In three of five cases, tassel removal from corn ( Zea mays L.) at or near tassel emergence increased grain yields. The increase was larger and more consistent at higher populations. When leaf tissue was removed with the tassel, yields were decreased, although this effect was smaller at higher populations. A large portion of the yield response from detasseling resulted from the elimination of tassel light interception. Simulated small tassel size (produced by tassel side branch removal) resulted in increased grain yields.
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Hunter et al. (1969) studied this question.
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