Cultivation practice of Root vegetables

1. Root vegetables

2. Root vegetables
• An important group of cool season vegetables,
however some prominent varieties are possible
to grow in warm season.
• Root vegetables are short duration crops and are
predominantly grown for salad and pickles.
• Radish
• Carrot
• Turnip

3. Roots crops include following four crops:
1. Radish (Raphanus sativus) Family: Cruciferae
2. Turnip (Raphanus campestris) Family: Cruciferae
3. Carrot (Daucus carota) Family: Umbelliferae
4. Beet (Beta vulgaris) Family : Chenopodiaceae
• Among root crops radish is the most popular in
Nepal
• It is considered the number one crop in terms of
areas and productivity in Nepal
• Turnip is another root crop which is also popular
followed by carrot

4. Radish
• Scientific name: Raphanus sativus L.
• Chromosome number (2n) = 18
• Inflorescence type: Racemose
• Fruit type: Siliqua
• Radish is grown for its tender tuberous
roots which are eaten raw as salad or
as cooked vegetable.
• Pungency in radish is due to:
Isothiocyanates
• The red color of radish is due to
Anthocyanin pigments.

5. Uses
• It is rich source of Vitamin C and it supply variety of
minerals
• It is grown for its young and fleshy edible roots
which are eaten as raw and cooked
• Leaves are also used as green vegetables
• Raw roots are mostly consumed as 'Achar‘
• The roots are also dried and used as vegetables
during the period when vegetables are scare
• Consumption of radish helps preventing piles,
constipation, stone formation in the urinary tract,
cures jaundice and increase appetite.

7. Nutritional value of radish

8. Botany
• Annual or biennial herb,
tap rooted vegetables
• Flowers are small, white
in color with the
purple vein
• Seeds are globular, will
matured at first yellowish
but turning radish brown with age

9. Radish production in Nepal
Crop Area
(Ha)
Production
(MT)
Yield
(Mt/Ha)
Radish 18,175 289,558 15.93
Major radish producing district of Nepal are:
Dhankuta, Khotang, Jhapa, Morang, Saptari, Bara,
Sarlahi, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Nuwakot, Makwanpur,
Nawalpur, Banke, Bardiya, Parasi, Rupandehi, Kailali etc
MoALD, 2021/22

10. Origin of Radish
• Radish is probably a native of Europe or
Asia.
• The eastern Mediterranean region, China,
and middle Asia are considered to be the
origin of radish.
• It was first grown in western Europe in the mid
sixteenth century.

11. Varieties of radish
• Radish group is broadly divided in to two groups:
European or temperate type:
• Are mostly biennial in nature.
• Quick growing small in size, mild in taste and early in
maturity (Usually 3- 4 weeks).
• Mostly grown as salad crops.
• Require chilling temperature for bolting.
• Major varieties: Eg. Pusa Himani, Scarlet Globe, Scarlet
Long etc.
Asiatic or tropical type:
• Larger than European type and mild pungent.
• Slow growing long duration (40-60 days) and produce large
sized roots.
• Major varieties: Eg. Minow Early, 40 days, Japanese white,
Pusa Chetki, Pyuthane Red. White neck,Tokinase etc.

12. Radish varieties released in Nepal

13. Minow Early Chalis dine (40 days) Green Neck

14. Tokinashi Pyuthane Red

15. Climate
• Radish is a cool season crop but the Asian varieties can
tolerate high temperature than European varieties.
• Optimum temperatures for roots development, best flavor,
texture and size is 15-24ºC.
• Above 25 °C more foliage growth is favored
• Short days favors the production of large roots than long
days.
• Bolting intensifies when the day length increase.
• Long day as well as high temperature will result in bolting
without adequate root formation.
• In hot weather, the roots become hard and pungent before
reaching the proper size and plant bolt earlier.
• At lower temperature pungency is reduced.

