standardizes the rules for plant classification and naming.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of phenetic classification systems in plant taxonomy?

    <p>Emphasizing conservative morphological characters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of information is critical for implementing a phylogenetic classification of flowering plants?

    <p>Knowledge about ancestral relationships among plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which plant characteristic does not typically play a significant role in morphological classification?

    <p>Leaf size and shape variations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements accurately reflects a challenge in classifying flowering plants?

    <p>Determining primitive versus advanced characters is complex due to poor fossil records.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining characteristic of the Socotra Dragon Trees?

    <p>They can grow up to 12 meters in height.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following species is known for growing in foggy weather on Mt. Kilimanjaro?

    <p>Giant Senecio</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic used in phenetic classification?

    <p>Floral character variability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes monocots from eudicots primarily?

    <p>Monocots have parallel-veined leaves.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is supported by Joseph Hooker's hypothesis on flower evolution?

    <p>The earliest flowers were large with numerous floral parts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic is NOT a feature of monocots?

    <p>Broad leaf structure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has recent molecular biology studies indicated about the classification of flowering plants?

    <p>A third group, magnoliid angiosperms, evolved before monocots and eudicots.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the Hooker system, what is a significant evolutionary change observed in flowers?

    <p>Fusion of sepals and petals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the common floral parts found in eudicots?

    <p>Five or multiples thereof.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining feature of the root system in monocots?

    <p>Development of a fibrous root system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines a biological species according to the content?

    <p>A group of individuals that can interbreed with each other.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following issues challenges the application of the biological species concept to plants?

    <p>Some species reproduce asexually and do not require interbreeding.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary alternative used by plant taxonomists to classify and describe species?

    <p>Morphological traits and forms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can environmental conditions affect plant morphology?

    <p>They can influence traits like height and growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which plant is noted for its significant morphological change related to its floral structure?

    <p>Rafflesia, known for its large flower and corpse-like smell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the phenomenon of 'plasticity' in plants refer to?

    <p>Plants varying their morphology based on environmental conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a plant that has evolved parasitic characteristics?

    <p>South African Parasitic Plant, which siphons nutrients.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant consequence of the variations in plant morphology?

    <p>It complicates the definition and classification of species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary advantage of agriculture?

    <p>It ensures an adequate food supply throughout the year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which regions did agriculture first develop, according to archaeological evidence?

    <p>Asia Minor, China-Southeast Asia, and the Americas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What theory did Gordon Childe propose about the transition to agriculture?

    <p>Humans and herd animals converged near watering holes during dry periods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is suggested as a reason agriculture may have developed in arid regions?

    <p>A reliable food source was needed due to dry conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Carl Sauer's theory on agriculture emphasized which environmental factor?

    <p>Human populations developed in favorable habitats.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What archaeological evidence supports the origins of agriculture?

    <p>Findings in arid regions like the Fertile Crescent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of species is indicated as native to the Fertile Crescent region that facilitated early agriculture?

    <p>Cereal crops.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of genetic crossing and back-crossing in plant breeding?

    <p>To develop new plant cultivars and maintain hybrid vigor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method is NOT typically used for cloning plant cultivars?

    <p>Binary fission</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What outcome can result from inducing polyploidy in plants using colchicine?

    <p>Increased genetic material and potential for new traits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is accurate regarding genetic mutations in plant breeding?

    <p>They can be identified and propagated once useful traits are discovered.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a notable feature of the hybrid crop triticale?

    <p>It combines traits from wheat and rye, enhancing cold resistance and yield.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does mutability play in crop development?

    <p>It is critical in the development by allowing new traits to emerge.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an essential characteristic of modern agricultural crops in relation to ploidy?

    <p>Polyploidy is common and often results in larger, stronger plants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these cloning methods is specifically used for joining plant tissues?

    <p>Grafting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major concern regarding genetically engineered crops?

    <p>They may hybridize with native plants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes genetic engineering from genetic modification?

    <p>Genetic modification uses traditional breeding techniques.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is genetic diversity important in agriculture?

