Effect of Leaf and Tassel Defoliation Applications on Kernel Yield and Ear Characteristics in Different Phenological Periods in Corn Plants

This research was conducted in 2018 in order to determine the effect of leaf and tassel defoliation at different periods on yield and yield components in the ecological conditions of Karaman-Kazımkarabekir. Pioneer 0573 hybrid corn variety was used as a material in the study, which was carried out in four replications according to the Randomised Block Design. In the study, 10 different applications (U1: Control (No application was done on plants, U2: Defoliation 4 leaves from the bottom when there are 6 leaves of corn, U3; Defoliation 4 leaves from the bottom when there are 10 leaves of corn, U4: Defoliation the leaves under the ear before the tasseling, U5: Defoliation leaves on the ear immediately after the tasseling has emerged, U6: Defoliation the leaves under the ear immediately after the tasseling comes out, U7: Defoliation the leaves under the ear immediately after the tassel comes out and defoliation off the tassel, U8: Defoliation the leaves under the ear during the milk maturation period, U9: Defoliation the leaves under the ear during the milk ripening period and defoliation of the tasseling, U10: Defoliation the leaves under the ear during the dough ripening period) has been investigated. The effects of the applications examined in the study on the grain yield, the number of kernel in the ear, the length of the ear, the diameter and the number of kernel per row of the ear were determined. As a result of the research, the effects of leaf and tassel defoliation at different periods on the grain yield, ear length, ear diameter, number of kernels in the ear and the number of kernels in the row were found to be statistically significant. In the study, the highest grain yield was determined in 2006 kg / da in the control plots, and the lowest in the U5 application plots where all the leaves were defolations from the top of the ear just after the tassel has emerged. Leaf and tassel defoliations at different periods affected the grain yield negatively between 13% (U8) - 42% (U5) depending on the control application. As a result of this research on the effects of damage to the leaves due to various reasons such as diseases and pests in corn cultivation, it has been revealed that the health of the leaves in the corn plant is much more important in terms of grain yield, especially after the formation of the ear.