Sugarcane

Abstract

Sugarcane is a tropical grass of the Poacea family and Saccharum genus and comprises several species although plants presently cultivated are mostly hybrids derived from S. officinarum, S. spontaneum, S. robustum, S. sinnensis, and S. barberi (Figueiredo 2008). Sugarcane is originated from Asia; the exact center of origin is unknown, but evidence points to Polynesia, New Guinea, India, China, Fiji Islands, and Tahiti. There are reports that S. officinarum was known in 6000 BC in India (Daniels et al. 1975). Sugarcane was already cultivated in the Middle East before the Christian era. Later the Arabs introduced the plant in Europe and from there it spread to America and parts of Africa in the early fifteenth century with the start of colonization (Figueiredo 2008).