16. Soil and Field preparation
• Light soil such as sandy loam which is rich in
humus well drained is preferred.
• Heavy soil is avoided because thy produce rough,
ill shaped roots with a number of small fibrous
laterals which reduces its market value.
• Optimum pH: 5.5 -7.0.
• At least 4-5 times ploughing so as to make the soil
very loose and smooth

17. Manure and fertilizer
• Well rotten 20 ton FYM, 100 Kg N, 80 Kg P, 40
Kg K per hectare is recommended under Nepalese
condition.
• Half dose of N and full dose of FYM, P and K
should be added to the soil before sowing.
• Remaining half N is top dressed in 2 split doses
i.e. during early plant growth and root
formation stage.
• Foliar application of urea (2%) enhances vegetative
growth at initial stage of the crop.

18. Seed rate and planting season
Seed rate:
Radish : 450-600 gm/ropani
• Asiatic or tropical types: 10 kg/ha
• Europe or temperate type: 12-14 kg/ha
Sowing time:
• In general,
High hills: March – September
Mid hills: July – December
Terai/plains: September – January
• Planting time depends on the varieties and
agro climatic conditions

19. Method of sowing and Spacing
• Sown in ridges usually 23-25 cm high to facilitate proper
root formation.
• Shallow furrow of 2 cm (1.5–3 cm) are prepared on the
ridges using a stick.
• Seeds are sown thinly in the shallow furrow and covered
with soil.
Spacing:
• European type: 20-30 cm X 2-8 cm
• Asiatic type: 45 cm X 5-10 cm.
• Seeds germinate in 5-10 days of sowing.
• If moisture is lacking in soil, immediate light irrigation is
needed after sowing.

20. Irrigation
• Radish requires plenty of water from sowing to
harvest and frequency of irrigation depends on
season and type of soil.
• During the hotter months frequent irrigation at an
interval of 5-7 days is necessary.
• If the soil dries up during the root development
period the roots become pungent, tough, rough
and unattractive.
• After every irrigation, light hoeing is done to break
the soil crust.

21. Intercultural and weed control
• Thinning: to maintain the proper spacing of plants
• Weeding: 2-3 weeding are required and shallow
hoeing to facilitate proper soil aeration.
Earthing up:
• One earthing up at early stage of plant growth.
• Second hoeing and earthing up are done when roots
growth picks up.

22. Harvesting and Yield
• It is a short duration crops and takes 30-60 days to reach
marketable maturity
• Radish should be harvested when the root are still tender.
• The roots are pulled out along with tops and washed.
• A light irrigation before harvesting facilitates the lifting of
roots.
Varieties Harvest time Yield
European 25-30 days after sowing 8 tons/ha
Asiatic 40-50 days after sowing 15 - 30 ton/ha

23. Use of plant growth regulators:
• Germination is stimulated when seeds are sown
after soaking in NAA (10-20 ppm) solution.
• Seed treated with GA3 (5 ppm) gives high
germination, enhancing its yield.
Storage
• It can be stored under room temperature for 3-
4 days.
• It can be stored for 2 months in cold storage at
0ºC and 90-95% RH.

24. Seed production
• Seeds of temperate types produced only in
hills and tropical types in plains.
• Cross pollinated crop - honey bees are main
pollinators.
• Isolation distance: 1600 meters
Two method of seed production:
Root to seed production
Seed to seed production

25. Methods of Seed production
Seed production is done by two methods:
1. Seed to seed method:
• Radish plant with root is left in the field and
allowed to produce seed stalks.
• Spacing: 60 X 30 cm
• Not recommended for production of quality seeds
because the selection of good roots cannot be made
and off type plants cannot be rouged.
Average seed yield: 600- 800 kg/ha

26. 2. Root to seed method:
• Radish is harvested when roots are fully matured during mid November
to mid December.
• True to the type roots are selected for re-planting in seed production
block.
• Uprooting is done when the roots have attained marketable maturity and
before they develop pithiness.
• Over mature roots do not establish well and produce low seed yield.
• Stecklings are prepared by chopping off 2/3rd
of the root and retaining
only a new leaf growth .
• Cut (slant cut) off the lower portion leaving 6-10 cm upper part of the
root.
• Chopping of roots is done for convenience in re-planting
• Top leaves are then trimmed (1/3rd ) without injuring the crown.
• Cut roots treated with Bavistin @ 2g/L of water for 10-15 minutes before
transplanting.