    <p>It supports the development of new crop varieties.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the criticisms associated with genetically engineered seeds?

    <p>They are less accessible to farmers in developing nations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do older plant varieties play in modern agriculture?

    <p>They have the potential to aid in breeding new crops.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major challenge faced in the preservation of tropical rain forests?

    <p>They contain a vast genetic resource that is being lost.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key distinction between genetically modified crops and genetically engineered crops?

    <p>Genetically engineered crops incorporate additional genetic material.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which archaeological development occurred around 8,750 years ago in Asia Minor?

    <p>The major cereal crop was identified as wheat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role did Binford and Flannery attribute to early plant gatherers?

    <p>They acted as applied botanists who cultivated plants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which theory emphasizes the significance of weeds in the transition to agriculture?

    <p>Anderson's Hypothesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a major agricultural development in the region of Jarmo approximately 10,000 years ago?

    <p>Collection of wild grains began.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor contributed to the agricultural development in Asia Minor?

    <p>The movement of populations into the Tigris-Euphrates valleys.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which crop was one of the first to be cultivated approximately 8,750 years ago along with wheat in Asia Minor?

    <p>Barley</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary outcome of the planting-harvesting link in early agricultural practices?

    <p>Increased selection for simultaneous seed maturation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following characteristics is likely to have been favored in cereal crops due to human agricultural practices?

    <p>Uniform seed maturation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did early agricultural practices influence the phenotypic characteristics of cultivated plants?

    <p>They often resulted in drastic modifications to these traits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic favored by selection pressures in cereal crops?

    <p>Increase in seed appendage size</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which genotype characteristic would likely diminish in prevalence due to human harvesting practices?

    <p>Extended seed development time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the number of florets play in the selection of cereal crops by early agriculturalists?

    <p>Increasing overall seed yield</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What were the primary crops shifted to in southeast Europe due to the cooler climate?

    <p>Rye and oats</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which region showed evidence of agriculture around 6,000 years ago?

    <p>Both A and B</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is referred to as 'incipient cultivation' in agricultural development?

    <p>The initial small-scale plant cultivation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant agricultural practice was introduced in Central Mexico about 2,500 years ago?

    <p>Introduction of irrigation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following crops is NOT mentioned as native to the Sahara region?

    <p>Rice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What limitation affects the knowledge of agricultural practices in eastern Asia?

    <p>Preservation issues in tropical environments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of the loss of seed shattering in crop plants?

    <p>Seeds will remain on the plant, ensuring better harvest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does competition among plants at high density affect seed selection?

    <p>Seeds with more carbohydrates are favored for their growth advantage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which introduced crop had a significant impact on European agriculture during the 1600s?

    <p>Potatoes from South America.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic allows weedy species to thrive alongside crop plants?

    <p>They shed their seeds before the harvest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one effect of the European conquest of the Americas on food crops?

    <p>It facilitated the spread of corn and potatoes across Europe.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following species is known for evolving as a weed of early European wheat fields?

    <p>Rye</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What selection pressure favors simultaneous seed maturation in plant cultivars?

    <p>The alignment of planting with harvesting practices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role did the Arabic colonization of Spain play in European agriculture?

    <p>It brought rice and sugar cane to the region.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following effects does the selective pressure of agriculture NOT impose on plant species?

    <p>Delayed seed maturation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a defined aspect of early agricultural practices in the Aztec civilization?

    <p>Utilization of complex irrigation systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What underlying mechanism contributes to the changes in phenotypic characteristics of cultivated plants?

    <p>The influence of the genome evolving through natural selection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary benefit of developing a new resistant cultivar in modern agriculture?

    <p>To start the crop development cycle anew</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method is used for maintaining hybrid vigor in crops like corn?

    <p>Genetic crossing and back-crossing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'polyploidy' refer to in the context of plant breeding?

    <p>The doubling of chromosome numbers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the main advantages of plants being easily cloned?

    <p>It allows for consistent propagation of desired traits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which hybrid crop was developed by crossing wheat and rye?

