sugar cane

sugar cane

Sugar cane is the source of sugar in all tropical and subtropical countries of the world. Estimates for 1966 and 1967 indicate world production of sugar from sugar cane was between 40 and 41 million tons. Production in the United States, excluding Puerto Rico, averaged 2,550,000 tons during those years - from 592,000 acres of sugar cane in Hawaii, Florida and Louisiana. Sugar production in Puerto Rico averaged 850,000 tons for the two years.

Sugar cane species of Saccharum are found in Southeast Asia and neighboring islands, and from these cultivated sugar cane probably originated. The sweet juice and crystallized sugar were known in China and India some 2500 years ago. Sugar cane reached the Mediterranean countries in the eighth century A.D., and reached the Americas in early colonial times.

Sugar cane plant is a coarse growing member of the grass family with juice or sap high in sugar content. Sugar cane is tender to cold, the tops being killed by temperatures a little below freezing. In continental United States, where freezing may occur during the winter, sugar cane is mainly planted in late summer or early fall and harvested a year later. In tropical countries sugar cane may be planted at almost any time of the year since the plant does not have a rest period. The season of active growth of sugar cane in continental United States is 7 to 8 months while in tropical countries growth is near continuous until harvest. This results in heavier yields of sugar cane under tropical conditions. For example, yields of sugar cane and sugar per acre in Hawaii, where the sugar cane is grown for about 2 years before harvesting, are from 3 to 4 times yields in Louisiana and Florida from one season's growth.