Top Cutting in Field Corn

Abstract

A studywas undertaken of the most appropriate age for top-cutting field corn in circumstances where farmers wish to use part of the plant as animal feed. The study was undertaken in the 1986 growing season at the National Corn and Sorghum Research Center in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, using the variety KTX 202.
Top cutting was done at 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40 and 44 days after silking, cuttinga t the node just above the ear node. Top cutting had th eeffect of reducing ear width, seed size, stem lodging and grain yeld, particularly when undertaken early; maturity time was also shortened. However, there was no effect on ear length or shelling percentage. The results of the trial indicated that top cutting at about 36 days after silking would have least effect on grain yield.