Sugarcane

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is a tall perennial grass cultivated for its high-sucrose juice. The most important cultivated species is Saccharum officinarum, with hybrids and related species contributing to breeding programs. Native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia and New Guinea, sugarcane is now grown in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with production concentrated in countries with warm, frost-free climates.

Cultivation is optimized by warm temperatures, abundant rainfall or irrigation, long daylength, and fertile, well-drained soils. It thrives in tropical lowlands but is grown up to several hundred meters in some areas. Cane is typically propagated vegetatively from setts (sections of stem with buds). Fields are often ratooned after harvest, allowing multiple subsequent crops from a single planting. Harvesting is usually annual or multi-year depending on climate and cultivar performance. Nutrient management, irrigation, and pest and disease control are important factors in yield and sucrose content.

Processing begins after harvest: cane is milled to extract juice, which is clarified and evaporated and crystallized to sugar. Byproducts include molasses, which can be used for fermentation or feed, and bagasse, the fibrous residue used as fuel or for paper and textiles. Ethanol can be produced from juice, molasses, or syrup, providing an additional energy and industrial use.

Global significance: sugarcane accounts for the majority of the world's sugar, with Brazil and India among the largest producers, followed by China, Thailand, Pakistan, Mexico, and several other tropical and subtropical countries. Environmental considerations include water use, land-use change, and soil and biodiversity impacts, as well as sustainability efforts through improved varieties and agricultural practices.