28. • Spacing: 90 X 20 cm
• Irrigation: immediately after transplanting,
then 7-8 days interval
• Spraying of GA3 @ 100 ppm after
transplanting increase the percentage of
flowering in Pusa Himal, Japanease White etc.
• Harvest: When 70% pods are brown,
threshing and drying

29. Advantages:
–Thorough examination of roots for off type roots
is possible
–Production of seed of highest quality
Disadvantages:
–Low seed yield
–Labor intensive (uprooting, replanting,
preparation of stecklings etc.)
–Root rot causing micro organisms may enter the
roots through cut surface.

30. Physiological disorders
1. Internal browning: Due to boron defieciency
2. Splitting or cracking: High temperatuture
fluctuation, high dose of N2 fertilizers, Boron or
calcium deficiency, seen more in long rooted
radish

31. 3. Pithiness/sponginess: due to over maturity
4. Forking:
• Common disorder mainly caused due to
Excessive moisture due to root development
May occurs in heavy soil due to soil compaction
Closer spacing

32. Plant protection measures – Insect Pests
1. Aphids (Myzus persicae, Lipaphis erysimi,
Brevicoryne brassicae)
• Suck the sap from the tender parts of the plants.
• In severe case, leaves become curled, yellowed and
finally die.
Control
– Same as in Cole crops.

33. 2. Mustard Sawfly ( Athalia proxima)
• Most common pest in radish and turnip.
• Attacks when the crop are in vegetative
and flowering stage.
• Damage is done by the larvae by biting
holes in leaves and pods.
Control:
• Hand picking and destruction of larvae
• Spraying of 0.005 % Fipronyl or 0.005
% Lambda-cyhalothrin were found
effective (Ghule and Bagde, 2016)

34. 3. Flea Beetle (Phyllotreta Sp.)
• Adult feed on the vegetative part of the plant
causing small holes.
• Affected leaves become skletonized.
Control
• Uproot the weed host
• Spray Malathion (0.1%) or Lambda-Cyhalothrin at
10-15 days interval

35. Plant protection measures – Disease
A. Fungal diseases:
1. White rust (Albugo candida)
• Produces a white powdery substance in patches on
the underside of the leaves.
• Mainly appears on leaves and flowering shoots
which get deformed and bear only malformed
flowers.
Control:
• Destroy diseased crop debris
• Grow resistant cultivar (IHR-1-1)
• Spray Dithane Z-78 (0.2-0.3%).

36. 2. Alternaria blight (A. raphani)
• Yellowish and slightly raised lesions
appear first on the leaves.
• It also infect the stem, pods and seeds.
Control
• Adopt crop rotation
• Seed treatment in hot water 50ºC for 30
min
• Spray Bavistin (0.2%) or Dithane M-45
(0.2%) at 7-10 days interval.

37. 3. Powdery mildew (Erysiphe sp.)
• White powdery patches appear on the upper
surface of the leaves.
• Opposite to the spots, leaves turn brown or
purplish in color.
Control
• Spray the crop with Karathane (0.2%) at 10 days
interval.

38. B. Bacterial Diseases:
1. Black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris)
• Roots have black patches and poor development.
• At severe condition the black patches develops in the whole
root and causes considerable loss in yield.
• Symptoms of this disease resembles to that of boron
deficiency
Control
• Adopt proper crop rotation excluding crucifers
• Hot water treatments of seed at 52ºC for 30 min
• Use resistant varieties
Similar to Cole crops

39. C. Viral Disease
1. Radish mosaic virus
• First appear as small, circular to irregular, chlorotic
lesions in between and adjacent to the veins.
• Little or no leaf distortions take place.
• Transmitted through aphids.
Control:
• Destroy infected plants
• Control aphids

40. Carrot
• Scientific name: Daucus carota L.
• Family: Umbeliferae
• Chromosome number (2n) = 18
• Carrot is a popular cool season root crop cultivated in both tropical and
temperate regions.
• It is taken raw as salad, cooked in curries and is made into pickle
and sweetmeats.
• Sweet preparation ‘Gajarko haluwa’ prepared out of carrot is
delicious and popular.

