-Turnip – 100g Seed – Pahuja – Indian

The Purple Top White Globe is a cool-season root vegetable grown for both its edible white roots with purple shoulders and its nutritious leafy greens. It is particularly suitable for Bangladeshi winter cultivation, where it can be grown in rooftop containers, raised beds and open gardens.

 

Important research distinction: The information below describes the Purple Top White Globe cultivar type using established turnip cultivation research. Pahuja Seeds is the seed supplier, but we would not attribute specific germination percentages, yield guarantees, or proprietary breeding history to Pahuja without a verifiable technical datasheet for its particular seed lot. Cultivation figures are therefore presented as practical ranges rather than unsupported brand-specific claims.

Germination, growth and planting requirements

The cultivar is commonly listed as maturing in approximately 50 days, while other turnip guides give a broader 40–60-day window.

Container, soil, sunlight and watering

Recommended container or bed size

For rooftop gardening, use lightweight containers where possible, keep them stable in strong winds, and ensure water cannot pool beneath them. Do not add a thick stone layer at the bottom; use unobstructed drainage holes and a uniformly well-drained medium.

Soil type and pH

Turnips perform best in a loose, fertile, friable sandy loam or loam with good drainage and consistent moisture.

Ideal characteristics:

• pH: 6.0–6.5; a broader workable range is approximately 5.5–7.0.

• Texture: fine enough to maintain root contact but loose enough for globes to expand without deformity.

• Organic matter: mature compost for nutrient supply and moisture buffering.

• Drainage: fast enough to prevent prolonged saturation, particularly during humid Bangladeshi weather.

• Avoid: heavy clay, fresh manure, large stones in the root zone, compacted media and excessive soluble salts.

Soil compaction and stones can produce misshapen roots. Overly acidic conditions can increase the risk of clubroot, while excessive nitrogen can encourage leafy growth at the expense of well-formed roots.

Sunlight and germination light

Full sun supports root development. However, sustained high temperatures can make roots woody, pungent or bitter.

Water requirement

There is no universal litres-per-day figure for a turnip: water use depends on pot volume, temperature, wind, plant size, humidity and the growing medium. The following is a starting estimate for a 12-inch container, not a fixed prescription.

How to water correctly

1. Check the top 2–3 cm of the medium each morning.

2. Water when the surface begins to dry and the medium below is only slightly moist, rather than saturated.

3. Apply water slowly until a little drains from the bottom, then empty the saucer.

4. In cooler December–January conditions, watering may be needed less frequently. In warm, windy weather, it may be needed more often.

5. Maintain even moisture during root enlargement. A severe dry period followed by heavy watering can cause splitting.

Use the table as an initial estimate and adjust it according to actual moisture, not the calendar alone.

Nutrients and organic fertilisation

Essential nutrients and their roles

The percentages below are approximate plant-tissue concentrations on a dry-matter basis, not a recipe for fertiliser. Actual concentrations vary with cultivar, plant age, soil and analytical method.

These are indicative agronomic ranges, not laboratory targets for every turnip plant. Boron is especially important to root-crop quality, but excess boron is toxic. Do not add borax or concentrated micronutrient products without a justified diagnosis or soil/media test.

Organic fertiliser blend for one 12-inch container

Use mature, low-salinity composts and small amounts of concentrated amendments. The following is a conservative starting recipe for one plant, rather than a laboratory-validated optimum for Pahuja seed.

 

Application schedule:

• Before sowing: Mix the composts and meal amendments evenly through the medium. Do not leave concentrated fertiliser against the seed.

• Day 14–21: If growth is pale or weak and the roots are developing normally, top-dress with 20–30 g vermicompost per plant.

• Day 28–35: If necessary, add another 20–30 g vermicompost. Avoid high-nitrogen feeding late in root enlargement.

• Epsom salt: Do not apply routinely. If magnesium deficiency is confirmed, use a conservative dose based on a soil/media or water analysis and the product label.

Why not use all ingredients in large quantities? Horn meal and mustard cake release nutrients at different speeds; bone meal and oyster shell may alter pH and release nutrients slowly. Combining high doses can cause salt stress, excess nitrogen, pH drift or nutrient imbalance.

For a rooftop container, this measured approach is safer than adding large quantities of every organic product. If the medium already contains fertiliser or compost, reduce the initial blend accordingly.

Chemical fertiliser requirements

Turnips do not require an elaborate feeding programme if the potting medium is fertile. Commercial recommendations vary with soil tests and production systems. For a container, use a complete, soluble vegetable fertiliser according to its label rather than directly scaling field rates without adjustment.

