Rutabaga and Turnip

Rutabaga and Turnip otank
Rutabaga & Turnip Disease Control Rutabaga & Turnip Insect Control Rutabaga & Turnip Weed Control

Introduction

Turnip (Brassica rapa) is a fresh market root vegetable that reaches maturity about 50-70 days after planting. Turnip leaves are usually hirsute (hairy), light- to medium-green in color, and can be eaten as greens. Varieties grown for greens reach maturity about 30-45 days after planting. Varieties grown for roots are designated as salad or storage varieties, with salad turnips being tender, mild, and able to be eaten raw, whereas storage turnips are more commonly cooked before eating, although there is some overlap. Salad turnips reach maturity slightly faster (35-50 days after planting) than storage turnips (45-70 days after planting). Turnip roots generally have little or no neck and a distinct taproot. Best quality results when the crop reaches edible size under moderately cool temperatures.

Rutabaga (Brassica napus, napobrassica group) is commonly known as yellow turnip or swede. It is thought to be a cross between turnip (B. rapa) and wild cabbage (B. oleracea) and developed in central Europe. The leaves are bluish in color, thick and waxy like cabbage leaves, and smooth. Rutabagas have short necks with leaf scars, and they require about a month longer to mature than turnips (90-100 days). In northern New England, rutabagas are more popular than turnips. If planted early in the spring, rutabagas will be of poor quality (woody and tough). For best quality, plant from mid-June to mid-July in northern to southern New England, respectively, timing harvest to occur in the cool weather of fall after a few light frosts.
 

Types and Varieties

Types and Varieties of Rutabaga

Types Varieties
Rutabaga

Gilfeather

Helenor

Joan

Laurentian

Macomber Turnip (popular in southeastern MA)

 

Types and Varieties of Turnip

Types Varieties
Turnip for Greens

Alamo

All Top

Topper

Southern Green

Seven Top
Turnip for Salads (roots)

Bella Luna

Hakurei F1

Hirosaki Red

Just Right

Polar

Scarlet Ohno Revival

Scarlet Queen Red Stems

Tokyo Silky Sweet

White Lady
Turnip for Storage

Purple Prince

Purple Top White Globe

Scarlet Ohno Revival

Violet Queen

 

Soil Fertility

Apply lime according to soil test results to maintain soil pH at 6.5-6.8.

Turnip following other vegetables in the same season may not require the application of additional fertilizer, as turnip is an efficient scavenger of residual nutrients.

Less nitrogen fertilizer will be needed if legume sod was plowed down or if manure was applied (see Table 1 and Table 7).

Plant Nutrient Recommendations According to Soil Test Results for Rutabaga and Turnip

SOIL TEST RESULTS NITROGEN (N) - LBS PER ACRE PHOSPHORUS (P) -
LBS P2O5 PER ACRE		 POTASSIUM (K) -
LBS K2O PER ACRE
VERY LOW LOW OPTIMUM ABOVE OPTIMUM VERY LOW LOW OPTIMUM ABOVE OPTIMUM
Broadcast and incorporate 50 150 100 25-50 0 100 75 25 0
TOTAL RECOMMENDED 50 150 100 25-50 0 100 75 25 0

Planting

Rutabaga: Seed to 4-8" within rows and 30" between rows 0.25" deep. This requires 1.5-2 lb of seed per acre (about 1/4 oz per 100 feet of row).

Turnip: Seed to 2-3" within rows and 14-18" between rows 0.5" deep. This requires about 6 lb of seed per acre (or about 0.33 oz/100 ft row.)

Harvesting and Storage

Mature salad turnips are harvested when the roots are about 2" in diameter; storage turnips can be harvested slightly larger. Both types of turnip can become pithy if harvested too large. For highest quality, rutabagas should be harvested when they are 3-5" in diameter at the top end and weigh 2-3 lb. Rutabagas and turnips can be stored for long periods at 32º F and at a relative humidity of 90-95%. Chilling prior to harvest improves the flavor of rutabagas by aiding the conversion of starch to sugar, reducing strong or bitter flavor.

Rutabaga and Turnip Disease Control

Rutabaga and Turnip Disease Control otank
Rutabaga & Turnip - General Rutabaga & Turnip Insect Control Rutabaga & Turnip Weed Control

NOTES: For the disease control products listed below, one product trade name and formulation is provided for each active ingredient (common name) as an example of rates, preharvest interval (PHI), restricted entry interval (REI), and special instructions. In many cases, there are other products available with the same active ingredient. Please see Table 26 and Fungicides and Bactericides Alphabetically Listed by Trade Name for more information on products with the same active ingredients.

