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Contribution of Husk Leaves to Maize Grain Yield 1
Author(s) -
Cantrell R. G.,
Geadelmann J. L.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1981.0011183x002100040017x
Subject(s) - husk , tassel , anthesis , biology , agronomy , zea mays , hybrid , grain yield , yield (engineering) , horticulture , poaceae , botany , cultivar , materials science , metallurgy
Mechanical detasseling is a common procedure in hybrid seed production of maize ( Zea mays L.) and is often accompanied by loss of leaves. No one has examined the potential of husk leaves, i.e., laminae extending from the husk, to compensate partially for leaf area lost during detasseling. We investigated the contribution of husk leaves to grain yield in three environments under normal conditions and under stress induced by partial defoliation prior to anthesis. The study involved four inbreds and two hybrids of early Corn Belt dent maize with high husk leaf area. Treatments consisted of a check, removal of the tassel plus the top two leaves prior to anthesis, and removal of all tissue above the uppermost ear prior to anthesis. Also, the husk leaves were either left intact (check) or removed when they are fully extended. Reduction in grain yield due to the removal of only the tassel and the top two leaves averaged 9.2% over all genotypes. Removal of all tissue above the uppermost ear caused an average yield loss of 50.2%. The decrease in yield due to complete husk leaf removal was significant for four of the six genotypes, and the average reduction was 2.6% (1.2 q/ha). The contribution of the husk leaves to grain yield was similar across the various detasseling treatments. Therefore, selection of seed parent inbreds for husk leaf areas similar to those we studied would not greatly offset yield reductions caused by mechanical detasseling.