1
Sugarcane
- Energy Conversion Efficiency (%)
- 7.5
- Photosynthetic Pathway
- C4 Pathway

This ranking is based on the energy conversion efficiency of C4 and CAM photosynthetic pathways, identifying plant species with the highest biomass productivity. These plants exhibit superior carbon fixation capabilities under specific climatic conditions and are significant for agricultural yield and ecosystem carbon sequestration research.
In the botanical 'energy conversion race,' sugarcane takes the crown with an unrivaled performance. As a top-tier C4 plant, its photosynthetic efficiency reaches 6%-8%, significantly outperforming common C3 crops like rice and wheat, which typically hover around 1%-2%.
| Rank | Name | Energy Conversion Efficiency (%) | Photosynthetic Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sugarcane | 7.5 | C4 Pathway |
| 2 | Maize | 6.8 | C4 Pathway |
| 3 |
Elephant Grass |
6.5 |
| C4 Pathway |
| 4 | Sorghum | 6.2 | C4 Pathway |
| 5 | Miscanthus | 6 | C4 Pathway |
| 6 | Pineapple | 5.8 | CAM Pathway |
| 7 | Bermudagrass | 5.5 | C4 Pathway |
| 8 | Agave | 5.2 | CAM Pathway |
| 9 | Foxtail Millet | 5 | C4 Pathway |
| 10 | Amaranth | 4.8 | C4 Pathway |
Comments