La sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) is a perennial grass large in size whose stem stores high concentrations of saccharose. It is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for food, energy and industrial purposes, and forms the basis of a powerful value chain that includes sugar, ethanol, molasses, bagasse, wax, and livestock fodder. Below is a comprehensive and up-to-date technical and practical guide covering taxonomy, morphology, cultivation, plant health, uses, and properties.
Taxonomy, origin and geographical distribution
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Plant · Division: Magnoliophyta · Class: liliopsid · Subclass: Commelinidae · Order: poales · Family: poaceae · Subfamily: Panicoideae · Tribe: Andropogoneae · Gender: saccharum · Species: S. officinarum.
Synonymy: Arundo saccharifera, Saccharum atrorubens, Saccharum fragile, Saccharum glabrum, Saccharum hybridum, Saccharum infirmum, Saccharum luzonicum, Saccharum monandrum, Saccharum occidentale, Saccharum officinale, Saccharum officinarum there. atrorubens, var. brevipedicellatum, var. fragile, var. giganteum, var. Glabra, var. Jamaican, var. litteratum, litteratum-breve, luridum, var. luteum-durum, luzonicum, var. obscurum, var. Otaheitense, var. purpureum, var. rubicundum, var. rubrum-altum, var. rubrum-humile, Tahitian, var. violaceum, Saccharum rubicundum, Saccharum spontaneum subsp. luzonicum, Saccharum violaceum.
Origin and evolution: Primary domestication is located in New Guinea and areas of Southeast Asia, where local populations selected high-sugar types from S. robustum and later hybridized with S.spontaneum. Today, most commercial cultivars are complex hybrids that integrate germplasm of S. officinarum, S.spontaneum, S. sinense y S. barberi.
Distribution: It is grown in More than 90 countries of zones tropical and subtropicalA majority of the world's sugar comes from cane, and the main producers cover large tropical and subtropical economies. The global planted area totals tens of thousands of hectares. million hectares, with yields and technologies varying by region.
Morphology
Habit and stem: Plant perennial which way clumps from a network of rhizomesThe stems are robust, fibrous, articulated by nodes and internodes, and can reach between 3 year(s) and 7 m depending on the environment and management. In the internodes accumulates saccharose in the parenchyma. The color of the stem varies between Verde, pinkish o purple depending on variety.
Leaves: Long, linear y lanceolate, of tonality Verde a bluish green, with venation totally different race y midrib prominent. Finely serrated margins. In many varieties they measure 30-60 cm in length and about 5 cm wide, with dense foliage protecting the stems.
Inflorescence and flowering: It can produce a terminal panicle of up to 60 cm, feathery, with spikelets small (~ 3 mm) wrapped in silky hairs. Flowering is induced by signals from photoperiod, temperature, edad y nutritional conditionIn sugar agriculture, harvesting is usually done before flowering to avoid the reduction of sucrose content.
Root: Vigorous and widely branched adventitious root system, arising from the basal nodes and rhizomes. Ensures anchoring and deep exploration of the soil profile.
Fruit: Dry caryopsis, with a single seed. In commercial production, botanical seed is not sought, but propagation is used. vegetative.
Edaphoclimatic requirements
Temperature: Requires climate warm and a long frost-free season. The crop does not tolerate temperatures below 0 °C without damage, especially to young shoots and leaves. Germination and vegetative growth are most efficient at temperatures temperate-warm.
Humidity and radiation: Prefers environments with RH moderate to high for rapid growth. The solar radiation Abundant sunlight is key; the greater the sunlight, the greater photosynthetic efficiency y accumulation of sugars.
WaterTypical water needs between 1200-1500 mm/year, with an adequate distribution during the vegetative period. For promote maturation and the Brix of the stems, irrigation is reduced weeks before harvest. It is sensitive to ponding prolonged; good performance is required sewer system.
Soil and pH: Prefers soils sandy loam and well aerated, although it is rustic and adapts to various textures. It performs best with a pH between 4 and 7In calcareous soils there may be iron chlorosis. Benefit from deep profiles (> 60 cm).
Other stresses: Variable tolerance to salinity light already drought Moderate, depending on the variety. Adverse abiotic factors (temperature, salts, nutritional deficiencies, drought or post-harvest delays) can reduce the sucrose yield.
Propagation and plant material
Vegetative propagation: It is done with stem cuttings called “seed” or “seed canes”. They are placed in the furrows and cut to ~ 50 cm, with 3-4 yolks viable. It is crucial to use healthy material, free of pests and pathogens, and disinfect tools to prevent the spread of bacteria and fungi.
