What is the Difference Between Crop and Plant?

The main difference between a crop and a plant lies in their purpose and cultivation. Here are the key distinctions between the two:

1. Purpose: Crops are plants that are grown commercially for economic benefits, such as food, feedstock, and industrial production. Plants, on the other hand, are found naturally in the environment and can be either domesticated or wild.
2. Cultivation: Crops are deliberately planted by farmers and grown in large quantities. They require intense care and are cultivated in agricultural fields. In contrast, plants grow naturally without human intervention.
3. Domestication: All crops are domesticated plants, while plants can be either domesticated or wild.
4. Examples: Examples of crops include wheat, rice, soybeans, millets, and maize. Examples of plants include trees, shrubs, flowers, and ferns.

In summary, a crop is a cultivated plant grown for economic benefits, while a plant is a photoautotrophic eukaryotic organism that belongs to the kingdom Plantae. Not all plants are crops, but all crops are plants.

Comparative Table: Crop vs Plant

The table below highlights the differences between crops and plants:

In summary, all crops are plants, but not all plants are crops. Crops are cultivated and harvested for human use and grown commercially on a large scale, while plants are found naturally in the environment and can be either domesticated or wild.