Abstract
Seed processing machines remove viable seeds from non-viable seeds and inert materials based on physical characteristics. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of each processing machine alone on the physical and physiological qualities of the soybean seeds. Seed samples of two soybean cultivars - BMX Potência RR and NK 7059 RR - were collected from five machines separately: air-screen machine, spiral separator, size grader and gravity separator. The experimental design was a completely randomized factorial, varying with the equipment, with 20 replications. Samples were assessed by germination test, accelerated aging, viability and vigor by tetrazolium test (TZ), weathering damages (TZ class 3), mechanical damages (TZ 1-8) and (TZ 6-8), stink bug damages (TZ 1-8) and weight of one thousand seeds. The air-screen machine and the spiral separator did not contribute to improve physiological quality of seeds; the size grader concentrated mechanical damages in larger sizes and stink bug damages in smaller sizes. Gravity separators showed higher quality seeds at the upper part of the machine compared to intermediate and lower parts. Mechanical damages and stink bug damages can be reduced by gravity separator and weathering damages are not eliminated by any of the machines.
Highlights
The production of soybean seed of high quality depends on the use and adoption of techniques ranging from seeding to processing and storage
Transport equipment must be well chosen and dimensioned as it directly affects the quality of the seeds and may increase or not the mechanical damage (Oliveira et al, 1999), affect industrial performance and allow or prevent the occurrence of mechanical mixing
Samples were collected from five equipment during the flow of processing alone, and they are: air-screen machine, spiral separator, size grader, two gravity separators, being one for seeds size 6.5 mm and another for the seeds size 5.5 mm of the Seed Processing Plant of Cocari – Cooperativa Agropecuária e Industrial (Agricultural and Industrial Cooperative), in the city of Faxinal, in the state of Paraná, Brazil
Summary
The production of soybean seed of high quality depends on the use and adoption of techniques ranging from seeding to processing and storage. In addition to decisions such as the choice of cultivars with traits that show high physiological potential and productivity (França-Neto and Krzyzanowski, 2004), it becomes important that the design of a seed processing plant take into account machines suitable for cleaning and separation of seeds, arranged effectively, linked by transportation equipment that help to maintain or improve the initial quality of the batches received. For the processing of soybean seeds the following equipment are used: pre-cleaning machine, dryer, air-screen machine (cleaning machine), spiral separator, size grader and gravity separator (França-Neto et al, 2007). Buitrago et al (1991) working with bean seeds in an airscreen machine did not find any significant improvement in the physiological and sanitary quality of them, but identified the elevation of the physical purity of the batch by the removal of larger, smaller and lighter materials The air-screen machine consists of an equipment with the basic function of cleaning the batch, whose separation is based on differences in seed size and weight and employs three separation elements: aspiration, with which the light material is removed from the seeds; defoliation, in which the good seeds pass through the screen holes, and the larger material is retained and forwarded to an outlet and screening nozzle, in which the good seed slides over the holes in the screen, while smaller particles fall through them (Vaughan et al, 1976). Buitrago et al (1991) working with bean seeds in an airscreen machine did not find any significant improvement in the physiological and sanitary quality of them, but identified the elevation of the physical purity of the batch by the removal of larger, smaller and lighter materials
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