A cautious programme for a 12-inch pot:

For field production, one extension guide gives a generalised nitrogen range of approximately 35–80 lb/acre, with phosphorus and potassium adjusted to soil test results. This is not a direct recommendation for a rooftop pot.

Important: Do not combine full chemical-fertiliser rates with the full organic recipe automatically. Excess salts can burn roots and damage seedlings. If the goal is a chemical-free crop, use the organic programme alone and accept that nutrient release may be slower.

Rooftop potting mix for Bangladesh

This mix prioritises drainage during humid weather, adequate moisture retention during dry winter days, root expansion and moderate weight on the roof. Percentages are by volume, not weight.

 

Why these ingredients?

• Loamy soil: Provides mineral structure and stability.

• Coir dust: Holds moisture without requiring frequent watering.

• Vermicompost and mature composts: Supply organic matter and nutrients.

• Medium coconut husk: Improves aeration and reduces compaction.

• Perlite: Improves drainage and oxygen availability around the roots.

If your loamy soil is heavy or clay-rich, reduce it to 20–25% and increase coir and husk accordingly, keeping the total at 100%. If it is already sandy and drains rapidly, retain the stated 30% loam and monitor moisture more closely.

Hydroponic cultivation

Can turnips be grown hydroponically?

Yes. Turnips can be grown hydroponically, and a published study of Japanese turnip found that roots could develop in nutrient solution. However, the study used a different cultivar and does not validate a particular nutrient formula for Pahuja’s Purple Top White Globe.

For rooftop cultivation, a deep-water culture or recirculating system is possible, but a loose, well-aerated substrate with drip irrigation is usually easier for producing uniform globe-shaped roots.

Suggested starting targets for a general leafy/root Brassica hydroponic solution:

These are starting ranges for experimentation, not a validated cultivar-specific recipe. Use a complete hydroponic fertiliser that supplies micronutrients, including iron, manganese, boron, zinc, copper and molybdenum. Do not simply mix Epsom salt, bone meal, compost or other solid organic amendments into a recirculating reservoir; they can clog equipment, consume oxygen or create unstable nutrient availability.

Maintain adequate dissolved oxygen, protect the reservoir from direct sunlight, and replace or rebalance the solution according to EC, pH and water-quality readings. A solution should not be considered balanced solely because its EC is correct.

Companion plants and culinary characteristics

Companion plants

Suitable neighbours include:

• Lettuce

• Spinach

• Coriander

• Dill

• Onion

• Garlic

• Spring onion

• Radish, provided adequate spacing is maintained

Avoid overcrowding. Turnip, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, mustard and radish are all Brassicaceae, so repeatedly growing these crops together or one after another can encourage shared pests and diseases. Rotate to a different plant family where possible.

Root taste rating

SHU does not apply; turnip is not a chilli or pepper variety.

Leaf taste rating

Pest management

Common turnip pests and their control

The correct treatment depends on identifying the pest first. Brassica crops commonly suffer from flea beetles, aphids, caterpillars and root maggots.

Chemical-use rules for Bangladesh

• Verify that the exact formulation is registered by Bangladesh’s Department of Agricultural Extension for the crop and pest.

• Follow the label for dose, protective equipment, pre-harvest interval (PHI) and re-entry interval.

• Do not use a pesticide simply because it is recommended for cabbage or another related crop; confirm that turnip is covered by the label.

• Avoid spraying open flowers or when pollinators are active. Never mix products unless the label permits it.

For rooftop growing, insect-proof mesh, crop hygiene and regular inspection are usually the best first-line measures.

Diseases and treatment

Common turnip diseases

Extension guidance identifies Alternaria, black rot and clubroot among important turnip problems.

Important: The chemical examples above are active ingredients or product classes to investigate, not a recommendation to spray them indiscriminately. Product registration and permitted uses can change. Organic methods are particularly important for a short-duration edible crop.

Harvesting, yield and lifespan

How to identify a mature root

Leaves can be harvested earlier, usually once the plant has enough established foliage. Take a few outer leaves at a time and leave the growing centre intact if you want the root to continue enlarging.

Monthly yield required for a family of four

For a family of four following a varied Bangladeshi diet, turnips are best treated as one vegetable among several, rather than the only vegetable consumed.

A reasonable planning estimate is:

• Root consumption: 2–4 kg per month for occasional curries, mixed vegetables and soups.

