Which one of the following combinations would a sugarcane farmer look for in the sugarcane crop?
a. Thick stem, long internodes, high sugar content and disease-resistant
b. Thick stem, high sugar content and profuse flowering
c. Thick stem, short internodes, high sugar content, disease-resistant
d. Thick stem, low sugar, content, disease-resistant
Sugarcane belongs to the Poaceae family, which consists of perennial grass species predominantly cultivated across tropical regions in southeastern Asia. These plants serve as significant producers of sucrose, primarily amassed within their stem internodes. From a cultivator's perspective, such as a farmer, the focus is generally on enhancing agricultural yields for economic benefits. In the context of sugarcane, a robust and thickened stem structure is favoured due to its correlation with increased biomass and, consequently, greater juice extraction potential. This attribute is particularly advantageous for commercial sugar production, as it translates to higher sugar yields. Internodal regions are the primary sites for sucrose accumulation; thus, elongated internodes equate to enhanced sugar content. This is a critical factor contributing to the plant's economic viability, as it allows for prolonged storage periods without significant loss of sugar content post-harvest, which is essential for managing logistical challenges and maintaining the crop's quality and market value.
Hence, The answer is option (a) Thick stem, long internodes, high sugar content and disease-resistant.