Detasseling is most effective when maize tassels are just beginning to emerge but have not yet started to flower. At this stage, the plants are still relatively short, and the tassels are tender and easy to remove without causing damage. If detasseling is delayed too long, it can result in pulling off leaves or even breaking the stalks, which can harm the plant’s growth. It's best to perform this task on a sunny day between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., when temperatures are higher. This timing helps the plant heal more quickly from any wounds caused during the process.
In intercropping systems with summer maize, two common de-male methods are used: interlacing or septa emasculation. For live-on-sowing maize, one or two rows can be lined up and focused on during a concentrated period of 1 to 2 days, allowing for all exposed tassels to be removed efficiently. During this process, it's also important to remove tassels from diseased, weak, or inferior plants, as well as those infested with gallworms. This practice helps redirect nutrients toward the ear, reduces the occurrence of empty stalks, and ultimately increases grain weight and overall yield.
The ideal percentage of summer maize plants that should be detasseled depends on their development and field conditions. Plants that are well-developed, uniform, and free from pests should make up 35% to 40% of the total population in the field. However, the optimal range for castration is between 45% and 50%, as this balance ensures maximum productivity without overburdening the remaining plants.
When removing the top leaves, care must be taken not to injure the uppermost leaves, as they play a critical role in grain filling and the overall economic yield of the crop. These leaves contribute significantly to photosynthesis and energy production, so preserving them is essential for achieving high-quality harvests.
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