Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a tall-growing monocotyledonous perennial grass that is cultivated in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, primarily for its ability to store high concentrations of sucrose, or sugar, in the stem. Commercial sugarcane hybrid cultivars have arisen through intensive selective breeding of species within the Saccharum genus, primarily involving crosses between S. officinarum and S. spontaneum. Saccharum officinarum accumulates very high levels of sucrose in the stem but is highly susceptible to diseases (Lakshmanan et al., 2005; Cox et al., 2000) whereas S. spontaneum accumulates little sucrose, has thinner stalks and higher fibre content but is a highly polymorphic species with resistance or tolerance to many pests and diseases (Jackson, 2005; Bull & Glasziou, 1979).