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Published in Crop Sci 21:544-546 (1981)
© 1981 Crop Science Society of America
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Contribution of Husk Leaves to Maize Grain Yield1

R. G. Cantrell and J. L. Geadelmann2

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.

Key Words: Dent corn • Zea mays L. • Detasseling • Seed production

1 Contribution from the Dep. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108. Paper No. 11,409, Scientific Journal Series. Part of thesis submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. Degree.

2 Former graduate research assistant (present address: Agronomy Dep., North Dakota State Univ., Fargo, ND 58105) and professor of plant breeding.

Received for publication September 29, 1980.




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Copyright © 1981 by the Crop Science Society of America.