Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1.1
Estimated time of domestication and centre of origin of major crop species. It should
be noted that many crop species have had more than one suggested origin and that archaeological
information is continually being updated. This table is therefore a simplification of an incompletely
understood and complex picture.
Crop
Time of
Possible region
domestication
of origin
(years)
Cereals
Maize,
Zea Mays
7000
Mexico, Central America
Rice,
Oryza sativa
4500
Thailand, Southern China
Wheat,
Triticum
spp.
8500
Syria, Jordan, Israel, Iraq
Barley,
Hordeum vulgare
9000
Syria, Jordan, Israel, Iraq
Sorghum,
Sorgum bicolour
8000
Equatorial Africa
Oilseeds
Soybean,
Glycine max
2000
Northern China
Oil palm,
Elaeis guineensis
9000
Central Africa
Coconut palm,
Cocos nucifera
100
Southern Asia
Rapeseed,
Brassica napus
500
Mediterranean Europe
Sunflower,
Helianthus
3000
Western United States
Pulses
Beans,
Phaseolus
spp.
7000
Central America, Mexico
Lentil,
Lens culinaris
7000
Syria, Jordan, Israel, Iraq
Peas,
Pisum sativum
9000
Syria, Jordan, Israel, Iraq
Root crops
Potato,
Solanum tuberosum
7000
Peru
Cassava,
Manihot esculenta
5000
Brazil, Mexico
Sweet potato,
Ipimiea batatas
6000
South Central America
Sugar beet,
Beta vulgaris
300
Mediterranean Europe
Vegetables
Tomato,
Lycopersico esculentum
3000
Western South America
Cabbage,
Brassica oleracea
3000
Mediterranean Europe
Onion,
Allium
4500
Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan
Fruit
Orange,
Citrus sinesis
9000
South-eastern Asia
Apple,
Malus
spp.
3000
Asia Minor, Central Asia
Grape,
Vitaceae
spp.
7000
Eastern Asia
Banana,
Musa aceminata, M. balbisiana
4500
South-east Asia
Others
Cotton,
Gossypium
4500
Central America, Brazil
Coffee,
Coffea
spp.
500
West Ethiopia
Rubber,
Hevea brasiliensis
200
Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay
Alfalfa,
Medicago sativa
4000
Iran, Northern Pakistan
(including the countries of Turkey, Syria, Israel, Iran
and Iraq). Domestication of crops in this region sur-
rounding the
Tigris River
, began before 6000-7000
BC
.
Two of the worlds leading cereal crops, einkorn and
emmer wheat, and barley have their centre of origin in
this region. In addition, archeological remains of onion,
peas, and lentil, dating back to over 7000 years have all
been found within the Fertile Crescent. In the Amer-
icas, similar or slightly later, dates of cultivation have
been shown for beans and maize in central Mexico and
