There is little information, in tropical areas concerning the effects of blade removal on maize crop characteristics. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of defoliation during the grain filling period. The experiment was arranged as a factorial complete randomized block design with blade removal at two different plant insertion points (above and below corn ear), with two percentages of blade removal (50% and 100%), and four phenological stages (R1, R2, R3, and R4). There were three blocks. Two identical experiments were installed, in 12/11/2005 and 21/12/2005. The hybrids GNZ 2004 and P 30F33 were evaluated in both experiments. Blade removal treatment above corn ear promoted higher grain yield loss in all reproductive stages in relation to the blade removal below corn ear. Blade removal treatment did not change with phenological stages. Results of blade removal below corn ear were similar to 50% of defoliation treatment above the ear. In addition, corn plant lodging was little affected by manual blade removal.
Zea mays; defoliation; reproductive stage
