Energy demand analysis of mechanized transplanting system of tomato

Abstract

Tomato culture has great importance among vegetable crops, and Brazil is the 5th largest producer worldwide. Faced with an increasing mechanization in this culture, this study aimed at evaluating the energy demand in fertilization and transplanting operations to the implementation of tomato crop. The study was conducted at Santa Rosa farm, in the municipality of Morrinhos - GO. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications, combined three displacement speeds and three engine speeds in each operation.  The traction force, the power in draw bar, and time, specific and operational fuel consumptions were evaluated. The results showed that traction force and power had greater influence with increasing displacement speed. The traction force and power in fertilization operation were influenced by the depth of shanks. The power demand of mechanized sets has been changed by displacement speed, where used tractors proved to be oversized. There was a lower operational fuel consumption in the two fertilization and transplanting operations due to tractor over sizing.