Response of Corn ( Zea mays L.) to Defoliation
Date
4-1992
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
Major Course
Major in Agronomy
College
College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)
Adviser/Committee Chair
Danilo P. Baldos
Abstract
The study was conducted to determine the critical stage and degree of defoliation that will result in yield loss and to evaluate the dry matter distribution as affected by leaf removal in corn (Zea mays L.) Defoliation was applied at 40 days after emergence and 50 days after emergence. The treatments consisted of removing 1) no leaves (control). 2) 25% of the leaf area (every third leaf), 3) 50 of the leaf area (alternate leaf), and 4) 100% of the leaf area (all leaves). Dry matter distribution was monitored by sampling plants at 2-weeks intervals from 50% tassel emergence to black layer formation.
Leaf removal at 50 days after emergence significantly reduced grain yield. Complete defoliation was more detrimental (90% yield loss) than partial defoliation (40% yield loss for 25% defoliation and 63% yield loss for 50% defoliation). This loss was primarily due to reduced rate of dry matter accumulation in the grain during grain-filling period.
Dry matter distribution in leaf, husk, cob and kernels was altered by complete defoliation at 50 days after emergence, while those that were defoliated at 40 DAE only the stem weights affected. The study showed that complete defoliation at 50 days after emergence greatly altered the dry matter distribution and decreased grain yield in corn.
Language
English
Location
UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)
Call Number
LG 993.5 1992 A42 M67
Recommended Citation
Mosteiro, Ana Marie V., "Response of Corn ( Zea mays L.) to Defoliation" (1992). Undergraduate Theses. 9503.
https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/etd-undergrad/9503
Document Type
Thesis