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Turnips

Last updated on September 20, 2024

Turnips

Growing Turnips

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Varieties

Swedes (Rutabagas)

Laurentian, American Purple Top (Trial).

Turnips

Purple Top White Globe, Fuku Komachi (All white).

See your seed dealer for the most recent variety recommendations.

 

Seed Treatment

Use seed treated with Thiram seed protectant. The use of hot-water-treated seed is a precaution against blackleg and black rot.
 
For control of Pythium damping off, use seed treated with Apron XL LS seed protectant.    For control of damping off and seedling blight caused by Pythium spp., Fusarium spp. and Rhizoctonia spp., use seed treated with Apron MAXX RTA.  
 

Seeding and Spacing

For summer harvest, sow as early in the spring as possible. For later harvests sow up to the 7th of June. Seed 375 to 560 g/ha (150 to 225 g/acre) of seed at a depth of 1.5 to 2.5 cm. Space rows 60 cm apart and plants within the row 15 cm apart.

 

Fertilizer

A soil test is necessary to determine phosphate and potash requirements. Use the Vegetable Production Guide: Nutrient Management (PDF, 310KB) for recommendations based on soil test results.

Manure

Apply the year before and not in the year of seeding.

Fertilizer

Broadcast and disc in 45 kg/ha (18 kg/acre) nitrogen and the required phosphate and potash. Boron at 4.5 kg/ha (1.8 kg/acre) should be added to the fertilizer mix. If further boron is required, use Solubor at 0.5 to 1.1 kg/ha (0.2 to 0.45 kg/acre) when turnips are 2.5 cm in diameter (see Brown Heart, below).

 

Harvesting and Storage

Turnips should be stored at a temperature of 0°C and a relative humidity of 90 – 95%.

Handling roots with care during harvest reduces injury and rots during storage. Store only healthy roots in clean tote-bins or pile no more than 2 m deep in bulk, ensuring there is good air circulation. Wash and trim before shipping. Waxing improves appearance and shelf-life.

 

Turnip Weed Management

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Pre-plant Incorporation

Pre-plant Incorporation: Herbicide Application Rates
Product Rate PHI* Comments

Bonanza 480

(trifluralin)

Group 3

 1.7 to 2.3 L/ha
(700 to 900 mL/acre)

Apply in at least 100 L/ha (40 L/acre) water at 275 kPa		 N/A
  • Registered on rutabagas only.
  • Not registered on turnip.
  • Rates vary with soil types, see label for detail.
  • Control seedling annuals but not shepherd’s-purse, groundsel, cudweed or the mustards.
  • Apply from 3 weeks before seeding and incorporate within 24 hours to a depth of 8 to 10 cm. Cross-discing is recommended.
  • Seeding may begin immediately after incorporation.
  • Not effective on organic soils with more than 15% organic matter or soils with less than 2% organic matter.
  • Effectiveness is reduced in cold, wet soils.
  • If manure is spread prior to application ensure it has been thoroughly mixed into soil with at least 2 tillage operations prior to application.
  • Do not apply on sandy or sandy loam soils.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

Eptam 8-E

(EPTC)

Group 8

 3.25 to 4.25 L/ha
(1.3 to 1.7 L/acre)		 N/A
  • Registered on rutabaga and turnip.
  • Use the lower rate on sandy soil, the higher rate on heavier mineral soils.
  • Apply 6 to 10 days before planting and incorporate to 5 to 7.5 cm using power driven rotary cultivator set at 5 to 7.5 cm or cross-disc set at 7.5 to 10 cm.
  • Treatment will control seedling grasses and only suppress some broadleaf weeds.
  • Results at these rates will probably be poor in northern BC and on heavy mineral soils.
  • Use on mineral soils only.
  • Do not enter treated area for 24 hours.

