The Convergent Evolution of Annual Seed Crops in Agriculture

TLDR: It is considered that the yield potential of annual crop species increase at a faster rate than with empirical selection for yield if suitable ideotypes are identified.

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter considers that the yield potential of annual crop species increase at a faster rate than with empirical selection for yield if suitable ideotypes are identified. A considerable list of common features and practices that influence yield in all annual seed crops is identified, and it is possible to design a basic ideotype for all these crops, involving principles of crop physiology and associated agronomic practices equally applicable to any annual seed crop. A sharp distinction is drawn between the ecology of annual field crops grown for their seed and that of most horticultural crops. Horticultural plants are cultivated for their fruits, unripe seeds, roots, stems, or leaves. The chapter recognizes several categories within Darwin's general processes of selection by man and natural selection. These are discussed in relation to annual seed crops. It is evident that all crops have been subject to many similar selective and evolutionary processes during domestication. They have become adapted to both the natural environment of the region and the manmade environment of local cultural methods. Crop yield is a man-made concept. It does not necessarily relate to natural selection or to crop evolution, and it is expressed by the nonbiological criterion of weight of product per unit area. The harvest in some crops is a vegetative part whereas in others it is a reproductive organ.