Factors Affecting Ideotype

Factors Affecting Ideotype

There are several factors which affect development of ideal plant type. Ideotype differs based on crop species, cultivation practises, socio-economic condition of farmers and economic use of plant parts. These are briefly discussed below:

1. Crop Species:

Ideotype differs from crop to crop. The Ideotype of monocots significantly differs from those of dicots. In monocots, tillering is more important whereas in dicots branching is one of the important features of Ideotype.

2. Cultivation:

The Ideotype also differs with regards to crop cultivation. The features of irrigated crop differ from that of rainfed crop. The rainfed crop needs drought resistance fewer and smaller leaves to reduce water loss through transpiration. In dicots, interminate types are required for rainfed for rainfed condition; because interminate type can produce another flush of flowers in the first flush is affected by drought conditions.

3. Socio-economic Condition of Farmers:

Socio-economic condition of farmers also determines crop Ideotype. For example, dwarf Sorghum is deal for mechanical harvesting in USA, but it is not suitable for the farmers of Africa where the stalks are used for fuel or hut construction.

4. Economic Use:

The Ideotype also differs according to the economic use of the crop. For example, dwarf types are useful in sorghum and pearl millet when the crop is grown for grain purpose. But when these crops are grown for fodder purpose. Tall stature is desirable one. Moreover, less leafy types are desirable for grain purpose and more leafy genotypes for fodder purpose. The larger leaves are also desirable in case of fodder crop.