• Leaf consumption: 0.5–1.5 kg per month, if the family regularly eats turnip greens.

These are meal-planning estimates, not official dietary recommendations. Individual requirements depend on portion sizes, age and food preferences.

To obtain a continuous harvest, sow a small batch every 2–3 weeks during the cool season rather than planting all the seeds at once.

Average crop yield per square foot

A practical home-garden planning range is approximately 0.3–0.8 kg of roots per square foot per crop cycle under good growing conditions.

The actual yield depends on plant density, cultivar, temperature, root size and the proportion of marketable roots. Field guides report substantially different yields because they use different varieties and planting systems.

For example, a 10-square-foot growing bed might produce approximately 3–8 kg of roots in a successful crop. This is a planning estimate, not a guaranteed yield.

Average lifespan

Turnip is botanically a biennial plant:

• First growing season: leaves and edible storage root develop.

• Second growing season: after suitable cool conditions, the plant may flower, set seed and eventually die.

For rooftop vegetable production, it is generally grown as an annual crop and harvested within about 45–60 days. The practical productive life of the root crop is therefore around 1.5–2 months, although the individual plant can live longer if left in place.

Nutrition and health benefits

Nutritional values of raw turnip root

Approximate values per 100 g of raw root:

These are approximate values: different food-composition databases and samples produce slightly different results.

Turnip greens have a different nutritional profile and can provide useful quantities of vitamins A, C and K, folate and minerals. The values depend on the maturity and preparation of the leaves.

Health benefits

• Supports normal immune function: Vitamin C contributes to normal immune function and collagen formation.

• Supports digestive health: Dietary fibre helps maintain regular bowel movements as part of a fibre-rich diet.

• Contributes to normal blood-pressure regulation: Potassium is involved in normal muscle function and blood-pressure regulation.

• Provides useful micronutrients with few calories: Turnip can add volume and variety to meals without contributing much energy.

• Adds variety to a vegetable-rich diet: Turnips and their leaves contain different plant compounds and micronutrients, helping diversify the diet.

These are nutritional contributions, not claims that turnips prevent or cure specific diseases. They should complement a balanced diet rather than replace medical treatment.

Interesting recipes using Purple Top White Globe turnip

Best sowing month in Bangladesh

Ideal month for germination under natural conditions

Recommended sowing window for Dhaka: late October through December, with November as the preferred starting month.

 

Climate evidence and limitations: Bangladesh Meteorological Department material describes December–February as the winter season. Japan Meteorological Agency climate normals for Dhaka show mean temperatures of approximately 23.7°C in November, 19.6°C in December and 18.2°C in January. These seasonal patterns support winter sowing.

Approximate number of seeds per gram

A useful planning range is 350–500 seeds per gram for turnip, although seed size and cultivar vary.

The INRAE Ephytia turnip reference gives this range directly.

For example:

• 1 g: approximately 350–500 seeds

• 2 g: approximately 700–1,000 seeds

• 5 g: approximately 1,750–2,500 seeds

These are estimates, not a guaranteed count for the Pahuja packet. For precise seed inventory, weigh a representative sample and count it.

Propagation, storage and distinctive features

Best propagation method

Direct sowing into the final container is the preferred method.

1. Fill the container with the prepared, pre-moistened potting mix.

2. Sow 2–3 seeds at each intended planting position, approximately 1 cm deep.

3. Water gently so the seeds are not displaced.

4. Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging.

5. After emergence, retain the strongest seedling and cut the weaker seedlings at soil level rather than pulling them out beside the retained plant.

6. Thin to one plant per 12-inch container.

Turnips are generally less suited to transplanting than many leafy vegetables because disturbing the taproot can impair root shape. Direct sowing is simpler and reduces that risk.

Best storage methods

For roots, commercial storage guidance recommends approximately 0°C and 90–95% relative humidity. Home refrigerators fluctuate more, so shorter storage periods are sensible.

Some specialties of Purple Top White Globe

• Distinctive two-colour root: The upper shoulder exposed to light develops a purple colour while the lower root remains predominantly white.

• Dual-purpose crop: Both the root and the leaves can be eaten, making the crop useful for home kitchens.

• Short growing cycle: Roots can often be harvested in approximately 45–60 days, enabling successive sowings through the cool season.

Two original quotes about turnips

“Beneath a crown of purple, a quiet white globe gathers the sweetness of winter.”

“A small seed, a patient season, and a harvest that brings the garden to the family table.”