    <p>Triticale</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can genetic mutations affect crop development?

    <p>By providing new traits to be propagated</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a method of cloning plants?

    <p>Cross-pollination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What advantage did the domestication of plants offer compared to a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle?

    <p>A more stable and reliable food source</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one significant incentive for early human populations to settle in one place?

    <p>The availability of trade routes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the shift to agriculture change human societal structures?

    <p>It allowed for career specialization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role did early hunter-gatherers serve in the ecosystems they inhabited?

    <p>They were experts in local plant ecology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What relationship is suggested between plant domestication and environmental control?

    <p>Cultivation improved control over both plants and land</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the questions ethnobotanists and cultural anthropologists seek to answer regarding agriculture?

    <p>Where crop species originated and how they have changed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major crops were included in agriculture practiced in Central America around 7,000 years ago?

    <p>Corn, squash, peppers, amaranth, and avocado</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following events occurred approximately 6,000 years ago in Asia Minor?

    <p>Development of sophisticated urban civilizations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what region did evidence of agrarian society first develop around 6,000 years ago?

    <p>Yang-Chao site near the Yellow River in China</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant invention was developed in Egypt around 14,000 years ago?

    <p>Grinding equipment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately denotes a misconception regarding the agriculture development timeline?

    <p>Agriculture began only in a specific region.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What prompted the shift to rye and oats in Europe around 6,000 years ago?

    <p>Climate change affecting crop growth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant agricultural development 2,500 years ago?

    <p>Trade of crop seeds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which crop introduction is attributed to the Arabic colonization of Spain?

    <p>Rice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which region is known for the domestication of the potato?

    <p>Andes, South America</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of cultivation was noted 5,500 years ago?

    <p>30%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which crop was introduced to Russia in the 1700s?

    <p>Potatoes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following was NOT a crop introduced to Europe by Roman colonization?

    <p>Rice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Teff: An Ancient Staple Crop

    • Teff (Eragrostis tef) belongs to the Poaceae family, commonly known as the grass family.
    • It is a herbaceous annual, meaning it completes its life cycle within a single growing season.
    • Teff is native to the Horn of Africa, specifically Ethiopia and Eritrea.
    • Domestication occurred in the Ethiopian highlands between 4000 BC and 1000 BC.
    • Ethiopia currently accounts for over 90% of global Teff production.
    • Teff seeds are the primary edible part of the plant.
    • Teff is harvested, threshed, cleaned, and milled into flour.
    • Injera, a traditional Ethiopian flatbread, is made with fermented Teff flour.
    • Teff seeds can also be cooked whole.
    • Teff flour is used for various gluten-free products including pasta, cereals, biscuits, and bread.

    Botanical Information

    • Arugula belongs to the Brassicaceae family, also known as the mustard family.

    • Arugula is a herbaceous, eudicot plant.

    • It is classified as a herb, specifically a leafy green plant used for culinary purposes.

    • Arugula is an annual plant, meaning it completes its life cycle within one growing season.

    • Arugula is native to the Mediterranean region, which includes parts of southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

    Utilization

    • The leaves of the arugula plant are used as food.

    • Arugula leaves have a peppery, spicy flavor.

    • They are commonly used in salads, pestos, and as toppings for pizzas, sandwiches, and soups.

    Commercial Harvesting

    • Harvesting is done mechanically on large-scale farms.

    • Mechanical harvesters cut the leaves at the base, allowing for regrowth.

    • Harvested leaves are transported to a processing area.

    • Leaves are sorted to remove damaged or discolored ones.

    • Arugula leaves are washed thoroughly to remove dirt and contaminants.

    • After cleaning, the arugula is dried and packaged for wholesale or retail sale.

    • Packaging often includes measures to maintain freshness, such as breathable bags or moisture-absorbing packets.

    • Packaged arugula is stored in cold storage facilities until it is shipped to markets or grocery stores.