41. • Carrot is used in soap, to make salad and pickles
• Its juice is sometimes used for coloring butter
• Leaves are said to be eaten in many countries
• It have medicinal property too
• Carrots are available in different colors:
Red color: Lycopene
Orange color: Beta carotene
Purple color: Anthocyanin
Yellow color: Xanthophyll

43. Nutritional value of carrot
Rich in Carotene, Vitamin A, thiamine and riboflavin

44. Carrot production in Nepal
Crop Area (Ha) Production
(MT)
Yield
(Mt/Ha)
Carrot 3,264 37,176 11.39
MoALD, 2021/22

45. Carrot
• Annual or biennial herb
• Leaves are pinnately compound with long petioles
• Edible portion is enlarged tap root
• Good quality root have maximum cortex and minimum core
• Flowers are perfect and so called carrot seeds are actually a
fruits.

46. Carrot production in Nepal
Major carrot producing district of Nepal are:
Khotang, Morang, Bhaktapur, Dhading, Kapilbastu, Kailai,
Salyan, Rupandehi, Banke, Araghakhanchi, Chitwan etc.
Origin of carrot
• Native of south-western Asia especially
Afghanistan, where largest morphological diversity
has been found.
MoALD, 2018/19
Crop Area (Ha) Production (MT) Yield
(Mt/Ha)
Carrot 3,360 37,211 11.12

47. Varieties of carrot
• As radish, carrot also have two groups which are
categorized as:
1. Tropical or Asian varieties:
• Example: Pusa Meghali, Pusa kesar, Selection – 233 etc
2. Temperate or European varieties:
• On the basis of root, carrot can be classified into two
groups:
• Nantes type: Slender root with stumpy end. Eg. Nantes
Forto, Pusa Yamdagni, Half Long Nantes, Coreless etc.
• Chantany type: Wedge shaped root with tapering end.
Eg. Danveer, Imperator, Streamlines, Royal Chantany,
Red Chantany etc.

54. New Kuroda

55. Nantes forto

56. Carrot varieties released in Nepal
Nantes forto, New Kuroda, Nepa dream, Sigma and Kuroda mark

57. Climate, Soil and Field preparation:
Climate:
• On the basis of temperature requirement for root development the carrot
varieties are classified as Tropical or Asian varieties and Temperate or
European varieties
• Tropical types required a higher temperature whereas the temperate types
need a lower temperature for normal growth and development of roots
• An average temperature of 18-20 ºC is considered as optimum for root
development
• Under high temperature, the color of the root above ground becomes green
and underground parts becomes white which indicates a lack of carotene
pigment development
• Carotene content is reduced at temperature below 15.6ºC and above 21.1ºC.
• Poor light is essential for producing good carrot roots.
• Tropical types produce roots even at high temperature of 25ºC.

58. Soil and Field preparation:
• Well drained sandy loam soil
• Soil pH: 6.5 – 7.0.
Field preparation
• similar to radish.

59. Manure and fertilizer
• Incorporate well rotten FYM or compost @ 30
Ton/ha, during the filed preparation.
• Inorganic fertilizers @ 80 Kg N, 50 Kg P, 60 Kg K
per hectare or 3:2:2 kg/ropani is recommended.
• Half dose of N and complete dose of FYM, P and K
should be applied during filed preparation.
• The remaining half N is top dressed at 45- 50 days
after sowing.
• Excess nitrogen reduces quality, damage the content
of sugar, dry matter, carotene and vitamin C.

