Perdas na colheita mecanizada de soja na região de Pato Branco - PR

Abstract

The loss in the soybean harvest is one of the main factors that can reduce the net profit of Brazilian crops and that, many times, may by minimized with adjustments and preventive revisions of the machines or with operational training. Thus, the aim objective of the present study were to identify and evaluate the factors that caused losses in the mechanized harvest of soybeans, in Pato Branco region in the 2019/2020. For this purpose, 10 randomly chosen farms in the municipality of Pato Branco - PR were evaluated. Operator information was obtained through a questionnaire asking age, experience time and whether or not the operator had specialized training. The information on the harvesters (model, brand, year of manufacture and threshing system) it was done available by the owners of the areas. The characteristics of soybean plants in the areas were evaluated with three replications in each location, where the height of plants, the height of insertion of the first pod and grain moisture were evaluated.The natural harvest losses were identified by means of a 2 m2 frame randomly thrown at three points in each area, where the naturally lost grains were collected and weighed before the harvester entered. The evaluation of losses in the cutting mechanisms was carried out by stopping the harvester, retreating four meters, throwing the frame and collecting the lost grains. Finally, the losses in the trail system were done after the harvester had passed. The data obtained were submitted to exploratory analysis using descriptive statistics, with results presented in the form of graphs. It was concluded that in the region of Pato Branco - PR, there is a predominance of Jhon Deere® harvesters with axial track system. In addition, all evaluated harvesters presented harvest losses greater than 90 kg ha-1, which is due to two main factors: lack of operational training and poor adjustment of the harvesters.