Assessments of water deficit and heat stress for UK rapeseed cropping and their impacts on rapeseed yields

Key Points

• The aim is to assess the impact of water deficit and heat stress on rapeseed yields in the UK.
• Analyzed climate data from 1981–2020 for water deficit and heat stress
• Identified regions with increasing risks of water deficit and heat stress
• Compared predictive capabilities of water deficit indices and heat stress on rapeseed yields
• Water deficit and heat stress were found to negatively affect rapeseed yields.
• Water deficit indices predicted regional rapeseed yields more accurately than heat stress.
• Southeastern UK has the highest risk of encountering significant water deficit and heat stress.