ABSTRACT
Sugar cane is a highly efficient converter of solar energy. While mostly a rainfed crop in the humid tropics, sugar cane is particularly productive when irrigated under the high light intensities of arid and semi-arid tropical and sub-tropical areas. Run-off from cane fields may contain undesirable concentrations of fertilizers and biocides. It is therefore important to consider downstream water uses before project implementation to ensure compatibility. Weeds compete seriously with young cane for water and nutrients until the growing cane shades them out. A major drawback of any monoculture of succulent plants, including sugar cane, is the risk of pests and diseases that can attack the crop at all stages of growth. The burning of leaves of standing cane greatly facilitates manual cane cutting and harvesting. Potential pollutants from sugar factories include smoke, cane Mashing water, factory waste water in general, filter-press muds, and bagasse and molasses.
