THE INFLUENCE OF ROW SPACING ON ROOT AND LEAF YIELDS AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF FORAGE TURNIP (brassica rapa L.)

Abstract

The effects of four row spacings (20, 30, 40 and 50 cm) on root and leaf yields and some yield components of four forage turnips (diploid cultivars Agressa, Siloganova, tetraploid cultivars Polybra and Volenda) were evaluated under the Black Sea Coastal Area Conditions in the 2002 and 2003 growing seasons. The root yield, root dry matter yield, root crude protein yield, root diameter, root length, leaf yield, leaf dry matter yield, and leaf crude protein yield were determined. Row spacing significantly affected most of the yield components determined in forage turnip cultivars. Root and leaf yields and their yield components increased along with increase of row spacing. The highest root and leaf dry matter yields were obtained from the 40 cm row spacing. The Volenda cultivar had the highest yield under the Black Sea Coastal Area Conditions.