These are original quotes written for this guide, not quotations attributed to historical authors.

Few lesser-known facts

• The purple colour is light-dependent. The exposed shoulder develops its colour in response to light; the underground portion remains pale.

• Turnips are botanically biennial. The familiar root is harvested in the first growing season, while flowering and seed production usually follow after the plant experiences suitable seasonal conditions.

• Roots can become less pleasant when left too long. A larger turnip is not necessarily a better turnip: overmaturity and heat stress can increase pungency and fibrousness.

Botanical identity and origin

Native region

Turnip is an old cultivated crop with a complex history of domestication. Its deeper ancestry is associated with Eurasian cultivation, and its early domestication history is not established precisely enough to assign one universally accepted birthplace to every modern turnip cultivar.

Purple Top White Globe is a cultivated turnip type, rather than a wild species native exclusively to India.

Origin story of the cultivar

The turnip has been cultivated for centuries in Europe and Asia. Purple Top White Globe became established as a named garden and agricultural cultivar because growers valued its rounded white root, purple shoulder and dual-purpose leaves and roots.

I could not verify a reliable primary source naming the individual breeder, exact year of creation or original breeding location of the Purple Top White Globe cultivar. Nor is there sufficient evidence here to attribute its creation to Pahuja Seeds. It is more accurate to describe Pahuja as the seed supplier and Purple Top White Globe as the cultivar type.

Scientific name, family and Bengali name

The botanical reference used by INRAE lists the crop as Brassica rapa subsp. rapa. Older agricultural literature may use Brassica campestris var. rapa or related historical naming conventions.

Info References and research sources:

The following sources support the cultivation ranges, soil requirements, harvesting advice, hydroponic discussion, nutritional information and Bangladesh seasonal recommendations in this guide.

Cultivation and cultivar information

1. University of Florida IFAS – Turnips — Purple Top White Globe, germination, sunlight, spacing and maturity.

2. University of Delaware Cooperative Extension – Turnips — Cultivar characteristics and common pests and diseases.

3. India National Horticulture Board – Turnip PDF — Soil, climate and pH requirements.

4. INRAE Ephytia – Turnip — Scientific name, seed count per gram, germination, crop cycle and storage conditions.

5. Virginia Tech Extension – Root Crops — Soil, pH, temperature, spacing, harvest and yield.

6. University of Minnesota Extension – Turnips and Rutabagas — Cultivation, pests, diseases, fertilisation and harvest.

7. University of California IPM – Growing Turnips — Soil preparation and cultural pest management.

8. Mississippi State University Extension – Turnips and Rutabagas — Root spacing and common growing problems.

9. British Columbia Government – Turnip Production Guide — Commercial seeding, nutrition, pest and disease management, and storage.

10. LSU AgCenter / Texas A&M – Turnip Production Guide PDF — Soil, seed depth, plant density and fertilisation.

11. University of Massachusetts Amherst – Rutabaga and Turnip — Nutrient recommendations and spacing.

12. J. Parker’s Seeds – Purple Top White Globe Growing Guide PDF — Cultivar description and harvest guidance.

13. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension – Vegetable Production Guide PDF — Cultivar maturity and yield information.

Hydroponics and scientific research

14. Journal of Applied Horticulture – Effect of nutrient levels on anthocyanin and nitrate-N in hydroponic turnips — Experimental hydroponic research on Japanese turnip.

15. Wyndham City – Seed Growing Instructions PDF — General Purple Top White Globe growing information.

Nutrition and food composition

16. USDA FoodData Central – Turnips, raw, Foundation Foods — Official food-composition database; search for “Turnips, raw.”

17. FoodData Explorer – Turnips, raw — Nutritional data derived from USDA Foundation Foods.

18. GetFoodFacts – Turnips, raw — Nutrient values per 100 g.

Bangladesh climate references

19. Bangladesh Meteorological Department – Climate — Official climate normals, rainfall and temperature information.

20. Japan Meteorological Agency – Dhaka monthly climate normals — Monthly mean temperature and precipitation.

21. Bangladesh Meteorological Department – Winter 2025–26 climate material — Seasonal climatological data.

Research limitation: The sources establish general turnip cultivation practices, not a verified proprietary specification sheet for Pahuja Seeds’ particular seed lot. The container fertiliser recipe, rooftop potting mix, watering volumes and hydroponic solution are practical starting recommendations developed from general horticultural principles; they have not been validated by a controlled trial of this exact cultivar in Dhaka.