Desempenho operacional de uma colhedora de algodão e a variabilidade espacial da qualidade da fibra antes e após a colheita

Abstract

Cotton is the most important natural source of fiber in the world, with the largest volume of world production, besides being the largest source of raw materials of the textile industry, still provides as the grains by-products that are rich in oils and residues are protein-rich employees mostly in animal feed. Cotton production in Brazilhas expanded in the State of Mato Grosso, where growers have found large tracts of land and favorable conditions for the development of culture, resulting in the rapid growth of the area produced. The State of Mato Grosso is responsible for the whole fibre produced in Brazil 68% of this fibre is produced in Mato Grosso, giving it a leading position worldwide. The characterization of the quality of the fibre produced in commercial plot is important to determine the qualitative variations within a single site enabling the farmer to search for areas that allow the less variability of fiber quality, enabling the adoption of actions that raise the homogeneity of the plot producing higher quality fibersthat offer better remuneration to the producer at the time of sale. The best quality of fiber is set at the moment the ball opens at the end of the cropcycle, the actions taken post harvest should be made properly to prepare these fibers for industrialization, while must preserve the original characteristics of the fiber.While the fiber remains in the field she becomes sensitive to environmental factors that are detrimental to their quality characteristics. To be avoided these potential damage the harvest should be done in short period of time, making it important to the determination of a suitable machines depending on the amount of area to be harvested, in typical conditions of cultivation in Mato Grosso, obtained 60% collection efficiency and operational efficiency of approximately 67.2%. After harvesting andprocessing, spatial variability of fiber quality is completely mischaracterized, mostly by homogenization arising out of the operation mode of the harvester and the waythe processing occurs. When the equipment used in processing are appropriately regulated cannot detect significant changes of qualitative characteristics of the fibers.