Question
Which two varieties of sugarcane were crossed to grow high yielding variety of sugarcane in north, and Why?
Solution
The two varietiesof sugarcane crossed were Saccharum barberi and Saccharum officinarum.
Saccharum barberi grew in the north but
had poor sugar content and yield. Saccharum officinarum which grew in south had thicker stems and higher sugar content but could not grow in the north. The two species were crossed so that the high yield and sugar content of the southern variety could be combined with the ease of growth of the northern variety.
