The Evolutionary Significance of Sugar Accumulation in Saccharum

Abstract

Sugar levels in the various species of the Saccharum complex suggest an evolutionary increase in sugar content. Under suitable ecological conditions, survival through sucker growth may be dependent on rapid mobilization of stored carbohydrate. Selection pressure for sucrose storage would then oocur if sucrose was more readily remobilized than other storage carbohydrates. It is suggested that this ecological situation occurred in New Guinea, and that natural and not human selection lead to the evolution of S. oJJicinarum.