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

Document Type

Thesis

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