Turnip belogs to the Family Brassicaceae, Genus Brassica , Species Brassica rapa and Variety Brassica rapa var. rapa L. Turnip (Brassica rapa syn. B. campestris L. ssp. rapifera Matzg), belonging to the Brassica genus, has been an important global crop for centuries, first being cultivated in China in 2500 B.C. In England around 1700, Charles "Turnip" Townshend promoted the use of turnips in a four-year crop-rotation system that enabled year-round livestock feeding. In most of England, the smaller white vegetables are called turnips, while the larger yellow ones are referred to as swedes. In the United States, turnips are the same, but swedes are usually called rutabagas. The turnip, Brassica rapa var. rapa, is a root vegetable commonly grown in temperate climates worldwide for its white, bulbous taproot. Small, tender varieties are grown for human consumption, while larger varieties are grown as feed for livestock. The turnip is also known as white turnip, neeps, tourn, rapes. In France it is navet, also known as rave, bulbe de racine ; du grec ραπυς, ραπυος : rave. Human selection has shaped wild Brassica rapa into diverse turnip, leafy, and oilseed crops. The turnip or white turnip is a root vegetable. Some smaller varieties are grown for human consumption while others are used as fodder. The leaves are sometimes eaten as “turnip greens”. Turnip grows in temperate climates. This species (Brassica rapa) has also been bred to produce the widely-cultivated seed-oil crop known as rape or canola. This oil is used for cooking, but also lubricating oils, plastics manufacturing and biodiesel. The byproducts (seed solids) are used in animal feeds. The term turnip also is used for two other vegetables, Brassica napus var. napobrassica (or B. napobrassica) and Pachyrhizus. Brassica napus var. napobrassica (a cross between Brassica rapa rapa and cabbage) is commonly known as rutabaga or yellow turnip in the United States and as swede in Southern England and most Commonwealth countries. The fully developed tender roots of turnip are uprooted on attaining the marketable size. Normally the roots are harvested when they are 5–10cm in diameter depending upon the variety. On an average it yields 200–400q/ha. Whip tail is caused due to deficiency of Molebdinum. This is more common in acidic soils. However, it is controlled by the application of 1.2kg/ha of sodium or ammonium molybdate. In this review article on Origin, Domestication, Taxonomy, Botanical Description, Genetics and Cytogenetics, Genetic Diversity, Breeding, Uses, Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of Turnip are discussed.
