Sugarcane

Growth Habit: Perennial

Climate Requirements: Requires warm tropical to subtropical climates with high humidity.

Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained loamy or clayey soils with a pH of 5.0–8.5.

Water Requirements: High water requirements; requires regular irrigation.

Planting Instructions: Planted using stem cuttings, spaced 1.2–1.5 meters apart in furrows.

Harvesting Information: Harvested after 10–14 months when sugar content is at its peak.

Plant Characteristics: Sugarcane is a tall, perennial grass with thick, jointed stalks rich in sucrose.

Nutrient Content: Rich in carbohydrates and natural sugars, with trace minerals.

Health Benefits: Provides quick energy, aids digestion, and contains antioxidants.

Yield Information: Average yield is around 60–80 tons per hectare.

Culinary Uses: Used for making sugar, jaggery, and beverages like cane juice and rum.

Industrial Uses: Used in bioethanol production, paper manufacturing, and livestock feed.

Native Range: Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Current Distribution: Grown in Brazil, India, China, and tropical regions worldwide.

Common Pests: Sugarcane borer, termites, and white grubs.

Diseases: Red rot, smut, and mosaic virus.

IPM Practices: Use resistant varieties, biological pest control, and crop rotation.

Market Value: $150.75