Effect of temperature on several characteristics of summer rape (Brassica napus L.)

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine if seed size, oil content, iodine number of oil, and protein content of rapeseed could be modified by subjecting rape plants to various temperature - time treatments from early bolting till maturity. Results from constant temperature treatments from both experiments show that seed size and oil content of rapeseed and iodine number of rapeseed oil could be decreased, whereas protein content was increased by exposing rape plants to high temperature from early bolting till maturity. This was generally also true for variable temperature treatments. Results from vaiable temperature treatments of both experiments show that characteristics of rapeseed were more susceptible to temperature treatment during terminal than during initial periods.