What Is Wrong If My Turnip Tops Are a Pale Green Color?

Sunburnt

• When turnips are introduced to too much sun, the tops and any exposed roots can turn pale green. The exposed areas of the root begin to produce chlorophyll, the same as the leaves, causing those areas to turn green. To avoid this, keep areas that you don't want to turn green covered with soil. When turnips grow, they begin to rise up out of the soil, so you need to keep compost and soil around the plant as much as possible.

Pale Leaves

• Turnip leaves vary in color, from dark to bright green, depending on what kind you are growing. When the leaves, however, begin changing to pale green and then to yellow, it could mean your plants have a nitrogen deficiency. You can correct this by applying fertilizer that includes nitrogen or using a nitrogen-based soil amendment, such as animal manure, fish meal or blood meal. It is best to apply a complete fertilizer to the soil prior to planting your turnips so that they have the correct nutrients from the start.

Turnip Mosaic

• If your turnip leaves are turning pale green and you know it's not from too much sun or a nitrogen deficiency, then a likely candidate is the turnip mosaic virus. The disease starts off with spotting, distorted leaves and discoloration, though the leaves begin losing color gradually until they turn yellow during the final stages. Aphids spread this virus quickly from plant to plant, so the best course of action is to use a pesticide to kill the aphids before they spread it further. If you notice your turnips showing signs of turnip mosaic disease, you should remove them immediately from your garden.

Considerations

• When turnip tops, leaves and roots turn green and you know it isn't from a disease, then it doesn't mean you have to throw away a perfectly good turnip. Pale green turnips can be eaten, though they may taste a bit different. However, if the roots have green spots, they should not be eaten because they can cause upset stomachs and allergic reactions. You can cut the roots to remove the green spots and then eat the rest.