Abstract
The objective of this field study was to measure the effect of defoliation during vegetative growth of corn ( Zea mays L.) on the shoot: root ratio. The yield from the various treatments would be used to validate a version of the crop-growth and yield model CERES-Maize that responds to defoliation. This field study was conducted near Mead, Nebraska in 1989 on a Sharpsburg silt loam (fine montmorillonitic, mesic Typic Argiudoll). The experiment was a randomized complete-block design with four blocks consisting of the factorial combination of 50 and 100% defoliation at the 7th and 12th visible leaf collar stages. A non-defoliation treatment was included for comparisons. The root, stem, sheath, leaf blade and ear dry weights were measured six times during the growing season. Corn plants defoliated during vegetative growth were able to reallocate dry matter such that within 7 days the shoot: root ration of the defoliated plants was similar to the control. Yields from the 100% defoliation treatments closely agreed with the predictions from a modified version of CERES-Maize.
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