What are some common varieties of sugarcane?

Saccharum officinarum

Originating from New Guinea, the stem color can be green, pinkish, or purple, the height is up to 5 meters, leaves grow up to 60 cm & the width of 5 cm. It has spikelets of around 3 mm & also has fruits which when dry have seeds. This is the main type that is cultivated in Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa & the Pacific. Most of the sugarcane grown globally comes from hybrids produced from this variety due to high harvest yields (up to 280 tons per hectare) & low risks of pests & diseases.

Saccharum barberi or Saccharum sinensis

Originates from northern India, are short with a diameter of 2.5 cm, leaf blades have a maximum width of 5 cm, the flower is a large panicle with long silky hairs on the stalk which soon breaks off. This type is common in Northern India & the USA. It has a high content of fiber and high risks of pests & diseases & harvest yields are around 60 tonnes hectare making it commercially uncompetitive as compared to other varieties.

Saccharum spontaneum or Saccharum robustum

This type is from India. It is 3 meters in height & has rhizomatous roots. It also grows in lowlands ecoregion & terai-dua savanna grasslands. This type is common in India, Nepal, Bangladesh & Bhutan & is still produced commercially in this region but its harvest yields are average (80 tons per hectare) as compared to hybrids.

Saccharum edule

It originated from Southeast Asia & its height is up to 4 meters, has a narrower stem, thinner leaves & more flexible, and its unopened flower head is eaten. This sugarcane grows in Southeast Asia & Pacific countries. It is commercially produced but faces high risks of pests & diseases, low harvest yields (55-60 tonnes per hectare) as compared to hybrids hence its production is limited to 1 region.