Turnip Greens Frank J. Dainello, Extension Horticulturist Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University
VARIETIES All Top, Typhon, Alamo, Topper
SOIL PREFERENCE Deep, friable, sandy loam with pH 5.5 - 7.5; Will tolerate wide range of soil types with proper management. Avoid excessively heavy soils, can cause root malformation.
OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS Cool season crop with tolerance to frost and light freezes. Temperatures above 75oF for prolonged periods can depress growth and reduce quality.
ESTABLISHMENT METHODS Direct seeded Optimum time= Spring, seed zone temperature > 40oF Fall, seed zone temperature < 105oF Seeding rate lbs/A= 1 - 2 Approx seed/oz= 15,000 Seeding depth= 1/4 - 1/2 " Seedling spacing= double plant rows on 38 - 40 " wide raised beds with 2 - 4 " in-row spacing
FERTILITY/FERTILIZATION Base actual rates on soil test results Generalized rate lbs/A: 50 - 70 - 100 N- 35 - 80; 25 - 40 lbs preplant + 10 - 40 lbs side-dressed 25 days after planting P- 50 - 120; banded 2 " below seed at planting K- 70 - 120; applied preplant with the nitrogen; normally not required in most areas of Texas.
WATER/IRRIGATION 10 - 15 " uniformly available throughout growing season.
PEST MANAGEMENT MAJOR DISEASES CONTROL Leaf spots fixed copper, Cabrio, Quadris Downy mildew Aliette Damping-off Ridomil Gold Nematode K-Pam, Telone II, Telone C-17 MAJOR INSECTS CONTROL Aphid Admire, Assail, diazinon, dimethoate, Fulfill, Provado Flea beetle permethrin, Sevin Beet armyworm Intreprid, Lannate, Spintor Cabbage looper Asana (24c), B.t.'s, permethrin, Spintor Mite dimethoate, sulfur WEED CONTROL Preplant incorporated Prefar, Treflan (processing only) Preemergence Dacthal Postemergence Select, Stinger
* NOTE--The above is a partial listing of controls intended as examples. Some labels may have been revoked since the publication of this guide. Refer to product labels for specifics and use accordingly. Failure to do so may result in crop injury, death and/or citation for law violation. Humans, animals and the environment may also be adversely affected by misuse.
HARVEST Hand or machine Days after planting= 40 - 60 Containers= bushel baskets or bulk(machine harvest) Packaging/handling= Fresh market- bunched, 24 lb crtn holding 24-1 lb film bags Processing- bulked sold by ton Anticipated yield /A= Fresh market (Greens)= 500 crtns Processing= 5 - 6 tons
TRANSIT CONDITIONS 32oF at 95 % RH; shelf-life 4 - 5 months.
COMMENTS / PRODUCTION KEYS Temperatures near freezing 3 - 4 weeks prior to harvest increases quality. Temperature above 75oF during the above time frame decreases yield and quality. Refrigerate harvested leaves as soon as possible to prevent loss of quality; placeing in high humidity conditions particularly important to prevent shriveling.
Texas Cooperative Extension, Horticulture Crop Guides Series Revised November, 2003 http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/vegetable/cropguides/turnipgreens.html Prepared for Web delivery by Brooke Bludau, Amanda Zan, and Dan Lineberger