Varietal selection: : Varieties with are sought high productivity, resistance to pests and diseases, good adaptability, tall and stable sucrose content, ease of extraction, under lodging y low flowering. Examples cited in regional usage include POJ28-78, POJ27-14, CP57-603, PR61-632, V71-51, CC84-75, CC86-45, CC85-47, CC85-92, CC85-23 y CC85-57.
Implantation: It is advisable to direct the buds towards the sides of the furrow, ensuring good soil-seed contact with adequate moisture, and a depth that protects the shoots but without hindering emergence. Density and spacing depend on variety, soil y mechanization.
Nutritional management and fertilization
Nutritional requirement: The cane extracts high amounts of nutrients from the soil in a short time, so a fertilization plan well designed according to soil analysis and performance goals.
General recommendations: For reference, in fondo They are applied in the order of 100 kg/ha of P2O5, 250 kg/ha of K2O y 100 kg/ha of N. In cover, between 200-300 kg/ha of N divided into 2-3 applications during the phase of greatest growth. Contributions of Ca (~47 kg/ha), Mg (~47 kg/ha) and S (~60 kg/ha).
Organic material: The incorporation of plant residues and organic amendments improve the Meeting structure from the ground, the Water retention, soil biota and nutrient availability.
Micronutrients: In calcareous or highly leached soils, monitor Fe, Zn y BEarly detection of foliar deficiencies allows for timely corrections.
Harvesting and post-harvest
Harvest season: It is programmed when the stems reach technological maturity (optimal Brix and purity) and before full flowering. Reducing pre-harvest irrigation can promote sugar concentration.
Modalities: The harvest can be manual o mechanized, a Verde or after the Quema. Burning, although it speeds up cutting by removing dry leaves and impurities, entails environmental impact (emissions, loss of soil biota and organic matter) and can affect the sugar quality due to high temperatures. Therefore, harvesting is encouraged in green, optimizing field cleaning and the use of waste.
manual cutting: Can be conventional (cut at the base and topping) or cleansed (removing leaves before budding). The objective is to reduce the Impureza and preserve the integrity of the stem.
Mechanized harvestCombine harvesters emerge, they cut at ground level, they chop up the reeds, separate impurities and leave the material ready for transport. Success requires calibration of equipment, good alignment of furrows and management of stubble.
Plagues and diseases
Key pests
Boring worm (Diatraea saccharalis): The larva drills leaves, pods and finally stems, where it opens galleries along the internode. Its damage reduces Brix, purity and can cause death of young canes. Management includes monitoring, destruction of stubble infested crops and, where appropriate, biological control and harvest date adjustments. To learn more about their management, you can consult sugarcane diseases.
Minor driller (Elasmopalpus lignosellus): The larva drills outbreaks and shoots, which can cause their deathCultural control may include temporary flooding of furrows and moisture management during implantation.
Giant borer or screwworm (Castnia licus): Performs galleries extensive at the base and underground portion of the stem, facilitating the entry of pathogens. Integrated management hygiene field and removal of severely damaged plants.
Jobotos (Phyllophaga spp.): Larvae that they devour roots, causing yellowing and dieback of the foliage. Work on soil and exposure of pupae/larvae reduce their population.
Measuring worm (Mocis latipes): Consumes edges of leaves In tender plants, you can leave only the central nerve. Monitoring and management of coverage vegetables help reduce their impact.
Pseudostem weevil (Metamasius hemipterus): Attacks plant material weakened, originating outbreaks weak and reeds with lower content of juice. It is crucial to plant healthy seed and maintain a vigorous implantation.
Spit (Aeneolamina varia): Nymphs suck sap in estate while adults do it in leaves, injecting toxins that cause necrosis and weaken the plant. They are recommended rotations, control of weeds hosts and climate monitoring.
Antillean leafhopper (Saccharosydne saccharivora): Sucks sap and excretes honeydew, on which it is installed sooty mold which hinders photosynthesis and transpiration. For better control, you can consult sugarcane diseases.
Main diseases
Coal (Ustilago scitaminea): Cause stunting, stems thin, leaves narrow and black type structures whip in the bud. Measurements: certified seed, tolerant varieties and elimination of outbreaks.
Roya (Puccinia erianthi, P. melanocephala, P. kuehnii): Stains chlorotic that turn into tones dark and pustules on the underside. Use of resistant varieties and timely management of density and fertility.
Eye spot (Bipolaris sacchari): Stains elongated, reddish with halo yellowish that the nerves continue. Recommended tolerant varieties and management of crop residues.
Pokkah Boeng (Fusarium moniliforme): Twisting of the heart, chlorotic bases and stem deformation. Important hygiene and avoid excessive stress.
