Turnip DINAR is a modern forage crop variety from the Brassicaceae family, developed by the Siberian Federal Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is a biennial turnip with high yield and disease resistance, making it in demand in northern regions with short summer periods. The fruit organs – root crops – reach a mass from 400 to over 6000 grams, have a round or cylindrical shape, purple-burgundy color, and white flesh with a yellowish taste. The root crops are rich in carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins C and K, as well as trace elements, which ensures high forage value for lactating livestock.
The variety is characterized by good adaptation to fertile, loose soils with neutral or slightly acidic reaction (pH 6.0–6.5). It does not tolerate drought, so optimal yield is achieved with regular watering – up to 80–100 t/ha. Root crop yield can reach 128 t/ha, and foliage – over 540 t/ha under favorable conditions. With proper agronomy (thinning, loosening, protection from cabbage fleas) yield is consistently high, and root crop quality is maintained.
Turnip DINAR is widely used as lactating feed: leaves can be fed fresh or silaged, and root crops – used fresh. The daily consumption rate for cattle is 12–15 kg, for pigs – 3–5 kg. Introducing turnip into the diet gradually improves the digestion of ruminants, stimulates rumen microflora, and increases milk fat content. For storing root crops, pits with covering of straw and boards are used, which allows keeping them until April of the following year. The DINAR variety is also valued for high seed productivity – 6.9–12.2 c/ha, and seed viability is preserved for over ten years under optimal storage conditions.
