Assessing Lignocellulosic Quality Across Growth Stages in Diverse Sugarcane Genotypes

Sugarcane is a globally important crop traditionally bred for sucrose yield, yet its potential as a lignocellulosic biomass resource remains underexplored. This study evaluated 17 diverse sugarcane genotypes across two contrasting environments in northern Queensland at two developmental stages—maximum vegetative growth and peak sucrose accumulation. Cell wall composition, fibre traits, and theoretical digestibility were quantified to assess biomass quality and explore genotype × environment interactions. Results revealed significant genotypic variation in fibre content and digestibility, with younger tissues generally showing higher digestibility due to lower lignification and xylan deposition. While some genotypes showed stable performance across stages and sites, others exhibited pronounced plasticity. Importantly, digestibility declined with age in most genotypes, suggesting benefits to harvesting at earlier stages for bioenergy purposes. The findings support the strategic use of genotype selection and harvest timing to optimize sugarcane for both sucrose and biofuel production. This dual-purpose approach offers a pathway for more sustainable and versatile sugarcane cropping systems.