The symbol OG indicates a product is listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) as approved for use in organic production. See Organic Certification section for more details.

Leaf Spots (Alternaria and Cercospora)

Leaf spot fungi do not infect roots but severe foliar infections can reduce yield and blighted foliage can reduce the value of fresh-packed plants. Hot water seed treatment can eliminate seedborne fungal pathogens but will not protect from airborne inoculum. To reduce infection by airborne inoculum, control weeds to improve airflow and encourage leaf drying, and plow under crop debris promptly in the fall. Practice a 3-year crop rotation out of brassicas.

  • azoxystrobin (Quadris F): 6.0 to 20.0 fl oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Group 11. Do not rotate with other Group 11 fungicides.
  • Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain D747 (Double Nickel 55OG): 0.25 to 3.0 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Group BM02. Applied as foliar spray. For suppression of Alternaria. See label for application methods and instructions.
  • copper hydroxide (Kocide 3000): 0.5 to 0.75 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 48h, Group M01. Turnip greens only.
  • cyprodinil plus fludioxonil (Switch 6.25 WG): 11.0 to 14.0 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Groups 9 & 12.
  • penthiopyrad (Fontelis): 16.0 to 30.0 fl oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Group 7.
  •  
  • pyraclostrobin (Cabrio EG): 8.0 to 12.0 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Group 11. Do not rotate with other Group 11 fungicides.

Black Leg, or Phoma Leaf Spot and Canker (Phoma lingam)

From foliar lesions, the fungal pathogen that causes black leg spreads into leaf veins to the petioles and eventually the main stem. On rutabaga and turnip, a dry rot of the bulb or hypocotyl develops. The neck and shoulder areas develop large, brown lesions, followed by an extensive dry rot deep into the fleshy tissue. Severely affected bulbs become shriveled and dry and are often invaded by secondary fungal and bacterial decay organisms. Start with certified or treated seed or treat seed with hot water or fungicides. Rotate out of brassicas for 4 years. Promptly incorporate infected crop debris after harvest. Eliminate brassica weeds, which can act as hosts. Apply foliar fungicides to protect susceptible cultivars (see above).

Seed Decay and Damping-Off

Damping-off diseases are favored by cool, cloudy weather, wet and/or compacted soils, high humidity, and overcrowding. Plant into well-drained and well-fertilized soil when conditions are conducive to fast germination and growth. Avoid excessive irrigation.

  • azoxystrobin (Quadris F): 0.4 to 0.8 fl oz/1000 row ft.; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Group 11. For Rhizoctonia root rot control applied as in-furrow application. See label for restrictions.
  • Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain D747 (Double Nickel 55OG): 0.125 to 1.0 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Group BM02. See label for application methods and instructions.
  • ethaboxam (Elumin): 8.0 fl oz; PHI 2d, REI 12h, Group 22. Labeled for Pythium damping-off of turnip greens. 
  • fludioxonil (Maxim 4FS): 0.08 to 0.16 fl oz/100 lb seed; REI 12h, Group 12. For protection against seedborne and soilborne fungi. Does not control Pythium or Phytophthora. Use as seed treatment prior to seedling.
  • fluopicolide (Presidio 4SC): 3.0 to 4.0 fl oz/A; REI 12h, Group 7. Apply for Pythium root rot control as banded spray. Do not use on varieties of turnips such as fodder turnips intended for livestock use. See label for additional restrictions.
  • mefenoxam (Ridomil Gold SL): 1.0 to 2.0 pt/A; REI 48h, Group 4. Pre-plant incorporated or soil spray broadcast or band.

White Rust (Albugo candida)

Yield reductions caused by white rust are rare, but quality is reduced by the raised white spore masses of the leaf undersides of the pathogen. Use resistant cultivars where available and rotate to non-hosts where the disease is common. Proper fertility levels, especially of phosphorus and potassium, have been reported to reduce disease.

