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Turnip (Shalgam)RabiOpen-pollinatedUpdated 6 September 2026

Pusa Sweti

An IARI Asiatic (desi) variety with smooth, round, pure white roots and mild flavour, bred for the northern plains. Quick to mature and a heavy, reliable cropper for the everyday market.

SeasonRabi
Maturity period45–50 days
Expected yield20–25 t/ha
Suitable soilLoam

Quick facts

Crop
Turnip (Shalgam)
Type
Open-pollinated
Season
Rabi
Maturity period
45–50 days
Seed rate
3–4 kg/ha (about 1.2–1.6 kg/acre), sown thinly in rows
Expected yield
20–25 t/ha
Suitable soil
Loam
Release
Released by ICAR-IARI, New Delhi

About this variety

Pusa Sweti is an Asiatic (desi) turnip variety released by ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, bred for the warmer conditions of the northern Indian plains rather than the true cold a European turnip needs. Its roots are smooth-skinned, round and pure white, with mild, non-pungent flesh that cooks well and is favoured for everyday household use across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana. Being an Asiatic type, it tolerates sowing in the residual warmth of August and September, unlike European turnips which must wait for real cold — this is what makes it a practical choice for an early rabi planting or a quick catch crop. It matures fast, typically pulled within 45–50 days of sowing, and gives a heavy, dependable yield for a smallholder or market-garden plot.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeOpen-pollinated
    Maturity45–50 days
    Yield potential20–25 t/ha
    Disease resistanceNo special resistance widely documented
    SoilLoam
    SeasonRabi

Sowing & cultivation

  • Sowing timeMid-August to September in the northern plains
  • Seed rate3–4 kg/ha (about 1.2–1.6 kg/acre), sown thinly in rows
  • SpacingRows 30 cm apart; plants thinned to 8–10 cm apart in the row

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

45–50 days

Expected yield

20–25 t/ha

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

  • No special resistance widely documented

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Heat-tolerant enough for an early rabi (August–September) sowing, unlike European turnip types.
  • Smooth, round, pure white roots with mild flavour suited to everyday cooking.
  • Fast maturity (45–50 days) makes it useful as a quick catch crop between two main crops.

Things to consider

  • Being an Asiatic type, it does not keep as long in storage as a European (temperate) turnip variety — best sold and eaten fresh within a few days of pulling.

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Bihar
  • Punjab
  • Haryana