International Journal of Horticulture 2015, Vol.5, No.8, 1
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5
2
1 Materials and methods
To identify suitable turnip variety for Nepali
consumers, Horticulture Research Division was
conducted turnip varietal improvement work. The
local turnip genotype from Kathmandu valley was
used as the base material to select red root adopting
positive mass selection approach. It was done in
various steps, viz. selection of desirable plants from
base population and mixing their seed to raise next
generation, evaluation in research station and
evaluation in farmers field. The procedure of genotype
selection and evaluation is given below:
1.1
Genotype selection
An old local genotype of turnip from Kathmandu
valley was used as base population which was grown
in a large plot. The 200 plants were selected on the
basis of phenotypic performance for characters like
size, colour and yield. The selected plants were used
for seed production and their seed were mixed
together to grow next generation. This process was
repeated 3 years (2010 to 2012) to select genotype
HRDTUR001.
1.2
Genotype evaluation
The performance of selected genotype was evaluated
in 2013 and 2014 at different locations; Lalitpur,
Kavre, Dailekh and Pakhribas. The experiment was
laid out in randomize complete block design (RCBD)
with five replications in all the years and locations.
The performance was evaluated for colour, size, taste,
yield and other characters using Purple Top as
standard check. Plot size was 1.8 m
2
with spacing of
15 X 10 cm and seed was sown on 3
rd
week of
September. Manure and fertilizers were applied at the
rate of 10 t/ha FYM and NPK 80:120:60 kg/ha. Cultural
practices were carried out as standard of the crop.
1.3
Consumers’ acceptability analysis
An evaluation panel on the basis of size, shape, colour
and taste measured consumer acceptability by using
the 1-9 hedonic scale (Thompson, 1996) in which 1
stands for inferiority and 9 for superiority. Based on
the cumulative records of all characters consumers’
acceptability was determined.
2 Results and Discussion
2.1 Characteristics of selected genotype
After series of selection a genotype HRDCAU001
have good size (225g) with better taste and excellent
colour was selected from the local turnip available in
Kathmandu valley. Plant structure of this genotype is
upright with slightly cut leaves. Roots are medium in
size, nearly flattened globe shape, smooth with red
skin. Flash is white, firm crispy and mildly sweet
flavoured. It is an early maturing (55-60 days). Yield
is 25-30 t/ha (Table 1).
Table 1 Major characters of selected genotype HRDTUR001 at
HRD, Khumaltar (2010-2012)
SN Characters
Mean
1
Root skin colour
Red
2
Flesh colour
Pure white
3
Root shape
Flattish round
4
Root weight (g)
224.45g
5
Days to first harvest
55 days after sowing
6
Days to last harvest
65 days after sowing
7
Yield
30.60 t/ha
8
Plant structure
Upright
9
Leaf type
Slightly –serrated
10
Leaf colour
Light green
2.2 Nutrient analysis
Turnip is finest sources of essential vitamins, minearls
and anti-oxidants that can offer protection from
vitamin A deficiency, osteoporosis, iron-deficiency
anemia, and believed to protect from cardiovascular
diseases and possibly from colon cancers. This
genotype is notably good in Carotene, vitamin-C and
Iron. (Table 2).
Table 2 Nutrient per 100 grams red root and green leaves of turnip (DFTQC, 2012)
Root/leaves
Minerals (g) Fiber (g)
Calcium (mg)
Iron (mg)
Carotene (µg)
Vitamin C (mg)
Turnip red root
0.7
1.3
47.7
2.3
1.2
-
Turnip green leaves
2.2
1.0
710.0
24.4
2136.0
180.0
2.3 Performance evaluation trial at HRD, Khumaltar
Root yield is the major determinant variable for
selecting a turnip variety for its commercialization
and income generation capability. In Horticulture
Research Division Khumaltar, the genotype on root
yield was significant (Table 3). HRDTUR001