    History of Plant Classification

    • Theophrastus, a student of Aristotle, created the first plant classification system around 2300 years ago.
    • He recognized distinct families like Pea, Grass, Sunflower, and Mustard.
    • The Age of Herbals (1470-1670) saw the development of herbal manuscripts with illustrations and medicinal properties of plants.
    • Due to problems with inconsistently used common names across languages, a Latin-based system of nomenclature was developed.
    • Carl Linnaeus introduced the binomial system in Species Plantarum (1753), which is still used today.
    • The binomial system assigns a generic name and a species epithet to each plant, for example Picea glauca (white spruce).
    • The system follows rules from the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, including capitalization and italicization of the binomial name.

    Plant Species

    • A biological species is defined as a group of individuals that can interbreed but not with other species, producing fertile offspring.
    • This definition is difficult to apply in practice for plants because spatially separated populations of the same species may not readily interbreed, and some plant species can form fertile hybrids with others.
    • Plant taxonomists use morphological form to classify and describe species because the biological species concept is not always applicable to plants.
    • Plant morphology, however, can be influenced by environmental conditions (e.g., light levels, touch) and is constantly evolving, making it challenging to rely solely on morphology for classification.

    Evolutionary Relationships of Flowering Plants

    • Phenetic classification: Uses many characters, emphasizing conserved characteristics (those that do not vary with environmental conditions) to classify plants, such as floral characters like inflorescence types, flower structure, and fruit and seed types.
    • Phylogenetic classification: Focuses on evolutionary relationships of plants, which is made more readily available through advances in molecular biology.
    • Hooker-Bessey-Cronquist system: Accepted today, it recognizes between 300 and 350 flowering plant families.
    • This system hypothesizes that evolution led to a reduction in floral parts, fusion of petals, development of irregular corollas, and separation of sexes in plants.

    Flowering Plants: Monocots and Eudicots

    • Monocots have a single cotyledon, while eudicots have two cotyledons.
    • Several morphological features distinguish them:
      • Monocots: Herbaceous, never woody; have floral parts in multiples of 3, linear leaves with parallel veins, and a short-lived primary root with a fibrous root system.
      • Eudicots: Herbaceous or woody, floral parts in multiples of 4 or 5, broad leaves with net veins, and a persistent primary root that forms a taproot.
    • Recent genetic investigations have revealed that the division of flowering plants into monocots and eudicots is too simplistic, as a third group, known as magnoliid Angiosperms, evolved prior to the divergence of these other two groups.

    Origins of Agriculture

    • Agriculture is the cultivation of land for planting crops.
    • The earliest evidence of agriculture dates back 5,000 to 7,000 years ago and originated independently in Asia Minor, China-Southeast Asia, and the Americas.
    • The Fertile Crescent region of Asia Minor (present-day Iraq, Iran, and eastern Turkey) is considered the earliest site for agricultural development.
    • Theories explaining the transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural existence:
      • Neolithic Revolution (Childe, 1928): Crowded encampments around watering holes during dry periods favored the growth of wild grass species, leading to domestication.
      • Favorable Habitats (Sauer, 1952): Human populations first settled in favorable habitats, then moved to less optimal areas as population increased, leading to plant domestication.
      • Weed Precursor (Anderson, 1952): Plant hybridization in disturbed habitats like dump heaps resulted in new and useful food plants.
      • Applied Botanists (Binford & Flannery, 1960s): Early gatherers were skilled in cultivating plants based on their needs.

    Centers of Agricultural Origin

    • Asia Minor (Near East):
      • Archaeological evidence from Jarmo, Iraq, suggests:
        • Wild grains were collected 10,000 years ago.
        • Wheat became a major crop by 8,750 years ago, alongside barley, goats, sheep, and later pigs.
        • Peas, lentils, vetch, grapes, olives, dates, pears, and cherries were domesticated over the next century.
        • Around 7,000 years ago, human populations migrated to the Tigris-Euphrates valleys, leading to the development of sophisticated urban civilizations by 6,000 years ago.
    • Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphrates valleys):
      • Sophisticated agricultural practices emerged by 2,500 years ago.
    • Americas:
      • Aztec (Mexico): Intensive irrigation agriculture.
      • Mayan (Central America): Selection of corn and bean cultivars.
      • Inca (Andes, South America): Potato domestication and irrigation systems.

