Sugarcane: Biotechnology for Biofuels

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is one of the most vegetatively cultivated cash crops in the world, predominantly grown in tropical and subtropical regions in more than 90 countries, and it is the main source of sugar, biofuel, and biomaterial. Despite enormous efforts, crop production is compromised due to several biotic and abiotic factors; therefore, the crop demands more attention from breeders and biotechnologists to improve its sustainable production. In this era of depleting natural energy resources, biotechnology has played a major role in converting sugarcane into energy-cane (ethanol- and lipid-cane) to meet the requirements of energy on a sustainable basis.