Sugarcane production and N fertilizer application of the top 14 sugarcane producing countries, which account for 86 and 88% of global sugarcane production area and cane yield, respectively.

aFAO area and yield data 2008.bHeffer 2009 International Fertilizer Industry Association Assessment of fertilizer use by sugar crops at the global level 2007/2008.*Figures for USA calculated from average application rate and area, sugarbeet production in remaining countries is minor compared to sugarcane.cCalculated based on a stalk dry matter content of 30% and N content of 0.2% dry weight.1Hartemink [43].2Dr. T.K. Srivstava, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, India (pers. comm. 2010).3Dr. Jiang Xiong Liao, Guanxi Sugarcane Research Institute, China (pers. comm. 2010).4FAO Fertilizer use by crop (2005).5Average application rate Wood et al [23].6Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, 'Fertilizer Recommendations-(2009).7R. Rice, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, USA (pers. comm. 2010).†Weighted average output/input ratio.