Devrinol 50 DF

(napropamide)

Group 15

2.2 to 4.4 kg/ha
(0.9 to 1.8 kg/acre)

Apply in 200 to 900 L/ha (80 to 365 L/acre) water

 60
  • Registered on rutabagas only.
  • Not registered on turnip.
  • Apply once per season.
  • Controls a range of annual grasses and broadleaved weeds.
  • Shepherd’s-purse and lady’s-thumb may escape treatment.
  • Do not apply to soils with more than 10% organic matter.
  • Do not plant crops not listed on the label for 12 months after the last application.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

Devrinol 2-XT

(napropamide)

Group 15

4.58 to 9.17 L/ha
(1.85 to 3.71 L/acre)

Apply in 200 to 900 L/ha (80 to 365 L/acre) water

 60
  • Registered on rutabagas only.
  • Not registered on turnip.
  • Apply once per season.
  • Controls a range of annual grasses and broadleaved weeds.
  • Shepherd’s-purse and lady’s-thumb may escape treatment.
  • Do not apply to soils with more than 10% organic matter.
  • Do not plant crops not listed on the label for 12 months after the last application.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF, 421KB)
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF, 703KB)

 

Post-emergence

Post-emergence: Herbicide Application Rates
Product Rate PHI* Comments

Venture L

(fluazifop-P-butyl & S-isomer)

Group 1

 . barnyard grass (2-5 leaf stage):
0.8 L/ha (0.32 L/acre)

proso millet (2-5 leaf):
1.0 L/ha (0.4 L/acre)

foxtails (2-4 leaf):
1.4 L/ha (0.56 L/acre)

quackgrass (3-5 leaf):
2.0 L/ha (0.8 L/acre) 		45
  • Registered on rutabaga only.
  • Not registered on turnip.
  • Annual bluegrass and broadleaved weeds are not controlled.
  • Do not apply more than once per season.
  • Apply in 50 to 200 L/ha (20 to 80 L/acre) water at 200 to 300 kPa.
  • Apply using 425 kPa pressure for dense weed infestations or dense crop canopies.
  • Warning: Women capable of bearing children should avoid exposure to Venture.
  • Do not handle more than 50 kg a.i. (400 L product) per day.
  • Use a closed cab when applying more than 33 kg a.i. (264 L product) per day.
  • Observe a plantback interval of 12 months for crops not listed.
  • Do not re-enter treated area for 12 hours.

Poast Ultra

(sethoxydim)

Group 1

Note:  No longer produced

Annual grasses (incl. volunteer cereals):

320 mL/ha (130 mL/ac)

 

Annual grasses & quackgrass suppression:

470 mL/ha (190 mL/ac)

 

Quackgrass:

1.1 L/ha (445 mL/ac)		 77
  • Registered on turnip only.
  • Not registered on rutabaga.
  • For control of annual grasses and quackgrass suppression, add Merge adjuvant using a rate of 0.5 - 1.0 L/ha (0.2 - 0.4 L/ac).
  • For control of quackgrass, add Merge adjuvant using a rate of 1.0 - 2.0 L/ha (0.4 - 0.8 L/ac).
  • Annual bluegrass is not controlled.
  • Apply when annual weeds are in the 1 to 6 leaf stage and when quackgrass is in the 1 to 3 leaf stage.
  • Apply in 50 to 200 L/ha (20 to 80 L/acre) of water at 240 kPa pressure..
  •  See label for water volume and pressure when weed infestations or crop canopies are dense.
  • Observe a 30 day plantback interval for crops not listed.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

Lontrel XC

(clopyralid)

Group 4

0.25 to 0.34 L/ha (100 to 140 mL/ac)

Apply in 200 to 300 L/ha (80 to 120 L/ac) of water at 200 to 275 kPa

Rutabaga: 83

Turnip (roots): 30

Turnip (greens):  15
  • Use the rate range for turnip.
  • Use the high rate for rutabaga.
  • Apply only once per season.
  • Low rate controls Canada thistle (top growth), vetch and alsike clover.
  • High rate controls Canada thistle, scentless chamomile, wild buckwheat, perennial sow thistle (top growth), common groundsel.
  • High rate provides suppression only for sheep sorrel.
  • Apply when annual weeds are young and actively growing.
  • Treat Canada thistle before the purple bud stage.
  • Residues of Lontrel can remain in the soil the following year of use, thereby affecting growth of sensitive crops.  See label for Sensitive Crops section.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

