Sugarcane
Sugar cane is a vigorous plant which reproduces itself by cuttings. It thrives in tropical and subtropical regions where there are the warmth and high humidity needed for its growth.
All about the sugar cane plant
When ready to be cut, the sugar is concentrated in the lower part of the stem near the ground, which is why it must be cut at this level, so as not to lose the richest part. The white upper part of the stem has little sugar content and is thrown away with the leaves.
New plants will be grown from the “eyes” which are found in the under ground part of the plant, the rhizome. So the cycle which can be repeated up to 7 times, starts again each year, depending on the soil and the varieties.
Seeds are used for improving the cane varieties
Seeds are produced by cross-breeding, for the sole purpose of improving the varieties of cane. This cross-breeding of the male and female parent plant is undertaken in “lanternes” – sort of wedding-chambers - under conditions of controlled temperature and humidity. From the union of the pollen and ovule spring new cane shoots, some of which will be new varieties of cane. All the data collected are treated by computer and the results go to assist the geneticists in their choice of breeds.
The planter’s task
Cane is propagated by cuttings planted in rows about 1m 50 apart. For a successful crop, the soil must be well prepared, good quality cuttings used, with sufficient water and fertilizer, and all at the right temperature. Between 18,000 and 20,000 cuttings are planted per hectare.
The characteristics of the plant
The saccharose is stocked in the cane stem. Each stem contains 10 to 15% fibrous matter, 12 to 18% sugar as saccharose with a little glucose. A cane plant can give up to 20 litres of juice from which may be extracted 2 kgs of sugar. It can be replanted by cuttings up to seven times. There are many different cane varieties falling into two main families: the cultivated and the wild.
When ready to be cut, the sugar is concentrated in the lower part of the stem near the ground, which is why it must be cut at this level, so as not to lose the richest part. The white upper part of the stem has little sugar content and is thrown away with the leaves.
New plants will be grown from the “eyes” which are found in the under ground part of the plant, the rhizome. So the cycle which can be repeated up to 7 times, starts again each year, depending on the soil and the varieties.
Seeds are used for improving the cane varieties
Seeds are produced by cross-breeding, for the sole purpose of improving the varieties of cane. This cross-breeding of the male and female parent plant is undertaken in “lanternes” – sort of wedding-chambers - under conditions of controlled temperature and humidity. From the union of the pollen and ovule spring new cane shoots, some of which will be new varieties of cane. All the data collected are treated by computer and the results go to assist the geneticists in their choice of breeds.
The planter’s task
Cane is propagated by cuttings planted in rows about 1m 50 apart. For a successful crop, the soil must be well prepared, good quality cuttings used, with sufficient water and fertilizer, and all at the right temperature. Between 18,000 and 20,000 cuttings are planted per hectare.
The characteristics of the plant
The saccharose is stocked in the cane stem. Each stem contains 10 to 15% fibrous matter, 12 to 18% sugar as saccharose with a little glucose. A cane plant can give up to 20 litres of juice from which may be extracted 2 kgs of sugar. It can be replanted by cuttings up to seven times. There are many different cane varieties falling into two main families: the cultivated and the wild.