Yellow sugar cane (Saccharum offi cinarum) (Figure 1) is the most common variety grown in Malaysia. The main product from it is the juice. The juice is squeezed from the stems and drink fresh, usually served cold. The juice is also canned and commonly sold in restaurants and retail outlets throughout the country. Yellow sugar cane is a fast growing crop and can be harvested 9 – 10 months after planting. At mature stage, the stem is 1.5 – 2.5 m long with the diameter of 2.5 – 5.0 cm. The skin of the stem is light yellow and softer compared to other sugar cane varieties. The crop can be grown on a wide range of soils, especially well to moderately well drained sandy clay alluvial soils. It prefers fl at to gentle slopes, being quite susceptible to wind damage in hilly areas. The optimum annual rainfall is 1500 – 1800 mm. The cane can be inter-cropped with oil palm for about two years during which three harvests can be made – the first harvest from the main crop and then two ratoon crops. After two years, with the oil palm canopy closing, the yield is depressed as a result of low light penetration.

Main Research: Suboh Ismail