Objective The selection of multi-functional rapeseed varieties with short growth period suitable for winter planting in triple cropping (rice-rice-rapeseed) areas based on the climate characteristics and agricultural production needs in Guangdong Province was performed to optimize the planting structure, improve the land use efficiency and meet the market demand for high-quality rapeseed.

Method Eleven different rapeseed varieties, including 'Yunyouza 28' 'Yunyoushuang 2' 'Qingza 7' 'Qingza 5' 'Yangguang 131' 'Quanyouza 9' 'Yunyouza 15' 'Peng 40' 'Huayouza 62' '23P63-7 female' and 'Huayouza 158'(CK) were selected as test materials. The entire growth period, agronomic traits, yield, and flowering stem quality of these varieties were determined through a planting selection trial under winter planting conditions in 5 regions of Guangdong Province over a period of 3 years. The obtained data were analyzed statistically.

Result The entire growth period, agronomic traits, yield, and flowering stem quality were significantly different among the tested rapeseed varieties. The varieties 'Yunyoushuang 2' and 'Peng 40' showed significant advantages in terms of growth period, agronomic traits, yield, and flowering stem quality, with the shortest entire growth period of 120 and 119 days, respectively, particularly with a long flowering time of 34 days, ranking the second in all tested varieties. The rapeseed yield of 'Yunyoushuang 2' was the highest, reaching 1 827.80 kg/hm²; The thousand-grain weight of 'Peng 40' rapeseed was 3.16 g and peaked in all tested varieties. In terms of the flowering stem quality, 'Yunyoushuang 2' had the highest content of reducing sugar of 63.71 mg/g. The crude protein content of 'Peng 40' ranked the third among the tested varieties at 296.12 g/kg, with the lowest crude fiber content of 6.43% simultaneously.

Conclusion The two rapeseed varieties, 'Yunyoushuang 2' and 'Peng 40' present the optimal field performance under winter planting conditions in the triple cropping areas of Guangdong, with the advantages of short growth period, long flowering time, high yield and flowering stem quality. They can be used as ideal winter multifunctional rapeseed varieties, which are suitable for increased promotion and planting in triple cropping areas of Guangdong.