ABSTRACT
Rutabaga is a root vegetable originated as an inter-specific hybrid bred in Switzerland between summer turnip and winter white cabbage. Rutabaga is one of the most nutritive root vegetables. It contains relatively more quantities of carbohydrates, proteins, minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium and vitamins especially vitamin B1, B2 and B5. The cultivated forms of rutabaga are dicotyledonary herbaceous annual for the purpose of root production and biennial for seed production. Rutabaga is well adapted to cool and humid growing conditions. It grows best in moderately deep, highly fertile soil with pH 6.0 to 6.5. Rutabaga seed size is comparable with that of the turnip. The seed rate usually depends on variety, viability of seed, growing season, type and fertility of soil and irrigation facilities. Brown heart in rutabaga is due to boron deficiency. The disorder is prevalent in very acidic soils where boron is deficient and in alkaline soils, in which, boron is not available to the plants.
