Introduction

• Family : Cruciferae (Brasicaceae)
• Botanical Name : Brassica rapa
• English/Common Name : Turnip
• Nepali name : Salgam
• Choromosome Number : 2n =20
• Place of origin : Russia and Siberia
• It is another important root crop in the cruciferae family.
• It is consumed raw as salad or as a cooked vegetable, making pickles
• Leaves are used as vegetables and as green fodder
• Rich in carbohydrates, protein, minerals
• Turnip leaves are a good source of minerals such as calcium and iron
• Vitamin A, B, C are also found in appreciable quantities

Botany

• It is grown primarily for their enlarged root which is napiform consisting of the hypocotyl which swells and becomes spherical.
• A distinct tap root and secondary roots arise from the lower part of the swollen hypocotyls.
• Roots attain maturity in 40 – 80 days depending upon cultivars.