Aim EC

(carfentrazone-ethyl)

Group 14

 37 to 117 mL/ha
(15 to 47 mL/acre)

Apply in 100 L/ha (40 L/acre) of water		 1
  • Registered on rutabaga and turnip.
  • Controls annual weeds.
  • Must be applied using hooded sprayers to weeds between the rows of the emerged crop.
  •  Use an adjuvant such as Agral 90 or Agral-Surf at 0.25% v/v (0.25 L/100 L of spray solution) or Merge at 1% v/v (1 L/100 L of spray solution).
  • Precaution:  crop injury will occur when spray drift is allowed to come in contact with green stem tissue or leaves.
  • Apply only once per growing season.

*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF, 421KB)
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF, 703KB)

 

Turnip Insect Management

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Aphids

Aphids are small, soft-bodied, slow-moving, sucking insects usually found in clusters on growing tips or undersides of leaves. Their feeding causes distortion and yellowing of leaves and build-up of a sticky substance called “honeydew” which hosts sooty mould.

Control

The Lorsban drenches applied for root maggots should give effective control of aphids. No additional control should be necessary.

Chemical Control of Aphids
Product Rate PHI* Comments

Admire 240 F

(imidacloprid)
 
Group 4A
200 mL/ha
80 mL/acre
 7
  • Registered on rutabaga and turnip.
  • Apply as a foliar spray
  • Do not make more than 1 application per crop per season.
  • Do not apply following a soil application such as a field drench using or plug drench a Group 4 insecticide.
  • Toxic to bees.  Do not apply to flowering crop or weeds if bees are visiting the treatment area.
  • Toxic to certain beneficials.
  • Do not re-enter treated area for 12 hours.

Beleaf 50 SG

(flonicamid)

Group 29
 120 to 160 g/ha
(50 to 65 g/acre)

Apply in 94 L/ha (38L/acre) of water 		3
  • Registered on rutabaga and turnip.
  • Repeat at 7 day intervals.
  • Do not apply more than 3 times per year.
  • Do not apply more than 480 g/ha (200 g/acre) of product per season.
  • Do not re-enter treated area for 12 hours.

Bartlett Superior “70” Oil

(mineral oil)

10 L/ha (4.0 L/acre)

Apply in 550 to 1100 L/ha (222 to 445 L/acre) of water at 2500 kPa

 21
  • Registered on rutabaga only.
  • Not registered on turnips.
  • Will reduce of aphid spread turnip mosaic virus.
  • Thorough coverage is essential.
  • Repeat at a 7 day interval.
  • Crop injury may occur if applied in direct sunlight or immediately prior to hot, sunny weather.
  • Apply in early morning or evening.
  • Do not apply another insecticide within 24 hours.
  • Carefully observe rate or crop injury may occur.
  • Do not apply prior to or during freezing weather or rain.
  • Do not enter treated area for 24 hours.

Superior “70” Oil

(mineral oil)

11 L/ha (4.5 L/acre)

Apply in 550 to 1100 L/ha (222 to 445 L/acre) of water at 2500 kPa

 21
  • Registered on rutabaga only.
  • Not registered on turnips.
  • Apply in 550 to 1100 L/ha (222 to 445 L/acre) of water at 2500 kPa.
  • Will reduce of aphid spread turnip mosaic virus.
  • Thorough coverage is essential.
  • Repeat at a 7 day interval.
  • Crop injury may occur if applied in direct sunlight or immediately prior to hot, sunny weather.
  • Apply in early morning or evening.
  • Do not apply another insecticide within 24 hours.
  • Carefully observe rate or crop injury may occur.
  • Do not apply prior to or during freezing weather or rain.
  • Do not enter treated area for 24 hours.

*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF, 421KB)
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF, 703KB)

 

Red Turnip Beetle

These red and black beetles are a pest in central British Columbia and Peace River areas. The dark-brown immature larvae eat foliage.

Control

This pest will be controlled if a regular root maggot control program is followed.

