Effects of shoot apex excision and leaf cutting on development of axillary shoot in maize plant.

Effects of shoot apex excision, leaf cutting and upper axillary shoot excision at four developmental stages (Table 1) on development of axillary shoot in tillering (cv. Longfellow) and no-tillering maize (cv. Yellow Dent) were investigated. When shoot apices were excised (upper internodes and upper axillary buds were excised at the same time) at vegetative and apical inflorescence initiation stages, axillary buds at lower node developed into tillers in both cultivars. Excision of developing apical inflorescence a little promoted development of axillary shoots at middle nodes. Excision at tasselling stage had no effect on axillary shoots (Figs. 1, 3). Leaf cutting at any stage resulted in suppression of development of all axillary shoots (Figs. 2, 4). When uppermost axillary shoot which had developed into fertile car was excised before silking, the axillary shoot just below it developed into fertile ear.