Posted 7/8/2020 13:50 (#8361499 - in reply to #8361394) Subject: RE: Yield Loss from Detasseling All Rows in Hybrid Corn Field
WC IL
The reason the leaves above the ear make the ear is because they are the leaves intercepting the most sunlight, the lower leaves are somewhat shaded. Typically detassling removes a portion of the upper leaves or damages them, making the plant more susceptible to disease.
I don't see how what you propose would add any yield. All it might do is get a little more sunlight to the lower leaves, but only because you would be removing the upper leaves.