Description
The rapeseed production in the world has more than doubled in the last twenty years. Total world
production increased from 26.7 x 106 in 1992 to 62.5 x 106 in 2011 [1]. The increase in rapeseed production has been
stimulated by the improved quality of the oil for human consumption, but also due to the increased demand for the
production of biodiesel. Rapeseed production is widespread in Europe. However, in the Mediterranean basin the crop
may experience severe water stress during the spring months, reducing the yield potential of the crop and consequently
its profitability. In Portugal the cultivation of rapeseed was not yet adopted by the farmers, although some studies had
been carried out to assess the environmental suitability for growing this crop [2,3]. In this work we report results of new
experiments where different nitrogen rates, sowing dates and cultivars were tested.
; Maia, Lino 