60. Seed rate and planting season
Seed rate: 6-8 kg /ha
Agro-ecological zones Sowing time
Terai September - October
Mid hills August - November
High hills May - July
Sowing time:

61. Method of sowing and spacing
• Carrot can be shown in flat beds as well as on the ridges.
• Flat beds should be divided into smaller plots to convenient
for irrigation and intercultural operations.
• Ridges and furrow method facilitates better root development.
• Germination is slow (10-12 days) and better to soak the seeds
in the water for 12-24 hours before sowing to hasten the
germination.
• Several successive sowing at the intervals of 10-15 days helps
to ensure a continuous harvest of marketable roots.
Spacing:
• Asian type: 45 X 5-10 cm
• European type: 30 X 10 cm

62. Irrigation, Intercultural and weed Control
Irrigation:
• Irrigation in 5-7 days interval is necessary
depending upon the soil moisture condition.
Intercultural and weed control
• Thinning: At seedling stage to maintain optimum
spacing.
• Earthing up: for better development of roots
earthing up operation is done.
• Weeding: necessary at early stage
• Hoeing: time to time hoeing for proper aeration

63. Harvesting and Yield
Harvesting
• Carrot should be harvested at the proper stage of
maturity otherwise over matured roots become
fluffy and unfit for consumption.
• A light irrigation before harvesting facilitates root
lifting. After harvesting the roots should be washed
and cleaned.
Yield:
• European varieties: 10-15 ton/ha
• Asian varieties: 25-30 ton/ha

64. Storage
• Before storage and marketing leaves are removed
and are graded according to size.
• Carrots can be stored for 3-4 days under ordinary
conditions.
• At temperature of 0-4ºC with 93-98% RH, it can
be stored for 3-4months.
• Carrots can be stored for 3-4 days at room
temperature.
• Under controlled conditions 0-4 °C and RH 93-
96% , they can be stored up to 3-4 months
• Exposure to ethylene in storage results in
formation of bitter tasting, Isocoumarin
compound
• Carrot should not be stored with ethylene
producing fruits like apple, banana etc.

65. Seed production
• Both seed to seed and root to seed methods are followed
for carrot seed production as in radish.
• Asian type are annual whereas European type (temperate
type) being biennial remains vegetative in the first year
and reproductive in the following growing season.
• Biennial types require low temperature i.e. around 4-10ºC
for 4- 8 weeks depending upon the cultivars for bolting.
• Only the Asiatic varieties produce seeds in plains. The
European varieties seed production is limited to hills
only.
• Isolation distance: 1000 – 1600 meters

66. • Asian types varieties seeds are sown during August -
September in plains while European cultivars are sown
during July – August in hills.
• Mostly, root to seed method of seed production is
followed in carrot.
• Good quality and high yielding roots (Steckling) of a
variety are selected for better quality and higher seed
yield.
• Spacing: 75X10-30 cm.

67. Harvesting and Yield
Harvesting
• The seed crop is harvested when the
second order (secondary) umbels are
fully ripped and third order umbels
have started to turn brown. After
harvesting umbels are cured for 5-15
days. Seeds are then threshed, cleaned
and packed.
Yield:
• European type: 300-500 kg seeds/ha
• Asiatic varieties: 1200 – 2500 kg
seeds /ha

68. Physiological disorder/ production constraints
1. Carrot splitting or cracking
• Might be controlled by genetic factors
• Caused by heavy side dressing of N fertilizers
in the early stage, low chloride in the soil
• Sowing in wide spacing, large size of roots are
also found to be responsible for splitting.
Control
• Grow resistant varieties
• Sow the seeds in right spacing.
• Supply recommended dose of nitrogen
• Maintain the optimum moisture in the field

69. 2. Elongated root or forking
• There is secondary elongating growth in the roots that gives a look of
fork like structure to the root.
• The disorder is due to the excess moisture during the root
development of carrot.
• It also occurs in heavy soil due to the soil compactness.
Control:
– Can be corrected by reducing the moisture from the field, by
balanced irrigation
– By sowing in sandy loam or light soil having soils of loose and
friable in nature.

70. 3. Cavity spots
– Characterized by the appearance of cavity in the cortex and in
most cases the subtending epidermis collapse to form a pitted
lesion.
– Caused due to calcium deficiency, increased level of P and delay
in harvesting (Maynard et.al., 1963).
– However, several studies have been confirmed that cavity spots is
also caused by soil-borne fungus - Pythium sulcatum, P. violae.
Control
• Incorporate calcium containing fertilizers in the soil
• Harvest the crop in optimum time.

