Effect of climatic variables and sowing date on winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) development and yield

Abstract

Climate change differentially affects crops, since the effects are caused by combination of changes in growing conditions and the timing of phenological phases. Winter rapeseed is vulnerable to local climatic conditions because of its lengthy growth period and overwintering ability. The information on the cultivar x environment interaction provides valuable data to plant breeders and agronomists for the identification of superior cultivars in specific environments, and defines site-specific best management practices. A further step in the cultivar (C) and year (Y) interaction analysis (C x Y) for rapeseed, would be to investigate the effect of specific climatic variables throughout developmental stages. Such data could be used to dissect the year effect and determine which variables are the most significant for an optimal plant development at each growth stage. The effect of climatic variables on the winter rapeseed developmental stages and yield in Southeast Europe has not yet been analysed simultaneously, although their interaction is important to breeders and growers.