Abstract
ABSTRACT The mechanized harvesting of soybean is a fundamental tool in the production process of this crop and, if not performed properly, it can result in severe mechanical damage to the seeds, causing significant losses at harvest, particularly due to reduced quality. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the physical and physiological quality of soybean seeds at three speeds of the harvester, using statistical process control. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Conceição das Alagoas, MG, Brazil, with three travel speeds: 4.5, 5.0 and 5.5 km h-1. The seed samples were collected at 20 min intervals for 3 h of operation, with a total of 9 samples for each speed. The evaluations were performed based on the following parameters: grain temperature, water content, concave opening, cylinder rotation, mechanical damage and electrical conductivity. The physical and physiological quality of the seeds was dependent on the displacement speed of machine. The highest speed led to lower mechanical damage and higher vigor of soybean seeds.
Highlights
Using high-quality soybean seeds is essential to obtain high yield (Barbosa et al, 2012)
It is essential that regulations, such as harvester speed, cylinder rotation and concave opening, be adequate in order to reduce mechanical damages and losses in seed quality during harvest (França Neto et al, 2007)
The evaluations were performed based on the following parameters: seed temperature, seed water content, concave opening, cylinder rotation, mechanical damages and electrical conductivity of the seeds
Summary
Using high-quality soybean seeds is essential to obtain high yield (Barbosa et al, 2012). The impacts and friction caused by the threshing system are the main responsible for cracks and breaks in the seeds (Cunha et al, 2009), which considerably reduces their vigor. It is essential that regulations, such as harvester speed, cylinder rotation and concave opening, be adequate in order to reduce mechanical damages and losses in seed quality during harvest (França Neto et al, 2007). Another important aspect to be considered during harvest is the moisture level of the seeds. It is recommended that harvest be performed in seeds with moisture of 12-14% (Daltro et al, 2010)
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