  • azoxystrobin (Quadris F): 6.0 to 20.0 fl oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Group 11. Do not alternate with another Group 11 fungicide.
  • copper oxychloride plus copper hydroxide (Badge X2OG): 1.0 to 2.25 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 48h, Group M01.
  • pyraclostrobin (Cabrio EG): 8.0 to 16.0 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Group 11. Do not rotate with other Group 11 fungicides.
Disease Control

Rutabaga and Turnip Insect Control

Rutabaga and Turnip Insect Control otank
Rutabaga & Turnip - General Rutabaga & Turnip Disease Control Rutabaga & Turnip Weed Control

Flea beetles, leafminers, and cabbage maggot can be controlled in spring crops with spunbonded row covers. Cover at seeding and seal the edges with soil. Rotate fields so that flies do not emerge under row covers. Row covers are most effective for spring crops. Use a non-heating row cover, such as Proteknet, to protect fall turnips and rutabagas from cabbage maggot during August and early September, as spunbonded row covers can trap too much heat and cause reduced yield and root quality. Aphids are generally kept below damaging levels by natural enemies. If using row cover, do not place over crops with aphids present, as the cover will exclude natural enemies and cause outbreaks of aphids under the cover.

NOTES: For the insecticides listed below, one product trade name and formulation is provided for each active ingredient (AI) as an example of rates, preharvest interval (PHI), restricted entry interval (REI), and special instructions. In many cases, there are other products available with the same AI. Please see Table 27 and Insecticides Alphabetically Listed by Trade Name for more information on these insecticides.

The designation (Bee: L, M, or H) indicates a bee toxicity rating of low, moderate, or high. See the Protecting Honeybees and Native Pollinators section for more details.

The symbol * indicates a product is a restricted use pesticide. See Pesticide Safety and Use for more details.

The symbol OG indicates a product is listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) as approved for use in organic production. See Organic Certification section for more details.

Aphid, primarily Cabbage Aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae)

See cabbage aphid in the Cabbag, Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Other Brassica Crops insect control section. Green peach aphid is an occasional pest of rutabaga and turnip; see in the Pepper section for more information.

  • alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac* EC): 3.2 to 3.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.
  • azadirachtin (Azatin OOG): 4 to 16 oz/A foliar or drench, 4 to 16 oz/100 gal in greenhouses; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee:L, Group UN. When using lower rates, combine with adjuvant for improved spray coverage and translaminar uptake.
  • bifenthrin (Brigade* 2EC): 5.12 to 6.4 oz/A; PHI 21d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A. Turnip greens only.
  • Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 (GrandevoOG): 2 to 3 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: M, Group UN.
  • dimethoate (Dimethoate 4EC): 8 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 1B. Turnip greens and roots only.
  • dinotefuran (Venom): 2 to 3 oz/A foliar; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Turnip greens only. Do not apply to vegetables grown for seed. 
  • flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG): 2 to 2.8 oz/A; PHI 3d, REI 12, Bee: L, Group 9C.
  • flupyradifurone (Sivanto): 7 to 14 oz/A foliar application, 21 to 28 oz/A for application on turnip greens only; PHI 7d foliar, 21d soil, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 4D.
  • imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 4.4 to 10.5 oz/A; PHI 21d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Soil applications only.
  •  
  • malathion (Malathion 57EC): 1 to 1.6 pt/A rutabaga, 1 to 2 oz/A turnip; PHI 7d rutabaga, 1d turnip, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 1B.
  • pymetrozine (Fulfill): 2.75 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: L, Group 9A. Turnip greens only.
  • pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0OG): 4.5 to 17 oz/A; 0.25 to 0.50 oz/gal, 3 gal/1000 sq ft in greenhouse for backpack sprayers; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: M, Group 3A.
  • sulfoxaflor (Transform WG): 0.75 to 1.5 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 24h, Bees: H, Group 4C. 
  • thiamethoxam (Actara): 1.5 to 3 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4.
  • thiamethoxam (Platinum): 5 to 12 oz/A; REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4. Systemic insecticide used at seeding or within 24 hours of seeding as an in-furrow or narrow surface band with sufficient water for incorporation, or in drip irrigation. 

Cabbage Maggot (Delia radicum)

See Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Other Brassica Crops insect control section for more information on cabbage maggot. Both spring and fall crops are susceptible to maggot damage. Cooler soils in early fall allow survival of eggs from late-season flights. Use drop nozzles directed to base of plant. Use at least 100 gal water/A.

  • alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac* EC): 3.2 to 3.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A. Foliar treatment for adult flies only. 
  • diazinon (Diazinon* AG500): 2 to 4 qt/A; REI 4d, Bee: H, Group 1B. Broadcast and incorporate to a depth of 4" just before planting. Rutabaga only.
Insect Control

Rutabaga and Turnip Weed Control

Rutabaga and Turnip Weed Control otank
Rutabaga & Turnip - General Rutabaga & Turnip Disease Control Rutabaga & Turnip Insect Control

NOTES: For the herbicides listed below, one product trade name and formulation is provided for each active ingredient along with preharvest interval (PHI), restricted entry interval (REI), resistance management group number, and example of rates and special instructions. In many cases, there are other products available with the same active ingredient. However, not all products with the same active ingredient are registered for use in a crop. Always check the product label to be sure that the crop is listed before using. 

