Desenvolvimento e avaliação de uma semeadora adubadora à tração animal

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present an alternative planting device for small-scale farmers. A prototype of an animal-traction planter, which was evaluated by small-scale family farmers, was developed. Evaluation results were considered in developing a second prototype, evaluated in a trial carried out in the experimental area of the “Escola de Agronomia e Enge-nharia de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Goiás” (Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil). The developed prototype has performed satisfactorily as an animal-traction planter, offering good results to small- and medium-scale farmers in the sowing operation. The planter needs, in average, 697.4 N of force to be tractioned, with an operational efficiency of 1.0 ha/h. It puts the seeds at a mean depth of 34 mm, leaving approximately 1.4 uncovered seeds by meter.