 

Root Maggots

The adult is a gray fly, half the size of a housefly, which lays eggs at the base of the plant throughout the season. Legless white maggots hatch and tunnel roots, making turnips unmarketable.

Contact Us to check for new registrations of products. Row cover, using insect netting fabric such as Wondermesh, has been found to provide good control of the cabbage root maggot fly.

Control

Root Maggot Soil Treatment
Product Rate PHI* Comments

Verimark

(cyantraniliprole)

Group 28

Based on 90 cm row spacing:  1.1 to 1.7 L/ha (450 to 690 mL/ac)

 21
  • Registered  on root vegetables including rutabaga and turnip.
  • Note:  this treatment will not provide season-long control.  Should be used with other registered control tools for season-long control.
  • Apply as a narrow band in-furrow.  Direct spray on the seed in furrow. 
  • For other row spacing, check label for rate conversion table for L/ha rates.
  • Do not apply more than 15 mL per 100 m of row per year or 1.7 L/ha (690 mL/ac) - based on 90 cm row spacing.
  • Do not make more than 1 soil application per  season.
  • Do not make a subsequent foliar application of a group 28 insecticide for a minimum of 60 days following an in-furrow application of Verimark.
  • Do no re-enter treated area for 12 hours.

 

Cabbage Root Maggot Adult Fly Suppression
Product Rate PHI* Comments

Mako

(cypermethrin)

Group 3

123 mL/ha (50 mL/acre)

Apply in 100 to 500 L/ha (40 to 200 L/acre) of water

 21
  • Registered on rutabaga and turnip.
  • Note:  this treatment is not meant for use as a drench or as a replacement for routine Lorsban 4E drenches.
  • Apply as a foliar spray to suppress adult flies.
  • Observe a 7 to day day interval between applications. 
  • Do not apply more than 3 times per crop per year.
  • Timing of applications should be based on presence of adult flies as determined by local monitoring with yellow sticky traps.
  • Mako should be applied midway between Lorsban 4E or Pyrinex 480 EC drenches if monitoring indicates presence of flies.
  • If the field slopes downward to water, construct and maintain a vegetative filter strip.  Check label for details.
  • Observe a 30 day plantback interval for crops not listed.
  • Do not enter treated area for 12 hours.

*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF, 421KB)
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF, 703KB)

 

Turnip Disease Management

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Brown Heart

Brown heart first appears as a water-soaked area in the centre of the turnip root which later turns brown. The plant may not be receiving enough boron.

Control

In light, sandy soils or where boron deficiency has occurred in the past, include 4.5 kg/ha (1.8 kg/acre) boron in the fertilizer mix. Review the "Boron" section of the Vegetable Production Guide: Nutrient Management (PDF) for more information.

All rutabagas should receive Solubor at 500 to 1000 g/ha (200 to 400 g/acre) as a spray using 500 L/ha (200 L/acre) or more of water to the foliage once or twice when the roots are sizing up.

In the Interior, fields to which boron has been applied should not normally be planted to beans or cucumbers the following year as both these crops are extremely sensitive to boron.

 

Crater Rot

The soil-borne fungus, Rhizoctonia, attacks many crop plants in different ways. In the case of rutabagas, the infection begins as a small lesion on the side of the tap root often at a point of injury caused by a wireworm or other insect. The infected area enlarges slowly causing a sunken dry rot. The rot continues in storage eventually destroying the entire root.

Control

  • Avoid poorly-drained fields or fields with a history of crater rot.
  • Control insects and take care not to injure the roots mechanically while they are growing.
  • Rotate with grass or cereal green manure crops.

Chemical Control of Rhizoctonia Crater Rot
Product Rate PHI* Comments

Quadris

(Azoxystrobin)

Group 11

 4 to 6 mL of product per 100m of row

Apply in 50 to 100 L/ha (20 to 40 L/acre) of water 		40
  • Registered on rutabaga and turnip.
  • Apply either in-furrow at seeding or as a banded application over the row soon after emergence or within 30 days of emergence.
  • Do not make more than one application per year.
  • A plant back interval of 30 days is required for broadleaf and root crops.
  • A plant back interval of 45 days is required for cereals.
  • Do not enter treated area until residues have dried.

