Detasseling

Detasseling is the act of removing the pollen-producing (or "male") tassel from a corn (maize) plant. Detasseling is done to breed, or hybridise , two different varieties of corn. By removing the tassels from all plants of one variety, all the grain growing on those plants will be fertilized by the other variety's tassels. This creates a hybrid of the two varieties. Mechanized detasselers exist, the largest producer of which is Hagie Manufacturing Co. of Clarion, IA, but detasseling by hand is still necessary due to the variation in height of corn plants. Working in the field detasseling is considered a rite of passage throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana.

See also

• Plant breeding