FORAGE YIELD AND QUALITY OF DIFFERENT TURNIP (Brassica rapa L.) CULTIVARS GROWN AS MAIN AND SECOND CROP UNDER ANKARA CONDITIONS

Abstract

This research was carried out at the experimental field of the Ankara University. Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops in two seeding times (as main crop in April and as second crop in July) during the years of 1997 and 1998. Introduced turnip cultivars Hybrid Forage Star, Purple Top, Shogoin, and 7 top were used as research materials. The experimantal design was a randomized complete block with three replications for each experiment. In April 1997 seeding, Hybrid Forage Star was the most productive cultivar with a 4277 kg/da plant (top+ root) fresh yield. In July 1997 seeding, plant (top+root) fresh yield of Shogoin was the highest (6191 kg/da), however, the highest plant (top+root) dry matter and crude protein yields were obtained from 7 Top. In April 1998 seeding, forage yields of Hybrid Forage Star was the highest. In July 1998 seeding. Purple Top was the most productive cultivar and its plant (top+root) fresh yield was 3747 kg/da. In 1998, in both seeding times, forage yields were lower than 1997 yields. As a result, with the exceptions of fresh root yield, root dry matter yield and plant (top+root) dry matter yield in April 1997 seeding, the highest forage yields (top+root) were obtained from July seedings in both years when they are compared numerically. For this reason, they can be recommended as second crop in irrigated lands under Ankara conditions.