Description

• Purple Turnip Top (Shaljam) is the most popular root vegetable in India. This is mainly a cool-season crop; however, it can tolerate higher temperatures. It requires short day lengths and a cool climate for better development of roots. The roots of Turnip are round, crisp, solid, and mildly flavored.
• Growing season: Winter Season Sowing method: Direct Seeds sowing depth: 0.75-1.25 cm Germination Time: 4 to 10 days Germination temperature: 10-21°C Harvesting days: 45-65 days Plant vigor: Strong plant Round Root
• Soil – Turnips grow quickly in well-drained, sandy with high organic matter soil.
• Water – Give regular water during the growing season and make sure the soil doesn’t dry out, especially the first few days. Avoid over-watering the plants as this can lead to cracking of the roots.
• Sunlight – Turnip plants need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily but can also grow in partial shade.
• Temperature – Turnips are a cool-season vegetable that grows best on a short day, the minimum growing temperature is 5°C while the maximum is 32°C.
• Common pests and diseases – Aphids and flea beetles attack turnip plants. Downy mildew and bacterial diseases such as black rot and bacterial leaf spot are some common diseases that infect the plant. Use neem oil, to control these pests, and avoid putting water on the leaves to save the plants.