The effect of defoliation on the yield of leek (Allium porrum L.)

The foliar area loss is a typical damage in crops caused by fungus, insects or hailstorm. A lot of studies have been carried out to describe the effect of defoliation in the main herbaceous and woody crops. The results of two trials carried out in Valle Medio of the Ebro (Spain) are described in this study to determine the effects of different levels of defoliation in several phenological stages in leek crop. Four levels of defoliation were applied: control, slight, moderate and heavy, in six different phenological stages. Defoliations were carried out by means of a jet of water under pressure. According to the results observed, a close relationship between the yield loss with the percentage of defoliation and the crop stage was found. The most critical stage was at the beginning of the stem thickening in which there are maximum losses of 41% with 100% of defoliation. These experimental results were used to obtain regression equations in which the percentage of yield reduction is calculated in relation with the phenological stage and the percentage of defoliation. These equations can be used to improve simulation patterns of the leek growth in case of foliar damages caused by fungus, insect attacks or hailstorm.