Turnip

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Cover Crop Name:
Turnip
Scientific Name:
Brassica rapa L. var. rapa
Growth Season:
Cool Season
Plant Type:
Broadleaf
Life Cycle:
Biennial
Plant Architecture:
Upright and spreading plant architecture
Relative Water Use:
High water use
Salinity Tolerance:
Poor salinity tolerance
Seeding Depth:
¼ – ½ inch
Crude Protein:
tops 16%, root 12 – 14%
Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio:
shoots 20 – 30, root 10 – 20
Mycorrhizal Association:
Does not form arbuscular mycorrhizal associations
Nitrogen Scavenger Rating:
Rated ‘good’ at scavenging nitrogen from the soil
Other Notes:
  • Root crop
  • Closely related to rutabaga
  • Flowers attract pollinators
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