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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Houma, Louisiana » Sugarcane Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #251543
Title: Developing Sugar Cane as a Dedicated Energy Crop

Author
item BRANSBY, DAVID - Auburn University
item ALLEN, DAMIAN - Mendel Biotechnology
item GUTTERSON, NEAL - Mendel Biotechnology
item IKONEN, GREGORY - Mendel Biotechnology
item Richard Jr, Edward
item ROONEY, WILLIAM - Auburn University

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/2/2010
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: High yield with low inputs, resistance to diseases, insects, and drought, adaptation to a wide range of soils and climates, and biomass composition that is optimized for end use are identified as important traits for cellulosic biomass crops. Sugarcane is one of the most efficient grass species in converting sunlight into biomass – biomass that has a significant quantity of sugar in its composition. Sugarcane is a tropical plant whose geographic range of distribution is limited to the extreme southern portions of Florida, Louisiana, and Texas where yields exceeding 10 dry tons/acre are common. The yielding ability, growth, and culture of sugarcane for both sugar and energy production were reviewed. In addition, genetic improvement needs and the strategies to meet those needs were identified in an attempt to adapt sugarcane to more sub-tropical environments. To expand sugarcane’s role as a major feedstock will require a breeding and selection strategy geared to enhancing the levels of resistance to colder climates and disease and insect pests and enhanced levels of nutrient and water use efficiency as the crop may be grown on the less productive land. One strategy for obtaining enhanced levels of stress tolerance and higher productivity is to cross sugarcane with its wild relative, Saccharum spontaneum and its close relatives from the Miscanthus and Erianthus genera and to use early generation hybrids from these crosses as dedicated energy cane varieties. It is concluded that if the geographic range of adaption cane be expanded, sugar/energy cane can play a significant role in providing cellulosic biomass for a wide range of bioenergy applications particularly in the southeastern U.S.