Stale Seedbed

See Stale Seedbed Technique in the Weed Management section.

Preemergent Herbicides (before weeds germinate)

  • dimethenamid (Outlook): PHI 14d for tops, 40d for roots, REI 12h, Group 15. Apply 7-21 oz/A per application, only 1 application per year. Apply as a broadcast application when rutabaga and turnip have reached the 2-leaf stage but before the 8-leaf stage. Temporary leaf injury may occur.
  • sulfentrazone (Aquesta 4F): REI 12h, Group 14. Turnip only. Apply 8 oz/A per application, only 1 application per year. Can be applied after turnips have emerged, 40-60 days before harvest in 10-40 gal/A of spray.
  • trifluralin (Treflan HFP): REI 12h, Group 3. Turnip greens only. Apply 1-1.5 pt/A per application, only 1 application per year. Apply and incorporate before planting. Rate depends on soil texture and percent organic matter.

Postemergent Herbicides (after weeds germinate)

  • carfentrazone (Aim EC): PHI 0d, REI 12h, Group 14. Apply 0.5-2 oz/A per application. Do not exceed 6.1 oz/A per season. Can be applied to row middles of emerged crops with hooded sprayers to control emerged weeds, including crops grown on mulch or plastic. Prevent any spray from contacting the crop, or injury will occur. For best results, make application to actively growing weeds up to 4” tall and rosettes less than 3” across.
  • clethodim (Select Max): PHI 30d, REI 24h, Group 1. Apply 9-16 oz/A per application, up to 4 applications allowed per year, a minimum of 14 days apart. Do not exceed 64 oz/A per year. Apply to actively growing grasses. Add 0.25% v:v nonionic surfactant (1 qt/100 gal of spray). Can also be applied as a spot-spray by mixing 0.33-0.66% (0.44-0.85 oz/gal) Select Max and 0.25% v:v nonionic surfactant (0.33 oz/gal). Spray to wet, but do not allow runoff of spray solution.
  • clopyralid (Stinger): PHI 15d for tops, 30d for roots, REI 12h, Group 4. Turnip only. Apply 5-8 oz/A per application, only 1 application per year. Apply after the crop has emerged. Rate based on weed composition and growth stage. Spray additives are not recommended.
  • glyphosate (Roundup Power Max): PHI 14d, REI 4h, Group 9. Apply 10 oz to 3.1 qts/A per application, multiple applications allowed per year. Do not exceed 5 qts/A per year. Rate based on target weed species. Can be applied during fallow intervals, prior to planting or transplanting, at planting, or before crop has emerged. Can also be applied with the wiper method, using a 33% solution by volume. Only 1 wiper application allowed per year, a minimum of 14 days prior to harvest. Could cause injury when applied prior to transplanting or direct-seeding into plastic mulch. Remove residual product from plastic mulch with a 0.5” of water through irrigation or rainfall prior to planting.
  • paraquat (Gramoxone SL 2.0*): REI 12h or 24h, Group 22. Apply 1.3-2.7 pts/A per application, up to 3 applications allowed per year, a minimum of 14 days apart. Do not exceed 8 pts/A per year. Can be applied before, during, or after planting but before emergence. Apply in a minimum of 10 gal/A of spray. May be fatal if swallowed or inhaled. *Restricted use: Applicators must complete an EPA-approved paraquat training every 3 years: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/paraquat-dichloride-training-certified-applicators.
  • pelargonic acid (Scythe): PHI 1d, REI 12h, Group 0. Apply in 75-200 gal/A of spray. Can use preplant, or as a directed and shielded spray during crop growth. Avoid contact with foliage or crop damage may occur. Can also be applied as a harvest aid and desicant to remove leaves. Spray to wet, but do not allow runoff of spray solution.
  • sethoxydim (Poast): PHI 14d, REI 12h, Group 1. Apply 2.5 pt/A per application, only 1 application per year. Apply to actively growing grasses. Use with crop oil concentrate (2 pt/A) or methylated seed oil (1.5 pt/A). Crop oil can cause injury under hot and humid conditions. Can also be applied as a spot-spray by mixing 1-1.5% (1.3-1.9 oz/gal) Poast and 1% v:v crop oil concentrate (1.3 oz/gal). Spray to wet, but do not allow runoff of spray solution.
Weed Control