The analysis of the quality indices in sugarcane plays a vital role in the process of refining sugarcane breeding, cultivation, and production management. The present investigation was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Basanthpur-Mamidigi, Medak Dist., Telangana during 2016-2017 to study the quality parameters of twelve sugarcane clones. The field experiment was conducted with 12 varieties in randomized block design replicated thrice. The observations made from the study stated that varieties varied significantly for the quality parameters. Among the varieties, Co 8014, has recorded the highest sucrose and Commercial Cane Sugar (CCS) percent followed by Co 86032, Co C 671 and Co 95020. The variety, 97 R 129 has recorded the lowest sucrose and CCS, followed by 97 R 401, 85 R186, Co 99006 and 83 R 23. The Brix values were high for Co 86032 and low for 97 R 401. Similarly, Co 99006 and Co C 92061 showed high and low values, respectively for purity percentage. Further, it could be attributed that the clones Co 86032 and Co 95020 recorded the highest sugar and cane yields. Conversely, the clones 83 R 23 and 85 R 186 recorded the lowest sugar and cane yields. Higher cane yield, sucrose and CCS percent in varieties had resulted in significantly higher sugar yields.

Sorghum is a gluten-free cereal and forms the staple diet of a majority of the populations living in the semi-arid tropics. It was believed that food security attained through green revolution would solve India's nutritional issues. However, we have now realized that in these attempts, rice and wheat received a lot of policy attention, while other crops such as sorghum were neglected. This trend is frequently cited as one of the causes behind nutritional conundrum in India in which undernutrition and hidden hunger coexist. Sorghum grain contains pigmented pericarp (i.e., red, yellow, brown) and non-pigmented pericarp (i.e., white). Sorghum grains with yellow pericarp have gained greater demand in market during recent times owing to its nutritional importance, good roti making quality and keeping quality. The purpose of this review paper is to provide a comprehensive understanding of yellow pericarp sorghum in terms of its nutritional composition, and to compare the nutritional characteristics with white sorghum. From a nutritional perspective, a major advantage of sorghum as a healthy and nutritious crop is its higher proportion of slowly digestible and resistant starch components compared with other staple cereal crops. The nutritional composition of Sorghum bicolor grain includes energy (193 cal), moisture content (52%), protein (7.1 g), fat (0.6 g), carbohydrates (39.8 g), fiber (0.9 g), calcium (10 mg), iron (3.5 mg), and niacin (1.7 mg). Sorghum is a good source of minerals and vitamins and mostly located in aleurone layer and germ. It is an important source of B vitamins except for vitamin B12 and vitamin A. Research studies have proven that Yellow pericarp sorghum has relatively higher protein content (12-13%) than white sorghum (10-11%) and is rich in beta carotene, leutin and zeaxanthin. It is characterized by high carbohydrate, calcium, and zinc contents. Yellow pericarp sorghum is also rich in flavanones and has slightly higher total phenolic contents than white sorghum which act as antioxidants and play a crucial role in enhancing the immune system. Thus yellow pericarp sorghum can serve as a significant nutrient-rich cereal and could play a role in dietary diversification and a balanced diet as a means of addressing nutritional security in India.

A field experiment was carried out at College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad to study the influence of land configurations and vegetative mulch on the yield, yield attributes, nutrient uptake and economics of yellow sorghum genotypes during kharif 2018-19. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design with six (6) land configurations as main plots viz., Flat bed, Ridge and furrow, Broad bed and furrow, Flat bed + Mulch (FB + M), Ridge and Furrow + Mulch (RF + M), Broad bed and furrow + Mulch (BBF + M) and four (4) yellow pericarp sorghum genotypes as sub plots viz., PYPS (Palem yellow pericarp sorghum) 101,102, 103 and 104. Results obtained from the study showed that broad bed and furrows along with mulch (BBF+ M) reported higher yield attributes viz., effective ear heads per m2 (11.91), grains per ear head (741), grain weight per ear head (21.93 g) and higher nutrient uptake (246 N, 43.0 P and 78.7 K kg ha-1). While, PYPS 102 genotype registered higher effective ear heads per m2 (11.90), grains per ear head (702), grain weight per ear head (19.49 g) and higher total nutrient uptake (246 N, 43.0 P and 78.7 K kg ha-1). In terms of economics, higher gross returns (Rs. 95747 ha-1), net returns (Rs. 62101 ha-1). and BC ratio (2.84) were recorded under broad bed and furrows with mulch, owing to higher grain and stover yield (1700 and 1585 kg ha-1, respectively). BBF + M recorded an increase of 37, 35 and 57 per cent in grain yield, gross returns and net returns, respectively over flatbed with no mulch. Correspondingly, higher grain yields of PYPS 102 (1586 kg ha-1) had reflected in monetary terms, as both the gross returns (PYPS 102 – Rs. 89774 ha-1), net returns (PYPS 102 – Rs. 57028 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (PYPS 102 – 2.74). Thus, the above treatments were found to be the best options for cultivation of yellow sorghum considering their higher yield, yield attributes, nutrient uptake and economics under rainfed condition in South Telangana agro-climatic zone.

Aim: To study the effectiveness of seven (07) herbicides for the control of weeds in wheat crop. Study Design: Randomized Block Design. Place and Duration of Study: A field study was executed in the rabi seasons, 2014-15 to 2016-17 at Agricultural Research Station, Basanthpur, Telangana. Methodology: New molecules of herbicides were tested in different combinations and compared with the traditional weed control practice through the weed parameters viz., weed density, weed dry matter, weed index and weed persistence index. The performance of wheat crop in terms of grain yield and cost economics were noted to attest the efficiency of different herbicide treatments. Results: Based on the results, the pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 3.0 l ha-1 and a hand weeding at 45 DAS is advised to obtain maximum grain yield while the post emergence application of clodinafop propargyl @ 60 g a.i. ha-1 + metsulfuron methyl @ 4 g a.i. ha-1 at 3 leaf stage of weed is recommended for higher economic benefits. Conclusion: Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 3.0 l ha-1 followed by a hand weeding at 45 DAS can be recommended for higher wheat crop grain yield. And in case of labour shortage, one post emergence application of Clodinafop propargyl @ 60 g a.i./ha + metsulfuron methyl @ 4g a.i./ha at 3 leaf stage of weed i.e., at 25 DAS of wheat crop can be the cost-effective weed management practice in the wheat crop.

The experiment was conducted during eksali of 2017, 2018 and 2020 at Agricultural Research Station, Basanthpur, Sangareddy, Telangana in red laterite loamy soils. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and 7 planting methods viz., ridge and furrow method with 3 budded setts (P1), single node planted by seedling transplanter (P2), direct planting of bud chips (P3), direct planting of seedlings manually (P4), seedling transplanting by transplanter (P5), planting with cutter planter (P6) and farmers practice (P7). Pooled mean of three years data indicated that the tiller count at 75 and 120 DAS (102.8 and 189.1 ‘000ha), cane height (306.7 cm), no. of millable canes (104’000 ha), single cane weight (1.67 kg) and cane yield (138.9 t ha-1) registered were significantly highest in direct planting of seedlings.