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.

A study on Soil Test Crop Response based Integrated Plant Nutrition System (STCR - IPNS) was conducted adopting an Inductive cum Targeted yield model in vertisols of Northern Karnataka at Main Agricultural Research Station (MARS), UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka during kharif 2020-21 in order to develop STCR and STCR-IPNS fertilizer prescription equations (FPEs) for achieving desired yield targets of maize. Fertilizer doses at varying soil test values, for attaining 60, 80 and 100 q ha-1 target grain yield of maize have been worked out based on the initial soil test values of available N, P and K and the quantities of N, P and K added through farm yard manure (FYM). Using these equations, validation trials were conducted during kharif 2021-22 at MARS, Dharwad and Irrigation Water Management Research Centre (IWMRC), Belavatgi. The results of the experiment indicated that at both the locations, the per cent achievement of the targeted yield was within ± 10 % variation proving the validity of the equations for prescribing integrated fertilizer doses for maize. The highest grain yield was recorded in STCR-IPNS equation with 100 q ha-1 target yield (Dharwad -104.8 q ha-1, Belavatgi – 102.3 q ha-1) recording an increase of 67 and 69 per cent over recommended package of practices at Dharwad and Belavatgi, respectively. However, it was found to be on par with Jabalpur STCR equation with 100 q ha-1 target yield and STCR-NPK alone equation with 100 q ha-1 target yield. Higher gross returns were recorded under STCR-IPNS equation with 100 q ha-1 target yield owing to higher grain and stover yields. While STCR equation developed at Jabalpur with 100 q ha-1 target yield recorded higher net returns. The post-harvest soil available NPK indicated better build-up and maintenance of soil fertility by the soil test based fertilizer recommendation under IPNS. Targeting 100 q ha-1 grain yield for maize under STCR approach was found to be ideal in terms of yield, economics and soil fertility maintenance in vertisols of Karnataka. The fertilizer prescription equations developed for maize under IPNS can be recommended for vertisols of Northern Karnataka for achieving target yield of 100 q ha-1 with sustained soil fertility and it can be extrapolated to other agro-climatic zones of Karnataka on similar and allied soil types.

Pulses are a crucial group of crops that supply high-quality protein to complement the protein found in cereal crops for the large vegetarian population. Water scarcity and inefficient water management pose significant challenges to pulse production, which is crucial for food security and sustainable agriculture. This paper focuses on optimizing water utilization in pulse production to enhance crop yields and mitigate the impact on water resources. We explore various strategies and technologies that can improve water-use efficiency, including precision irrigation techniques, soil moisture monitoring, water-saving practices, and genetic improvement programs for drought-tolerant varieties. Additionally, we discuss the benefits of agroforestry systems and crop rotation in enhancing water infiltration and soil health. By implementing these measures, farmers can optimize water utilization, increase pulse yields, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices. This research highlights the importance of addressing water scarcity in pulse production to ensure food security in the face of changing climatic conditions and growing population demands.

The present work aims to determine the effect of land configurations and Pongamia pinnata mulch on soil moisture content and yield of yellow sorghum during kharif, 2018-19 on sandy clay loam soils of Hyderabad. The experiment was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The treatments included land configurations (Flatbed, Ridge and furrow, Broad bed and furrow, Flatbed + Mulch, Ridge and Furrow + Mulch, Broad bed and furrow + Mulch) and yellow sorghum genotypes (PYPS 101, PYPS 102, PYPS 103 and PYPS 104). Mulch used in this investigation was Pongamia leaf mulch applied @ 6 t ha-1 uniformly at 20 DAS. Soil moisture played a vital role in increasing crop yields in the rainfed regions of the semi-arid tropics. During most crop growth stages, the availability of soil water was increased by Broad bed and furrow + mulch, resulting in increased grain yield by 37 % (1701 kg ha-1) of yellow sorghum over flatbed. Ridge and furrow + mulch were found to be the next best treatment, with a grain yield of 1590 kg ha-1. Mulched treatments of flatbed, ridge and furrow and broad bed and furrow increased the grain yield by 20%, 28% and 37%, respectively, compared to flatbed without mulch. The present study will help in recognizing profitable moisture conservation practices and the role of Pongamia mulch in soil moisture conservation and yield maximization of yellow sorghum.