The Effect of Low Temperature on Oilseed Rape in Vegetative and Reproductive Growth Stages

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Crop and Horticultural Sciences Research Department, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Kermanshah, Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension Organization (AREEO), Kermanshah, Iran

2 Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

10.22126/atic.2026.11750.1194

Abstract

Low-temperature stress is a significant abiotic factor that adversely affects the growth and development of oilseed rape at various stages. This stress occurs in two forms: chilling and freezing. The key difference between them lies in temperature: chilling stress occurs at cold temperatures above the freezing point, while freezing stress involves exposure to sub-zero temperatures. The severity of cold damage in oilseed rape depends on several factors, including soil moisture conditions, the rate of ice melting, the plant’s developmental stage, the plant’s level of pre-adaptation, and the duration of the stress. Consequently, the type and intensity of cold injury can vary significantly across different growth stages, such as germination, vegetative growth, reproductive development, and seed filling. Moreover, temperature fluctuations within a single growing season can be so extreme that chilling injury in crops like oilseed rape becomes inevitable. Nevertheless, proper agronomic practices—such as ensuring adequate nutrition, selecting an optimal sowing date, utilizing cold-tolerant genotypes, and maintaining appropriate plant density—can effectively reduce or prevent chilling damage and its negative impacts.

Graphical Abstract

The Effect of Low Temperature on Oilseed Rape in Vegetative and Reproductive Growth Stages

Highlights

  • Oilseed rape faces two distinct types of low-temperature stress: chilling (above freezing) and freezing (below 0°C), each with unique physiological impacts.
  • The severity of cold damage is not uniform but is contingent upon a complex interplay of factors, including soil moisture, plant growth stage, pre-adaptation (cold acclimation), and the duration of the stress event.
  • Cold injury manifests uniquely across the plant's life cycle, causing specific physiological disruptions during germination, vegetative growth, reproduction, and the critical seed-filling stage.
  • The inherent volatility of temperature within a single growing season often renders chilling injury an unavoidable and significant production challenge.
  • Proactive strategies, particularly the deployment of cold-tolerant genotypes coupled with tailored agronomic management, present effective pathways to mitigate yield losses and enhance crop resilience.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Agrotechniques in Industrial Crops

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Available Online from 03 November 2025

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