TURNIP RAPE

Winter turnip rape belongs to the cruciferous family. It is similar to oilseed rape, but more winter hardy. Turnip rape is more tolerant to severe, snowless winters, as well as long-lasting, thick snow cover. Its main usage is for green fodder harvest and as after-crop.

 

When grown for green fodder production as a winter after- crop, spring main crop or stubble after-crop. When sown as winter after-crop it produces green fodder in mid April (25-400q/ha). The second cut can be obtained after ca. 3 weeks (ca. 200q). The third cut is approx. 50% lower than the second one. When sown in spring and summer, Turnip rape produces fewer buds; vegetation is dominated by leaf mass, which, when cut at a time of adequate precipitation, re-grows faster.

 

As after-crop, it has to be sown at any time, depending on the clearing of the fore-crop from the field. Soil and fertilizing requirements are similar to those of oilseed rape, but Turnip rape is more constant in yielding on lighter soils.