Ring spot (Leptosphaeria sacchari): Elongated green spots dark brown irregular halos yellows.
Offspring rickets (Clavibacter xyli): Sizes rickets and discoloration in knots. Disinfect key tools and use material healthy.
Leaf scald (Xanthomonas albilineans): It is transmitted by Utensils contaminated. Stripes whitish in leaves and pods, slow growth. The sanitization of the instrumental drastically reduces its appearance.
Red stripe (Xanthomonas rubrilineans): Stripes Red parallel to nerves; in severe infections, decay from the bud.
Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV): Broadcast by aphids, with mosaics of tones green to whitish spots on leaves. To prevent its spread, you can consult sugarcane diseases.
Yellow freckle (Mycovellosiella koepkei): Leaf spots yellow a reddish, with folding and drying of leaves.
Recycling and by-products
Sugar and derivatives: From the juice is produced saccharose (table sugar). The molasses, a byproduct of refining, is used in fermentations and for drinks such as rum and cachaça. Sugar cane also provides syrups and less refined sweeteners.
Bioenergy: The cane is the base for ethanol (ethyl alcohol) from juices and molasses. The bagasse and straw allow for electrical cogeneration and the production of cellulosic ethanol.
Forage and bedding: Stems and by-products are used in animal feeding. Tests have shown that the cane juice, supplemented with protein, can improve the performance of certain productions, such as pig farming, always under balanced formulations.
Materials and other uses: The bagasse It is used for paper, boards and biocomposites; wax of cane (rich in policosanols) is being investigated as an alternative to wax carnauba en cosmetology and coatings.
Composition of the juice and medicinal properties
Stem composition: The juice represents about 70-80% of the weight of the stem; the remaining bagasse forms the 15-30%. The wealth in saccharose commercial usually ranges in value from 14% or higher in modern varieties and optimal conditions, with variability according to technology y management.
Cane juice: Contains mostly water y sugars (mainly sucrose, as well as glucose and fructose), small amounts of fiber, Vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid), minerals (potassium, calcium, iron), organic acids (hydroxycinnamic, sinapic, caffeic, aconitic, malic, citric), Flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, tricin and their glycosides) and others phytocompounds (phytosterols, terpenoids).
| Composition of sugarcane juice per 100 g | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 62 Kcal |
| Sugars | 16,5 g |
| Proteins | 0,6 g |
| Fats | 0,1 g |
| Fiber | 3,1 g |
| Football | 8 mg |
| Iron | 1,4 mg |
| Thiamine | 0,02 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0,01 mg |
| Niacin | 0,10 mg |
| Vitamin C: | 3 mg |
traditional usesIn home medicine, sugar has been vehicle y preservative of syrups and preparations. Properties are attributed to sugarcane antiseptics, diuretics, Pectorals y toning, in addition to topical uses on skin.
Policosanols: The epicuticular wax (especially of leaves) concentrates policosanols, dominated by octacosanol. They have been investigated for their potential to improve the lipidic profile (LDL reduction) and for its activity antirust. They are also explored as alternative to carnauba wax in cosmetics.
Bioactive activity: The polyphenols, fatty acids, phytosterols y terpenoids participate in actions anti-inflammatory y analgesics, by modulating routes of the Arachidonic acid and reduce mediators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. A content of Flavonoids in sugarcane juice comparable to that of popular drinks such as black tea or Orange juice.
Precautions: Although less processed forms can be considered moderate consumption acceptable, excess of saccharose Is associated with metabolic disorders. Supplements of policosanol They may cause mild discomfort (headache, dizziness, insomnia, gastric discomfort) and should be used under professional judgment.
Production and global outlook
Importance: A majority portion (around two-thirds) of the world's sugar comes from cane; the rest is obtained from sugar beet. The cane is also one of the larger volume crops of the planet in terms of tons harvested.
Production areas: Predominant in tropics and subtropics, with large areas in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Among the countries with the highest production are tropical economies with a strong sugarcane energy sector, followed by other Asian nations with large irrigated areas and multiple crops.
In total area: It is estimated that it occupies tens of millions of hectares global, distributed in more than 90 countriesProductivity depends on the germplasm, technification (mechanization and irrigation) and the industry associated.
Competitiveness: The integration sugar-ethanol-energy and the efficient use of bagasse y paja They improve the economic and environmental sustainability of the most advanced sugarcane plantations.
Sugar cane, due to its great agronomic plasticity and its wide genetic diversity, is a strategic crop for both the eating as for the energy transitionIts modern handling puts the focus on harvest in green, balanced nutrition, preventive health y comprehensive valuation of by-products, maximizing profitability while minimizing environmental impacts and preserving the technological quality of the raw material.
