Effect of heat stress on canola yield: A novel method of imposing heat stress in the field environment

Abstract

Key findings • • A preliminary experiment in 2017 showed that extra heat can be applied to canola plots successfully using specially designed heat chambers. • • Heat stress of four days, applied seven days after flowering started, significantly reduced the grain yield of the flowers opening during that period. • • Four days of heat stress significantly reduced harvest index and thousand seed weight at the plot level, however, grain yield and biomass yield was not affected due to recovery during cooler nights. • • Further research is needed to extend the duration and intensity of heat stress to show differences, and for rigorous validation across different varieties.