AGRI 31 2ND LEARNING GUIDE

• Plant morphology or phytomorphology is the study of the physical form and external structure of plants.
• Crops are characterized based on morphological traits including color, shape, size, texture, and architecture of the roots, stem, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, and modified/specialized plant.
• Morphological characterization is important in varietal selection for crop production and crop breeding. Farmers have their own basis and preference for variety selection which could be directly or indirectly related to economic yield and crop field performance. During selection, farmers are particular on the morphological traits associated

  to crop adaptability, marketability, and productivity.
• morphological characterization is one of the fundamental

  activities in germplasm conservation and management. Knowing the distinct qualitative and quantitative visual traits particularly of the plant part of economic importance is important in determining the extent of genetic variability between and among accessions or individuals.
• During selection, farmers are particular on the morphological traits associated to crop adaptability, marketability, and productivity.
• Adaptability – plant characters associated with survival, perpetuation of species, and responses to environment
• Marketability – plant characters associated with consumer acceptability
• Productivity – plant characters which contribute to higher yield
• Roots mainly function for water absorption and anchorage while stems for structural support and conduction of water, food and nutrients.
• Roots mainly function for water absorption and anchorage while stems for structural support and conduction of water, food and nutrients.
• flowers and fruits are for sexual reproduction
• Vetiver (Root)

  
  

  Extensive fibrous root system: anchorage, prevention of soil erosion

  
  

  Association: Adaptability
• Vetiver (Root)

  
  

  Extensive fibrous root system: source of essential oil

  
  

  Association: Marketability and Productivity
• Corn (Root)

  Brace/adventitious roots: anchorage, mechanical support against lodging

  Association: Adaptability
• Carrot (Root)

  Enlarged tap root: anchorage, food and water storage,

  Association: Adaptability, Productivity, and Marketability
• Peanut (Root)

  Root nodules with viable Rhizobium: nitrogen fixation

  Association: Adaptability and Productivity
• Cassava (Root)

  Large tuberous roots: anchorage, food and water storage

  Association: Adaptability, Productivity, and Marketability
• Sesbania (Stem)

  Dense stem nodules: nitrogen fixation

  Association: Productivity
• Coffee (Stem)

  Short internodes: for more coffee berries which grow from each node

  Association: Productivity
• Okra (Stem)

  Dense trichomes: mechanical protection against intense heat + insect pest

  Association: Adaptability
• Potato (Stem)

  Large tuberous stem: food and water storage + vegetative propagule

  Association: Adaptability, Productivity, and Marketability
• Bermuda grass (Stem)

  Numerous short runners/stolons: rapid regeneration rate

  Association: Adaptability, Productivity, and Marketability
• Rice (Stem)

  Short internodes = short stature: lodging tolerance

  Association: Adaptability
• Rice (Stem)

  Numerous productive tillers: for higher grain yield

  Association: Productivity
• Ginger (Stem)

  Rhizomatous underground stem: food and water storage + vegetative propagule

  Association: Adaptability, Productivity, and Marketability
• Sugarcane (Stem)

  Enlarge stalk (cane): food storage + higher yield

  Association: Adaptability, Productivity, and Marketability
• Sugarcane (Stem)

  Shorter internodes: source of vegetative propagule

  Association: Adaptability
• Gabi (Leaf)

  Waxiness leaf lamina and petiole: protection against intense heat and herbivores

  Association: Adaptability and Productivity
• Gabi (Leaf)

  
  

  Big leaf lamina: length: higher market value for culinary purposes

  
  

  Association: Adaptability, Productivity, and Marketability
• Onion (Leaf)

  Large leaf scales/bulb: food storage + vegetative propagule + culinary uses

  Association: Adaptability, Productivity, and Marketability
• Sabila (Leaf)

  Thick succulent leaves: for food and water storage

  Association: Adaptability, Productivity, and Marketability
• Sabila (Leaf)

  Waxy + thorny leaves: protection against intense heat and herbivores

  Association: Adaptability and Marketability
• Mussaenda (Leaf)

  Colorful bracts/petaloid of varying sizes and shapes: for insect pollination + ornamental purposes

  Association: Adaptability and Marketability
• Abaca (Leaf)

  Long/Large, thick, pseudostem/leaf sheath: industrial use

  Association: Adaptability, Productivity, and Marketability
• Banana (Leaf)

  Large waxy leaf lamina: protection against intense heat and herbivores

  Association: Adaptability and Productivity
• Anthurium (Leaf)

  Colorful spathe of varying sizes and shapes + long petiole: for insect pollination + ornamental purposes

  Association: Adaptability and Marketability
• Anthurium (Leaf)

  Waxy spathe + long petiole: for longer vase life

  Association: Adaptability and Marketability
• Rose (Flowers)

  Overlapping colorful petals: for aesthetics

  Association: Marketability
• Rose (Flowers)

  “dead trichomes” on petals: for protection

  Association: Adaptability
• Vanda (Flowers)

  Overlapping colorful petals and sepals: for insect pollination + aesthetics

  Association: Adaptability and Marketability