72. Plant protection measures – Insect Pests
1. Carrot rust fly (Psila rosae)
• Adults don’t do any damage, but after the eggs hatch,
larvae immediately burrow into the soil and start feeding
on the roots
• Wilting and redness of foliage are the main symptoms
about the ground.
Control:
• Grow resistant varieties – Nantes
• Sowing should be done at proper spacing to avoid thinning
• Destroy the thinned plants immediately
• Incorporate Dimethoate (0.1%) in the soil
• Other insect pests are similar to that of radish.

73. Plant protection measures – Diseases
A. Fungal disease:
1. Alternaria blight (A. dauci)
• Damage symptom and control are same as that of
radish

74. 2. Cercospora leaf spot ( Cercospora corarae)
• Symptoms appear first as elongated lesions along
the edge of the leaves resulting in curling.
• Dark lesion may develop on the petiole, also
sometime girdling and killing the leaf.
Control
• Seed treatment with fungicide like Cerasan or
Agrosan.
• Spray Zineb or Dithane Z-78 at 7-10 days interval.

75. 3. Water soft rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum)
• It causes decay of carrot in storage. Affected roots
become soft, watery and white mycelium with black
sclerotia develops rapidly.
• Sometimes it also infects roots in the field.
Control:
• Follow crop rotation and phytosanitary measures.
• Select affected roots and destroy them
• Spray Dithane M-45 (0.2%) or Bavistin (0.2%) in the
field and storage.

76. 4. Black rot (Alternaria radicina)
• It affects the foliage and roots of carrot in both field
and storage.
• The affected roots develops irregular to circular
sunken black areas and finally decay.
Control:
• Similar to water soft rot.

77. B. Bacterial disease
1. Bacterial soft rot (Erwinia
carotovora, E. atroseptica)
• This is the destructive disease of
carrot in storage and transport.
• The root is transformed partly or
wholly into soft decayed pulpy
mass. Decayed root emits foul odor.
Control:
• Avoid root injury during intercultural
operation as bacteria enter through
injury
• Store the corps at 0ºC and 90% RH.

78. C. Mycoplasmal disease:
1. Carrot Yellows (Chlorogenus callistephi)
• The disease appears as a yellowing of younger central
leaves, while the outer older leaves are reddish or purple.
• The youngest central leaves are dwarfed and petioles are
twisted this diseases is transmitted through six spotted leaf
hopper.
Control:
• Frequent weeding inside and outside the field reduces
hiding place of insect vector.
• Spray Malathion @ 1 mL/L of water at weekly intervals or
Imidacloprid (0.005%) to control vector.

79. Turnip
• Scientific name: Brassica rapa L.
• Chromosome number (2n) = 20
• Turnip is grown in temperate, subtropical and tropical
regions of Nepal
• It is mainly grown for it’s enlarged roots.
• Thinned seedlings are also used as greens.
• It is taken raw as salad, cooked in curries and is made into
pickles.

81. Botany
• Fleshy thickened underground portion.
• The below ground portion may be white or yellow
while the skin color of above ground portion is red,
purple, white, green or yellow.

82. Nutritional value of Turnip
According to the USDA, approximately 100 grams of raw
turnip contains:
• 28 kilocalories energy
• 6.43 grams carbohydrates.
• 0.9 grams protein.
• 0.1 gram fat.
• 1.8 grams fiber.
• 21 milligrams vitamin C.
• 0.1 micrograms vitamin K
• 0.03 milligrams Riboflavin
• 30 milligrams Calcium
• 11 milligrams magnesium etc

83. Turnip production in Nepal
Major turnip producing district of Nepal are – Khotang,
Sunsari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Dolakha, Kavre, Lalitpur,
Kathmandu, Nuwakot, Dang, Banke, Rolpa etc
Origin of Turnip
• Turnip is believed to have originated from a wild form of
Eurasian (Russia and Siberia) origin and has been known for
about 4000 years.
Crop Area
(Ha)
Production
(MT)
Yield
(Mt/Ha)
Turnip 457 5,900 12.92
MoALD, 2021/22

