Crop guide

Turnip

Turnip (Shaljam) Crop Program – 1. Soil Preparation Perform 2–3 deep ploughings to obtain a fine seedbed. Apply well-rotted FYM (Farm Yard Manure): 3–4 tons per acre before the last ploughing. Turnip grows well in sandy loam soil with good drainage.

Rabi Sowing Aug–Nov Harvest Mar–Apr 100–120 maund per acre

Soil Preparation

Perform 2–3 deep ploughings to obtain a fine seedbed.

Apply well-rotted FYM (Farm Yard Manure): 3–4 tons per acre before the last ploughing.

Turnip grows well in sandy loam soil with good drainage.

Ideal soil pH: 6.0–7.5.

Sowing Time (Pakistan)

Region Sowing Time
Punjab August – November
Sindh September – December
KPK September – November
Balochistan August – October

Optimum temperature: 15–25°C for best root formation.

Seed Rate and Spacing

Seed Rate: 2–3 kg per acre.

Row-to-row spacing: 1.5 feet (45 cm).

Plant-to-plant spacing: 4–6 inches (10–15 cm).

Sow seeds 1–2 cm deep in moist soil.

Seed Treatment

Treat seeds with Carbendazim (2g/kg) to prevent damping-off and fungal infection.

Irrigation Schedule

Growth Stage Irrigation Frequency
After Sowing Light irrigation immediately
Early Growth Every 7 days
Root Formation Every 10 days
Maturity Avoid overwatering

Water stress or waterlogging can cause cracked or deformed roots.

Fertilizer Application (Per Acre)

Fertilizer Quantity Time of Application
DAP 1 bag (50 kg) At land preparation
Urea ½ bag (25 kg) 15 days after germination
Urea ½ bag (25 kg) 30 days after germination
SOP ½ bag (25 kg) At root formation

Zinc and boron improve root size, color, and sweetness.

Weed Management

Weed Damage Control Product
Bathu (Lambsquarters) Germinates with the crop and shades the young rosette, so the root stays small and misshapen. Pendimethalin 33%EC
Horse Purslane (Itsit) In early sowings it germinates with the crop and takes the bed's moisture before the plants cover the ground, leaving the roots small. Pendimethalin 33%EC
Senji (Sweet Clover) Fills the space between the rows in the cool months and takes water and nitrogen while the root is swelling. Take it out at the 20-day weeding
Khabbal (Bermuda Grass) Holds the space between the rows for the whole of this short crop, taking water and nitrogen, and the roots stay light where it is thick. Dig the runners out while the bed is being prepared
Purple Nutsedge (Deela) Its tubers crowd the root zone and push the swelling turnip out of shape. Hand weed at 20 days and again whenever it shows, because it comes again from any tuber left behind; lift out the tubers that are turned up while the bed is being prepared

First weeding: 20 days after sowing.

Use Pendimethalin 33% EC @ 1 liter per acre as pre-emergence herbicide (within 2–3 days after sowing).

Pest and Disease Management

Problem Symptoms Control
Aphids Leaves curl and turn yellow Spray Imidacloprid
Cutworm Plants cut from base Chlorpyrifos soil drenching
Downy Mildew Yellow-white patches on leaves Mancozeb + Metalaxyl spray
Root Rot Wilting and soft roots Improve drainage + Carbendazim drench