Turnip Roots Frank J. Dainello, Extension Horticulturist Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University		Click photo to enlarge in new window.
VARIETIES Purple Top White Globe, Royal Globe, Shogoin, York, Seven Top, Tokyo Cross, White Lady, Royal Crown
SOIL PREFERENCE Deep, friable, sandy loam with pH 5.5 - 7.5; Will tolerate wide range of soil type 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 cause growth depression and reduced root quality.
ESTABLISHMENT METHODS Direct seeded Optimum time= Spring- seed zone temperature > 40oF Fall- seed zone temperature < 105oF Seeding rate lbs/A= 1 - 2; Approx no/oz= 15,000 Seeding depth= 0.25 - 0.5" Seedling spacing= double plant rows on 38 - 40 " raised beds with 2 - 4 " in-row spacing
FERTILITY/FERTILIZATION Rates presented as actual lbs/Acre N2, P2O5 and K2O (base actual rates on soil test results). Generalized rate lbs/A: 50 - 70 - 100 N- 35 - 80; 25 - 40 lbs pre-plant + 10 - 40 lbs side-dressed 25 days after planting P- 50 - 120; banded 2 " below seed at planting K- 70 - 120; applied pre-plant 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 Damping-off Ridomil Gold Leaf spots fixed copper, Cabrio, Quadris Downy mildew Aliette 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 Some labels may have been revoked since the publication of this guide.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(hand), bulk(machine) Grades= US 1 and US 2 depending upon defects and uniformity, roots 1.75"+ , minimum diameter Packaging/handling= Topped roots, 25 lb film bags, 50 lb film and mesh bags or 24 lb crtn holding 24-1 lb bags; Processing, bulked-sold by ton Anticipated yield/A= 3-4 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 root quality. Temperature above 75oF during the above time frame decreases yield and quality. Initiate harvest when roots exceed 1.75" diameter (bunched roots), topped roots 3 " diameter. Refrigerate harvested roots 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/turniproots.html Prepared for Web delivery by Brooke Bludau, Amanda Zan, and Dan Lineberger