Sugarcane is a perennial grass grown for its stem which is primarily used to produce sucrose.

Sugarcane can also be referred as Noble Cane and originates from New Guinea.

Out of the total sugar produced in the world 60 per cent is obtained from Sugarcane.

Asia is the largest producer of sugar and most of the sugar in Asia is produced from Sugarcane.

The global production of raw sugar is 112mt. India stands first in terms of area (3.93 mha) and production (167 mt).

The major Sugarcane growing areas are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Liliopsida
• Order: Cyperales
• Family: Poaceae
• Genus: Saccharum
• Species: officinarum

• Sugarcane is used for the preparation of juice and making of jaggery.
• Immature green tops are used as fodder.
• Bagasse is used as fuel and for making paper.
• Molasses is used for preparing alcohol and other chemicals.
• Pressmud cake is used as manure.
• The stubbles are used as fuel or for making compost.

Sugarcane is a tropical crop that requires a warm and humid climate for growth while cool, sunny and dry climate for ripening.

The temperature requirement is 20˚C to 26˚C.

It requires more than 1,375 mm annual rainfall when grown as a rain-fed crop.

Rainfall deficiency produces a fibrous cane, whereas too heavy rainfall reduces sugar content.

Sugarcane can be grown on a wide range of soils.

It grows best on well drained, fertile medium to heavy soils.

Soils rich in organic matter and leveled are most suitable for Sugarcane cultivation

• The major challenges involve Biotic and Abiotic causes.
• Biotic Causes:
  • Major Pests: Top Shoot Borer, Stem Borer, Mealy Bugs, Grasshoppers and Termites.
  • Major Diseases: White Smut, Red Rot, Rust, Twisted Top and Grassy Shoot.
• Abiotic Causes:
  • : Sunburn
  • Leaf scorch
  • Die-back
  • Chlorosis
  • Mottling