Perdas de grãos na operação de colheita mecanizada de soja com uso de tecnologia de automação

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the primary global commodities due to its role as a raw material for various products in both human and animal consumption. Throughout the production process, losses occur from sowing to storage, with a substantial portion happening in the field during harvesting operations. Grain losses directly impact productivity and profitability for farmers. One significant cause of these losses is improper combine adjustments, as well as variations in cultivar characteristics that require frequent machine calibration. To facilitate adjustments in threshing, separation, cleaning systems, and operational speed, technologies like Combine Advisor® (CA) have been developed to help reduce grain losses. This study aimed to quantify grain losses during harvest with the CA system activated and deactivated under different combine inclinations. The research followed a 3x2 factorial design (combine harvester inclinations: flat, uphill, downhill) x (CA on and off). Results indicated neither CA activation and combine harvester inclination significantly affected soybean grain losses during harvest. However, the automation provided by the CA system contributed to greater operational efficiency.