    Selection Pressures on Plants

    • Plant characteristics are influenced by the genome and evolve through natural selection.
    • Domestication alters the phenotypic characteristics of wild plants.
    • The "planting-harvesting link" led to the selection of agriculturally beneficial cultivars.
    • Selection pressures favored the following characteristics in cereal crops:
      • Uniform seed maturation: Favoring simultaneous seed maturation.
      • Compression of tillering: Eliminating the production of axillary shoots (tillers) with different maturation times.
      • Loss of seed appendages: Eliminating inedible appendages that fall off before harvest.
      • Loss of germination inhibitors: Promoting simultaneous seed germination.
      • Increase in number of florets: More florets lead to more seeds.
      • Reduction in day-length sensitivity: Developing cultivars that are less sensitive to day length, which triggers seed production.

    Plant Breeding: Genetic Modification

    • Green Revolution: A direct outcome of advancements in plant breeding, soil fertility, pest control, and mechanization.
    • Genetic Crossing and Back-crossing: Standard methods for developing new cultivars and maintaining hybrid vigor, requiring intensive labor and patience.
    • Artificial Doubling of Chromosome Number: Using colchicine to induce polyploidy (doubling of chromosomes), often resulting in larger, robust plants, called "monster plants."
    • Genetic Mutation: Spontaneous or induced mutations can be propagated to create new varieties, like the development of Brussels sprouts from cabbage.
    • Genetic Engineering (GE): Adding genetic information from another organism into a crop plant.
      • GE crops have become increasingly common, offering resistance to pests, pathogens, and herbicides.
      • Growing consumer concerns over potential risks to ecosystems, consumer health, and the cost of seeds.

    Genetic Diversity

    • The availability of a diverse genetic pool is crucial for developing new crop varieties, crops, and medicines.
    • Loss of older, less productive plant varieties is a concern, as these may hold valuable genetic material.
    • The destruction of natural ecosystems, particularly tropical rain forests, leads to a loss of vital genetic resources.

    Early History of Plants and People

    • Domestication of plants began approximately 10,000 years ago.
    • Prior to domestication, humans were hunter-gatherers and nomadic.
    • Hunter-gatherers were expert botanists, with deep knowledge of plants and their cycles.
    • Agriculture led to more reliable food sources, larger populations, and greater control over the environment.
    • Early settlements with access to resources like estuaries spurred agriculture development.

    Origins of Agriculture

    • Ethnobotanists examine the origins and development of agriculture.
    • Key questions include:
      • Where were the centers of agriculture?
      • What factors led to the development of agriculture?
      • How did dependence on agriculture evolve?
      • How did crop plants change over time?
      • How did societies and cultures change with agriculture?

    Agriculture in Europe

    • Agricultural practices spread from Asia Minor to Europe around 6,000 years ago.
    • The cooler European climate led to a shift in cereal crops from wheat and barley to rye and oats.
    • Forest conversion to cropland was evident in Denmark by 6,000 years ago.
    • Evidence of cereal grinding equipment in Egypt dates back 14,000 years ago, but its use for domesticated or wild cereals is debated.
    • Important African crops include sorghum, millet, and yams, with evidence of agriculture in the Sahara region by 6,000 years ago.

    Central China (Far East)

    • The earliest evidence of agriculture in central China is from the Yang-Chao site near the Yellow River, dating back about 6,000 years.
    • This region had irrigated rice fields, large villages, and sophisticated social structures.
    • While agriculture existed in other parts of eastern Asia, preservation challenges in tropical climates limit knowledge.
    • Spirit Cave in Thailand shows evidence of bean and pea cultivation 9,000 years ago and rice cultivation 7,000 years ago.

