Caracterização da distribuição e análise técnico-econômica de uma máquina para aplicação de fertilizantes e corretivos na cafeicultura

Abstract

Mechanization stands out in the productive process of most agricultural activities today, guaranteeing increased productivity in the tasks performed and reduced costs. In the coffee cultivation, the situation is not different. Mechanization is widespread and new tools and technologies that are able to contribute positively to the management of the crop have increased. However, in order to guarantee the effectiveness of the operations, it is necessary that the machines are adapted to the specific characteristics of each crop, justifying the accomplishment of works for their development and evaluation. The aim of this study was to evaluate a machine for fertilizers and agricultural liming materials application in coffee cultivation, taking into consideration the transversal distribution of fertilizer and the performance and costs of the machinery set. In order to meet the specific conditions of coffee cultivation, it was proposed a method to evaluate the transversal distribution of fertilizer in the field, based on the ISO 5690/1 standard. The distribution profile was characterized in different conditions, being them composed by a combination of three application rates, three rotational speeds of the distributing discs and two methods of operation (application on only one side of the plant or on both sides). The performance and costs of the machinery set were determined according to the two operation methods. In the method in which the machine applied product on only one side of the coffee plant (FA1), it was necessary to travel in only half of the lines. On the other hand, in the operation method in which the machine applied product on both sides of the coffee plant, it was necessary to travel all the lines. The hourly cost of the fertilizer application operation was calculated based on managerial data from the property where the study was conducted. Following, by relating the hourly cost and the performance parameters, it was possible to find the cost per hectare to carry out the operation within the field. In general, the application on only one side of the plant was the best alternative, since it presented greater field capacity and lower cost for the operation, besides providing good fertilizer distribution.