Lol....I spent maybe a month reading about it before I came to the conclusion to just try it.
The logic I came up with(or convinced myseld of) was that HID would only penetrate 12-18" and the bottom part of the plant wouldn't get light so leaves don't need to be there...
Also that defoliating would remove the "light blocking" leaves lol....There are none haha...There's light intensity, and not lol...that's that!
All leaves are used to produce! None are light blockers....Less leaves, less production. That's been my conclusion after after my first and last bout experience defoliation lol.
Hopefully you come to your conclusion as swift lol! I started on the side saying that defoliation could work for better yeilds lol...Oops!
Maybe if you EXTREME defoliation during veg...But I do not think during flowering you should defoliate!
I think both schools have points lol just depends on your situation!
If you got a 3 foot plants growing under CFLs being lit from the top, you should prob defoliation lol.
If you have an 18" plant under a 400w or 600w light, there shouldn't be a need to defoliation! Everything will be getting lit!
But yeahh I used to think just like you lol. Like 3 months ago maybe lol. Then I just kept reading.....Not saying you're not right...Just waiting on you agree with me after you give it a run lol!
Good luck hustling boss