EFFECT OF MAIZE PLANT DETASSELING ON GRAIN YIELD, TOLERANCE TO HIGH PLANT DENSITY AND DROUGHT STRESS 1

摘要: Maize (Zea mays L.) is unusually susceptible to drought and high density stresses at fiowering. In part, this related its monoecial floral organization, which favors development ofthe male inflorescence, assurini j,ollen production dispersion the expense of ear silk develop- ment. This field experiment was conducted evaluate potential benefits eliminating tassel, in terms increasing grain yield maize tolerance piam stress. Four genotypes were studied 1993 1994 Ames, IA, liS. Each genotype evaivated densities 25,000 75,000 pl ha1. Tassel removal, either partial or total, did not significantly enhance components, regardless plant cultivar. Grain higher p1 ha' than both years. No difference observed between male-sterile fertile counterparts. The absence stress, mechanical damage leaves during tassel removal contributed lo prevent a positive response suppres- sion.