84. Varieties of Turnip
Turnip also have two groups which are categorized as:
1. Temperate or European varieties:
• These are sweeter, more palatable and better for salad
• Late maturing, less heat resistant and produce seed
only in hills
Example: Purple top white globe, Snowball, Golden
ball, Pusa chandrima, Pusa swarnima etc.
2. Tropical or Asian varieties:
• These are more pungent and good for pickles and
cooking
• Early maturing, more heat resistant and produce seed
in plains
• Example: Local red round, Pusa Kanchan, Pusa Sweti

85. Turnip varieties released in Nepal
Purple Top White Globe (PTWG) is a single temperate variety most popular in
Nepal.
Fuyonasho, Kathmandu rato, Pusa chandrima, Pusa kanehan, Pusa sweti and
Golden ball are also the potential variety for Nepal

86. Climate:
– As compared to radish and carrot it is a hardy crop and it can tolerate frost
and mild freezing temperature, some varieties of turnip can be grown
under high temperature conditions
– Cool and moist climate is most favorable for growing turnip. However, it
can also be grown where summers are mild.
– Roots develop best flavor, texture, and size at a temperature of 10°–15°C.
– It grows best under air temperature 10- 18°C and soil temperature 18-
28°C
– Short day length and cool weather favor proper development of roots.
– Long day and high temperature induce early bolting even without
adequate development of roots.
– In hot weather, roots become fibrous, tough and more pungent as well as
bitter in taste.
Soil and field preparation: Similar to radish

87. Manure and fertilizer
• Incorporate well rotten FYM or compost @ 20-25
Ton/ha, during the filed preparation. Inorganic
fertilizers @ 80 Kg N, 120 Kg P, 60 Kg K per
hectare is recommended.
• Half dose of N and Complete dose of FYM, P and K
should be added to the soil before sowing.
• Remaining half of N is given in 2 split doses: first
at the time of root formation and the second during
development of root knobs.

88. Seed rate and planting season
Seed rate: 1.3 – 3.5 kg /ha
Sowing time:
Agro-ecological zones Sowing time
Terai September - November
Mid hills July - February
High hills May - July
Planting time depends on the varieties and agro climatic conditions

89. Method of sowing
• Sowing is generally practiced on ridges to facilitates
the proper drainage and better development of roots.
• Sowing is done in lines 1-1.5 cm deep and when
germination completed thinning is performed.
Spacing: 30 cm X 5 – 7 cm.

90. Irrigation, Interculture and weed control
Irrigation:
• Irrigation requirement of turnip is similar to that of
radish
Interculture and weed control:
• Thinning: Generally done 10-15 days after
germination and plant arespaced 10-15 cm apart.
• Earthing up: 25 -30 days after sowing
• Weeding and hoeing: Similar to radish

91. Harvesting, Yield and Storage
Harvesting:
• The variety PTWG root is matured in 60-70 days.
• Turnip roots are harvested when they are still tender and
attain the marketable size (5-10 cm in diameter).
• Delayed harvesting results in pithiness developing in the
roots.
• Root becomes fibrous if they are not harvested at
marketable stage.
• The crop should be irrigated before harvesting as it
facilitates easy uprooting.
Yield: 10-15 ton/ha
Storage: Similar to carrot

92. Seed Production
Same as in Radish.
• Asiatic turnips produce seed in plains, whereas European
ones in hills only.
• The selected roots are used to prepare the stecklings by
pruning the root tip from the base and leave one-third of
crown after trimming off the top.
• Stecklings are transplanted at 60cm × 60cm apart in the
hills and 45cm × 35cm apart in the plains.
• Isolation distance: 1000– 1600 meters
• Harvest: at 70% of the pods turn light yellow
• Average seed yield: 500–600 kg/ha

93. Physiological disorder/ production
constraints
1. Brown heart:
• It is caused by the deficiency of boron
and common in high pH soil (pH above
7).
• Symptoms are characterized by the
appearance of grey or brown color in the
inner portion of the affected roots.
Control:
• Spray the crop with boric acid (0.2%) 2-
3 times at vegetative stage.

94. Plant protection measures
Similar to that of radish.