EFFECT OF SOWING DATE AND PLANT SPACING ON SEED YIELD AND QUALITY OF TURNIP BRASSICA COMPESTRIS

Two field experiments were carried out in Barrage Horticultural Research Station, Miniistry of Agriculture, Kaliubia Governorate. Seeds of turnip cv. iraky (Brassica compestres, var Rapa, L) were sown at three dates i.e on 1st Sep., 1st Oct., and 1st Nov. during the two growing sea­sons. Bulbs of rooted seedling were transplanted at spacing of 20, 40 and 60 cm. between hills on 1 5th Oct., 15 th Nov. and 15 th Dec. during 1994 and 1995 seasons. Obtained results indicated that rooted bulbs planted on 1 5th Dec. produced the earliest flowers. However the highest average length of the main seedstalk, number of seedstalks, pods weight/plot, seed weight/plot, seed weight/fed., seed index, germina­tion percentage and faster germination rate were obtained by the sec­ond sowing date (15 th Nov.). Data indicated that planting rooted bulbs at 15 th Nov. and at spacing of 40 and 60 cm gave the best seed quality during the two sea­sons. However, the highest seed yield was obtained with the closest space (20 cm), when the bulbs planted on 1 5th Nov., where yield was 609.52 and 643.38 kg/Fed for the two seasons, 1994 and 1995, re­spectively.