ABSTRACT
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) has a unique role in sustaining agro industrial economic growth in India. In the world, India is second largest producer of sugarcane with estimated production of 348.2 million tons per year [38]. This production accounts for approximately one fifth of total production 1743.1 million tons in the world. Sugarcane is an important raw material for production of sugar, industrial alcohol, filter cake (a fertilizer), bagasse (fuel), cattle feed and paper industry. Sugar industry adds Rs. 30,000 crore to the Indian economy and there are about 3.5 crore farmers engaged in sugarcane cultivation.
