ABSTRACT Although peanut harvesting results in significant losses, it has rarely been investigated. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the interference of different pod moisture contents on peanut harvesting and their influence on the process quality based on losses and impurities. An experiment was performed in a peanut seed producing area, in Luzitânia, district of Jaboticabal - SP, using average moisture contents of 15% and 20% in the pods; 16 and 14 data points were collected for the 20% and 15% treatments, respectively. The experimental design used statistical process control (SPC) to analyze the collected variables. The results indicated higher losses in the platform than in the machine. In addition, the harvest quality was not affected by the pod moisture content. However, the correct adjustment of machines can restrict total losses to approximately 1% of the yield. Pods with moisture contents of 15% and 20% can be used for peanut harvesting. However, although a pod moisture content of 15% reduced the amount of mineral and vegetal impurities inside the bulk tank, the number of open pods increased, whereas a pod moisture content of 20% provided a greater number of whole pods.

RESUMO O sucesso da lavoura de soja depende de diversos fatores, entre eles cita-se a utilização de sementes de elevada qualidade fisiológica a fim de garantir a obtenção da população de plantas desejada na lavoura. Dessa forma, objetivou-se, por meio das ferramentas do Controle Estatístico de Processo (CEP), monitorar possíveis falhas no processo de produção das sementes e buscar relação entre os testes de germinação e tetrazólio. O delineamento experimental foi baseado nas premissas do CEP, utilizando como indicadores de qualidade a porcentagem de germinação, viabilidade das sementes, danos mecânicos, por percevejo e por umidade. Foi possível detectar falhas no processo de produção de sementes de soja por meio das cartas de controle, dos testes de germinação e tetrazólio, sendo principalmente estas causas relacionadas a danos mecânicos e ataque de percevejos.

ABSTRACT The success of soybean cultivation depends on several factors, one which is the use of high-quality seeds, which can guarantee growth of the desired plant population. The objective of this study was to monitor possible failures during the seed production process, and to determine the association between germination and tetrazolium tests through tools of Statistical Process Control (CEP). The experimental design was based on premises of the CEP, using percentage of germination, seed viability, mechanical damage, bed bug, and moisture as indicators of quality. It is possible to detect flaws in the soybean production process through control charts, as well as through germination and tetrazolium tests; results indicated that germination failures are largely caused by mechanical damage and bed bug attacks.

RESUMO O preço do algodão é determinado pela qualidade da fibra, que pode ser danificada no momento da colheita, além de perdas quantitativas de pluma não colhidas. Neste contexto, o estudo teve como objetivo analisar as perdas no solo e na planta e a qualidade da fibra de algodão em relação a cinco velocidades de colheita (5, 6, 7, 8 e 9 km h-1) no sistema de fusos. O experimento foi realizado em Lucas do Rio Verde, Mato Grosso, Brasil. Um delineamento de blocos completamente casualizados (DBC) foi usado em talhão de 0,9 ha, 20 parcelas, 5 velocidades e 4 repetições. Concluiu-se que as velocidades estudadas não influenciaram significativamente as perdas no solo e na planta e a qualidade da fibra de algodão, recomendando-se usar a velocidade mais alta.

ABSTRACT Cotton price is determined by the quality of the fiber, which can be damaged at the time of harvest, in addition to quantitative losses of non-harvested plume. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse soil and plant losses, and the quality of cotton fiber in relation to five harvest speeds (5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 km h-1) in the spindle system (picker). The experiment was conducted in Lucas do Rio Verde, Mato Grosso, Brazil. A randomized complete block design was used on plots of 0.9 ha, with 20 plot, five speeds, and four blocks. The results showed that the studied speeds did not significantly influence losses on the soil and plant, or the quality of the cotton fiber; therefore, the highest speed may be recommended.

ABSTRACT: Information on harvester performance is important in the management and optimization of mechanized agricultural systems. In this sense, the aim of this study was to monitor the operation quality of soybean mechanical harvesting in different plot shapes by means of statistical process control. The harvest was carried out in an agricultural area of a farm located in Uberaba, MG, Brazil, with an experimental design based on the assumptions of statistical quality control and 18, 28, and 24 replications for irregular, rectangular, and trapezoidal plots, respectively. The variables and/or quality indicators of harvester performance were forward speed, engine speed, cylinder speed, and concave opening. The lowest variation occurred in the irregular plot for the quality indicators forward speed and engine speed of harvester. Engine speed and the concave opening of harvester were unstable for all plot shapes. Only the cylinder speed of the soybean harvester presented process stability during operation for the three plot shapes.