Abstract: Defoliation of maize plants, based on percent seed moisture, has advantageous outcomes including greater number of seeds per pound; increased volume or proportion of saleable seed per field and per female acre; decreased discard of seed due to commercially undesirable size or shape; lower moisture content of seed at harvest; earlier harvest date; less fuel and time expended in drying seed for storage; improved performance in laboratory tests for germination at cold temperatures; improved seed treatment efficacy; improved emergence under stress in field conditions; improved plantability in mechanical systems; more uniform stand; fewer runt plants and improved grain yield.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for diagnosing plant anomalies found at remote locations using video imaging. A diagnostic technician at a diagnostic station is capable of diagnosing a plant anomaly and recommending a course of action based upon images trasmitted from a remote workstation. The diagnostic technician has access to a database of images and/or descriptions of plant pathogens, lesions and other anomalies to assist in making a diagnosis. It is further preferred that field data relevant to the diseased plant sample is collected at the remote workstation and provided to the diagnostic technician for diagnostic purposes.