    Central America

    • Central Mexico and Peru had drier climates, leading to better preservation of archeological material from the early stages of agriculture.
    • Agriculture developed in both central Mexico and Peru by 7,500 years ago, although they developed differently.
    • Tehuacan, Mexico experienced slower agricultural development than Jarmo, Iraq. This slower process is called incipient cultivation.
    • Development at Tehuacan:
      • 9,000-7,000 years ago: Mostly hunter-gatherer.
      • 7,000 years ago: 15% cultivation with crops like corn, squash, peppers, amaranth, and avocado.
      • 5,500 years ago: About 30% cultivation.
      • 3,500 years ago: Fully agricultural with crops like hybrid corn, tomato, squash, beans, peppers, cotton, many fruits. Domestication of dogs.
      • 2,500 years ago: Irrigation was introduced and turkeys were domesticated.
    • Evidence of agricultural development exists in wetter areas of Central and South America, but preservation is poor.
    • Sophisticated agricultural practices by 2,500 years ago:
      • Aztec (Mexico): Intensive irrigation agriculture.
      • Mayan (Central America): Selection of corn and beans.
      • Inca (Andes, South America): Potato domestication, irrigation systems.

    Selection Pressures on Plants

    • Human activities often impact plant characteristics - evolution through natural selection.
    • The "planting-harvesting link" led to the selection of cultivars favored for agriculture.
    • In the wild, plants produce seeds over extended periods, ensuring some seeds survive under favorable conditions.
    • Genotype 2, with simultaneous seed maturity, was favored under human selection, as more of its seeds would be harvested.
    • Similar selection pressures favored characteristics like:
      • Uniform seed maturation
      • Compression of tillering
      • Loss of seed appendages
      • Loss of germination inhibitors
      • Increase in number of florets
      • Reduction in day-length sensitivity
      • Loss of shattering
      • Increase in food reserves (starch)
    • Selection also impacted weeds:
      • Some weeds can germinate, shed seeds before harvest, and maintain their populations.
      • Some weeds mimic crop plants, leading to their inclusion in harvests.
      • Rye is thought to have evolved as a weed of early European wheat fields.

    Geographic Origin and Spread of Plants

    • Many food plants had limited global distributions in their origins.
    • Introduction of new crops dramatically changed both agriculture and diets.
    • Examples include:
      • Potatoes from South America to Europe
      • Tomato and chili pepper from South America to Europe and Asia
      • Sugar cane from southeast Asia to the Caribbean
    • Europe:
      • Romans introduced peas, oats, rye, and herbs into northern Europe.
      • Arabic colonization of Spain brought rice, sugar cane, sorghum, and citrus fruits.
      • European conquest of the Americas introduced corn and potatoes to Europe.
      • Exploration of eastern Asia introduced rhubarb, almond, apricot, peach, coffee, black pepper, and other Asian species.
    • Asia:
      • Asia is home to many indigenous food plants, notably rice.

    Plant Breeding: Genetic Modification

    • The "Green Revolution" resulted from advancements in crop breeding, soil fertility, pest/pathogen control, and farm mechanization.
    • Crop breeding methods:
      • Genetic Crossing and Back-crossing: Standard method for developing new cultivars and maintaining hybrid vigor.
      • Artificial Doubling of Chromosome Number: Colchicine is used to induce polyploidy, often resulting in larger, more robust plants.
      • Genetic Mutation: Spontaneous or induced mutations can lead to new traits.
      • Cloning: Plants can be cloned by grafting, root/shoot cuttings, and tissue culture.

    Triticale: A Success Story

    University of Manitoba researchers successfully crossed wheat and rye to create triticale, combining winter resistance of rye with wheat's high yields. This hybrid was developed with tissue culture and artificial chromosome doubling.

    Plant Domestication Timeline

    • Plant domestication began approximately 10,000 years ago.
    • By 5,000-7,000 years ago, agriculture was widespread in Asia Minor, China-Southeast Asia, and the Americas.

