with a germination temperature of 6 °c which is also equivalent to the basal growing temperature, "c. abyssinica" is a winter crop in southern europe and subtropical areas whereas it is cultivated as spring crop in northern europe and more continental areas. the optimal growing temperature is approximately 15 °c. it tolerates annual average temperature between 5.7 and 16.2 °c and frost down to -6 °c. because of its ability to get along with only 350mm of precipitation, "c. abyssinica" is considered to be relatively drought tolerant. nevertheless, drought stress during the development stages of flowering and grain filling reduces productivity. cultivation is possible up to an annual precipitation of 1200mm. crambe has modest demands regarding soil properties, it tolerates soil ph from 5.0 to 7.8. low soil depth and a high stone and gravel content decrease drought tolerance.