10 - Saccharum spp.—potential role in ecorestoration and biomass production

Abstract

Saccharum is a genus of perennial tall grasses which can naturally colonize extreme habitats of a range of waste land. Several Saccharum spp. L. are of multiutility and facilitates multiple functions in an ecosystem, though, they are neglected and underutilized. These species can utilize soil resources more efficiently and sustained to a large range of moisture regimes, from arid to humid environment. Among Saccharum spp. L., Saccharum spontaneum, and Saccharum munja are the most common species which have wide scale distribution on the variety of waste land, and provides multiple benefits and improves rural economy. This chapter deals with ecology, morphology, origin and geographic distribution, propagation, multiple uses, and ecorestoration potential of Saccharum spp. L., with special emphasize on S. spontaneum and S. munja. Moreover, we elucidated the role S. spontaneum and S. munja in ecorestoration of wasteland lands with biomass production, which is an important ways environmental management and climate change mitigation. It is also useful in phytoremediation of various waste dumpsites. The biomass of Saccharum spp. improves rural livelihood through multitude of ways including, timber materials, as fiber for pulp and paper industry, medicinal application, and as a fodder during juvenile stage. Despite wide scale application of Saccharum spp., the plantation should be done with caution owing to their rapid propagation and invasion may threaten native taxa.