    Asia Minor

    • Wild grain collection began 10,000 years ago.
    • Wheat and barley cultivation, along with the domestication of goats, sheep, pigs, and other plants occurred 8,750 years ago.
    • Early urbanization in the Tigris-Euphrates valleys began 7,000 years ago.
    • Sophisticated urban civilizations developed 6,000 years ago.
    • Agriculture from Asia Minor spread to the Balkans 6,000 years ago, with a shift to rye and oats in Europe.
    • Grinding equipment was developed in Egypt 14,000 years ago.
    • Agriculture was established in the Sahara 6,000 years ago.

    Early Agriculture in China and Thailand

    • Bean and pea cultivation occurred in Thailand 9,000 years ago.
    • Rice cultivation began 7,000 years ago in Thailand.
    • A developed agrarian society emerged at the Yang-Chao site near the Yellow River in China 6,000 years ago.

    Early Agriculture in Central Mexico and Peru

    • Hunter-gatherer societies predominated between 9,000 and 7,000 years ago.
    • 15% cultivation occurred 7,000 years ago, with major crops including corn (maize), squash, peppers, amaranth, and avocado.
    • Cultivation increased to 30% by 5,500 years ago.
    • Full agricultural practices were established by 3,500 years ago, featuring hybrid corn, tomato, squash, beans, peppers, cotton, various fruits, and dog domestication.
    • Irrigation was introduced, turkeys were domesticated, and crop seeds were traded 2,500 years ago.

    Sophisticated Agricultural Practices

    • Aztec civilization in Mexico practiced intensive irrigation agriculture.
    • The Mayan civilization in Central America focused on selecting corn and bean cultivars.
    • The Inca civilization in the Andes, South America, domesticated potatoes and implemented irrigation systems.

    Crop Introductions by Region and Time Period

    Europe

    • Romans: Introduced peas, oats, rye, and herbs.
    • Arabic Colonization of Spain: Introduced rice, sugar cane, sorghum, and citrus fruits.
    • European Conquest of the Americas:
      • Corn (maize) spread to Spain, Portugal, and Italy in the 1600s.
      • Potatoes were introduced to Spain and England in the 1600s and to Russia and central Europe in the 1700s.
      • Rhubarb, almond, apricot, peach, coffee, and black pepper were introduced from Eastern Asia during explorations in 1497.

    Asia

    • Indigenous: Rice
    • Americas: Introduced corn (maize), papaya, pineapple, potato, sweet potato, tapioca (cassava), chili pepper.
    • North-East Africa: Introduced coffee.

    Africa

    • Indigenous: Coffee, sorghum, millet, yam, cowpeas, watermelon, sesame, palm oil.
    • Asia: Introduced coconut, rice, bananas.
    • Near East: Introduced mango, eggplant.
    • Americas: Introduced cassava, sweet potatoes, corn (maize), beans.

    Americas

    • Indigenous to Central and South America: Corn, cassava, potato, sweet potato, peanuts, tomato, chili peppers, beans.
    • Spanish and English Colonists: Introduced sugar cane, bananas, rice, citrus fruits, breadfruit, and coffee.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Biol 1300 Unit 2: Plant Domestication by Region (PDF)
    Plant Classification - Biol 1300 Unit 1 PDF
    Early History Of Plants And People PDF

    Description

    Explore the fascinating history and cultivation of Teff, an ancient grain native to the Horn of Africa. This quiz covers Teff's origins, its significance in Ethiopian culture, and its uses in traditional and modern cuisine. Test your knowledge about this incredible staple crop!

    More Like This

    The Teff Challenge
    10 questions

    The Teff Challenge

    UnbiasedChrysoprase2044 avatar
    UnbiasedChrysoprase2044
    Teff Plant Overview and History
    171 questions

    Teff Plant Overview and History

    PeacefulBlueLaceAgate avatar
    PeacefulBlueLaceAgate
    Assignment 1 - Teff (*Eragrostis tef*)
    85 questions

    Assignment 1 - Teff (*Eragrostis tef*)

    PeacefulBlueLaceAgate avatar
    PeacefulBlueLaceAgate
    Teff: The Grain of Ethiopia
    39 questions

    Teff: The Grain of Ethiopia

    PeacefulBlueLaceAgate avatar
    PeacefulBlueLaceAgate
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser