The development of sugarcane cultivation

Publication date: 11/12/2017
Extent: 18 pages

Contributions by: Louis Jean Claude Autrey, International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT), Mauritius; Salem Saumtally and Asha Dookun-Saumtally, Mauritius Sugarcane Industry Research Institute (MSIRI), Mauritius

Chapter synopsis: Sugarcane is considered one of the most efficient plants on the planet given its capacity to transform solar energy into chemical energy with high carbon fixation rates. It has traditionally been exploited for sucrose production, but has now also gained importance for energy and ethanol production from bagasse and molasses, two major co-products from sugar processing. This chapter provides an overview of the history of sugarcane and the variety of species, as well as a description of the features of the plant. The chapter introduces breeding, agronomic practices in sugarcane and milling. Finally, the chapter examines types of sugarcane cultivated today and looks ahead to future research and development in this area, and provides suggestions for further reading on this subject.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2017.0035.01