MESQUITA, C. M.; COSTA, N. P.; QUEIROZ, E. F.
Abstract:
This su rvey was accom plished in 41 farms throughout Para
ná State and had th e following objectiv e s : 1) To evaluate the
level o f soybeans harvesting losses ; 2) to idenify the combine components w ich are responsible f o r the losses ; 3) To analyse the behavior of floating cutterbars as equipments to reduce
the losses ; 4) To analyse the damages im parted to soybean see
ds during harvestin g ; 5) To analyse the effect of the moisture
contenton losses , seed v ig o r and germ ination by Standard and te
tra zoliu mtests ; 6) To stu dy s tr u c tu r a l particularities o f soy_
bean plants which arerelate d to the losses . The results showed a level of 10,2% losses . The combine
header was responsible fo r 84,8% o f the total losses ; threshing
and separating losses took 12% and preharvest losses 3,2%. There
was no statistical difference between the losses caused by flo a
tin g and Standard c u tte r b a r s . The effect of m echanical damages
on seed v ig o r and germination accom plished by tetrazolium teste presented highly significant differences when harvesting done by hands was aompared to th a t com bined. Moisture content levels lowev tha n 11,57o showed significantly different effects in all factors when compared to higher moisture content levels. Amona the
studied plant characteristics the height of the first pod was responsible for the greatest losses.