Effect of Defoliation on Growth and Yield of Maize

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of defoliation on grain and fodder yield maize at research field laboratory Crop Physiology Ecology Department, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science Technology University, Dinajpur during period December 2018 June 2019. trial carried out in a randomized completely block design with three replications. experimental treatments were: T1– Control (without leaf removal), T2–Defoliating all leaves except ear adjacent two above 7 days after silking (DAS), T3–Defoliating 14DAS, T4–Defoliating below DAS, T5–Defoliating 14 T6– Detopping DAS T7–Detopping DAS. Light intensity increased (66.9 81.05%) when only lower (T5) or both upper (T2) were removed, but (T6) removed it not increased. SPAD value (13.58 24.5%) number area plant-1 reduced (60.5 63.09% 64.4%) due defoliation. Substantial amount green obtained (0.776 Kg m-2) maize. Grain (5.56 21.83%) different reduction significant (T4) (T7) removed.
 Bangladesh Agron. J. 2022, 25(2): 31-41