Hello
@Ak_keith ! The point of defoliation is to increase the light penetration and air circulation. Since at this point your canopy doesn't seem to thick i wouldn't do anything but in about a week you will definitely need to cut some leaves. More leaves certainly doesn't mean more photosynthesis especially when these leaves are at the bottom of the plant and don't receive any light. Except of that there are other factors that limits the photosynthesis rates like the co2 quantity the light intensity and the limits that rubisco enzyme sets ( an enzyme responsible for co2 fixation to energy ). Happy growing ! 👊