Serenade Soil

(QST 713 strain of dried Bacillus subtilis)
 
Used in organics.

 

 2.7 to 14 L/ha (1.1 to 5.7 L/acre) 0
  • Registered on rutabaga and turnip.
  • Serenade Soil (PCP# 30647) is OMRI-Canada listed.  Check with your certification body before using in an organic operation.
  • Suppression only.

Surface Application:

  • Apply as a 15 cm band over the top of the seed row as a broadcast spray after planting.
  • Ensure incorporation into the seed zone within 24 hours of application via rainfall or overhead irrigation.

Post-plant applications:

  • After crop germination, additional applications may be made to the soil as a drench or spray directed towards the base of the plant.
  • Irrigate to move material into the seed or root zone.
  • Repeat at 21 to 28 day intervals.

*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF, 421KB)
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF, 703KB)

OMRI-Canada = Organic Materials Review Institute of Canada

 

Powdery Mildew (Ersyiphe)

Powdery mildew begins as white, powdery patches on the upper leaf surface. Later the leaves turn yellow and fall off, reducing yield.

Control

  • Rotation out of cruciferous crops and control of cruciferous weeds will reduce carryover from year to year.
  • In rare instances a spray program may be warranted. See table below.

Chemical Control of Powdery Mildew
Product Rate PHI* Comments

Tilt 250E

(propiconazole)

Group 3

400 mL/ha (160 mL/acre)

 

Apply in 200 L/ha (80 L/ac) of water		 21
  • Registered on rutabagas only.
  • Not registered on turnips.
  • Suppression only.
  • Apply as a foliar spray.
  • Make the first application 50 days after planting.
  • Repeat using a 20 day interval.
  • Do not apply more than 2 times per season.
  • Do not re-enter treated area for 12 hours.

Mission 418EC

(propiconazole)

Group 3

240 mL/ha
(97 mL/acre)

Apply in 200 L/ha (81 L/acre) of water

 21
  • Registered on rutabaga only.
  • Not registered on turnips.
  • Make two applications per season with the 1st application at 50 days after planting and the 2nd application 20 days later.
  • Apply to vegetative foliage.
  • Do not graze livestock on treated green tops.

Miravis Duo

(pydiflumetofen & difenoconazole)

Group 7 & 3

1.0 L/ha (405 mL/ac)

 

Apply in 150 L/ha (60 L/ac) of water		 7
  • Repeat using a 7 to 14 day interval.
  • Do not make more than 2 consecutive applications before switching to a non-Group 7 & 3 fungicide.
  • Do not apply more than 4.0 L/ha (1.6 L/ac) per season.
  • See label for details on plantback interval.
  • Do not re-enter treated area for 12 hours.

Cabrio EG

(pyraclostrobin)

Group 11

 560 to 840 g/ha
(220 to 340 g/acre)

Apply in at least 225 L/ha (90 L/acre) of water		 3
  • Registered on rutabaga and turnip.
  • Repeat using 7 day intervals.
  • Do not apply more than 3 times per season.  
  • No more than 2 consecutive applications before alternating to a fungicide with a different mode of action.
  • Do not re-enter for hand-harvesting for 3 days and for all other activities, do not re-enter for 12 hours.
  • Do not use treated crops for feed.

*PHI = Pre-harvest interval
BUFFERS – Refer to product label for buffer requirements, and consult the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Regulations and Safety (PDF, 421KB)
PESTICIDE GROUP DETAILS – see the Vegetable Production Guide: Pesticide Toxicity Table (PDF, 703KB)

 

Scab (Streptomyces)

Brown lesions, up to 1 cm in diameter, appear on the root, often forming continuous rings around the tap root near the soil line.

Control

  • Avoid soils with a history of potato scab.
  • Rotate with grass or cereal green manure crops.
  • The disease occurs most commonly in dry soils. Frequent, light irrigation will reduce infection but care must be taken not to encourage excessive growth which can result in oversized and cracked roots.