EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SOWING AND HARVESTING TIMES ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF FORAGE TURNIP (Brassica rapa L.) GROWN AS A SECOND CROP

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the effects of different sowing and harvesting times on yield and quality of forage turnip (Brassica rapa L.) grown as a second crop in Isparta in 2010 and 2011 growing seasons. The field experiment was established in randomized complete block design with three replications. Three different sowing times (20 June, 5 July, 20 July) and three different harvesting times (1 October, 15 October, 30 October) were applied in this research. Root length, root diameter, root yield, leaf yield, dry matter yields, crude protein ratios, ADF and NDF ratios of root and leaf were investigated. According to the results, the effects of sowing and harvesting times were statistically significant at all components. The crude protein ratios increased with late sowing while root length, root diameter, root yield, leaf yield, dry matter yields, ADF and NDF ratios of root and leaf decreased. The root length, root diameter, root yield, leaf yield, dry matter yields, ADF and NDF ratios of root and leaf increased with late harvest while the crude protein ratios decreased.