Tillering of Sweet Corn Reduced by Clipping of Early Leaves1

Abstract

Tiller development of sweet corn (Zea mays L.) was slowed or terminated following clipping of early leaves. Clipping reduced the size or mass of tillers more than it reduced tiller number. Increasing stand density and early clipping both reduced tillering. Planting date had little effect on tiller production, with or without clipping.

Accounting for Increases in the Harvest Index of Sweet Corn following Early Leaf Clipping1

“…Consequently, we clipped sweet com cultivars with different tillering habits. We reaffirmed that tillering was reduced following clipping (4), but concluded that tiller reductions alone could not account for the observed harvest index changes. Even an inbred which produced no tillers had an increased harvest index following cutting.…”