Leaf Removal and Planting Density Effects on Grain Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea mays L.)
1992
Senait Asefa | Dejene Mekonen
An experiment was conducted at Alemaya in 1986 and 1987 to study the effects of leaf removal and planting density on yield and yield components of maize. Higher grain yields were recorded at higher population densities. Grain yield was significantly reduced when leaves were removed at any stage of plant development when compared with the control. Defoliation at 50 percent flowering had a significant negative effect on all variables. There was an interaction between planting density and degree of defoliation with regard to grain yield. When the leaves below the upper ear were removed, a 10.7 percent grain yield increase was recorded over the control at the population of 133 333 plants ha-1. Results showed that at high population densities the leaves above the upper most ear are more important than the lower ones. Grain yield also increased with increasing population density and delayed time of defoliation. It was concluded that partial defoliation, below the upper ear, at high planting densities modifies the photosynthetic efficiency of leaves. Furthermore, the present study indicated that defoliation should be delayed until 30 days after 50 percent flowering
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