Effect of Different Leaf Removal Treatments on Flowering in Certain Early Flowering Sugarcane Varieties

摘要

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects on flowering responses of the removal of selected leaves in sugarcane varieties during the induction period. It was found that the spindle leaf had a predominant role in the production of floral stimulus. The removal of leaf spindle once during the induction period, i.e. first week of August resulted in reduced flowering intensity and delayed flowering. The removal of all the leaves except the spindle leaf resulted in earlier flowering as compared to the undefoliated control. The removal of last exposed dewlap leaf (LED) and LED + 1, however, did not influence or affect flowering.