Fodder Turnip ESTI NARIS

ESTI NARIS – an early-maturing turnip (Brassica rapa L., var. rapa) variety that reaches technical maturity of its root crops within 50–60 days from germination. The plant leaves are simple, light green, hairy, and free of a waxy bloom, which facilitates care and increases resistance to diseases. The root crop has an oval shape with a smooth surface: a white underground part and a purple upper coloration; the flesh is dense, juicy, and white. The mass of one root crop is typically 300–400 grams, with a yield of 6 to 8 kilograms per square meter.

The variety is distinguished by high marketability and storability, making it attractive for both commercial cultivation and home consumption. ESTI NARIS grows well in open ground, especially on light loamy and sandy soils with moderate moisture, as well as on clay loam substrates rich in humus. Moisture is a key factor: turnips are moisture-loving but cannot withstand drought and high temperatures; seeds germinate at 2–3 °C, and seedlings withstand frosts down to –5 °C.

For successful cultivation, deep autumn plowing and careful spring soil treatment are recommended. Sowing is done with row spacing of 45–70 cm, at a depth of 1.5–2.5 cm, and a sowing rate of 1 to 2.5 kg/ha. Optimal plant density is 80–100 thousand per hectare. Care and fertilization are similar to methods used for growing rutabaga. The ESTI NARIS variety is suitable for crop rotation near livestock farms, as well as as a predecessor for cereals, legumes, and silage crops.