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2.8 Recommended domain
Turnip is best adapted to cool or moderate climates.
Mid hills are the main recommended domains for the
cultivation of the turnip genotype HRDTUR001. Mid
hills regions, where the elevation ranges 1000 to 1500
masl are mainly suitable to grow the turnip genotype
HRDTUR001. Turnip can be grown in all kinds of
soils but it grows well in loam soil having sufficient
humus. The well-drained, sandy loam soil is ideal for
its cultivation. The extremely light sandy soil or too
heavy soils should be avoided. In such soils either the
plant growth is hampered or forked or defective roots
are formed which are unfit for market. The pH level
should be between 6.0 and 6.8, but the turnips will be
able to grow in anything up to level 7.5.
Cool and
moist climate is most favourable for growing turnip.
However, it can also be grown where summers are
mild. The roots develop best flavour, texture, and size
at a temperature of 10°–15°C. The short day length
and cool weather favour proper development of roots.
The long day and high temperature induce early
bolting even without adequate development of roots.
In hot weather, roots become fibrous, tough and more
pungent. The Asiatic types can tolerate high
temperature, while temperate types are quick-growing
and flourish well under cool weather. The areas under
FFT were dominated for cultivation of different
vegetables like potato, tomato, cauliflower, cabbage,
onion and garlic. With the development of new turnip
variety which is transplanted in September and
harvested by October-November, tomato-turnip-garden
pea cropping system will emerge as a most beneficial
cropping system particularly for mid hills. Similarly,
maize based cropping system (maize-turnip-pea) is
also possible in mid hills of Nepal.
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge all the farmers for their active
participation and cooperation during on farm research. All the
support staff working at Horticulture Research Division,
Khumaltar, Agriculture Research Station, Dailekh and
Agriculture Research Station, Pakhribas are also acknowledged
for their help during the experiment.
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