Evaluation of Visible Losses and Damage to the Ratoon Cane in the Mechanized Harvesting of Sugarcane for Different Displacement Speeds

Abstract

This study aimed at quantitatively evaluating the sugarcane losses and the damage caused to the ratoon cane while using the Case IH A8800 harvester in different displacement speeds; it was conducted in the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Three speeds were used as treatment (2 km•h −1 , 3 km•h −1 , and 4.5 km•h −1 ), and each treatment was composed of six rows of harvested ratoon, each with a length of 290 m. In order to evaluate the quantitative losses in t•ha −1 and the percentage of losses, the remaining sugarcane, left on the field after harvesting, was collected. The sampling frame was set to every 50 m, dividing the borders by 40 m; the measurement for each sampling area was of 20 m 2 , with five repetitions. In order to evaluate the damage caused to the ratoon canes, we chose a visual methodology to classify the damage degrees, ranging from one to four. There was no significant difference in losses when comparing different speeds. Therefore, it is more advantageous and economically viable to use the speed of 4.5 km•h −1 , which collects more in less time.

Investigating Visible Cane Loss and Stump Damage Due to Sugarcane Chopper Harvester Usage in Thailand

“…A major source of signifcant losses when using either large-or medium-sized sugarcane harvesters was the presence of remaining stumps caused by the base cutter, which was unable to cut close to the soil surface. Te average total cane losses caused by the large-and medium-sized harvesters in the current study (4.0% and 3.4% of total yield, respectively) were lower than sugarcane harvesters in Brazil (8.1% of total yield) [21]. However, the average losses due to large harvesters in the current study were consistent with a previous study from Tailand, which reported yield losses of 3.27% [14].…”

“…Tese fndings indicate that sugarcane stump damage caused by sugarcane harvesters in Tailand was higher than that observed in Brazil [21]. Using sugarcane harvesters at diferent speeds, minimal direct ratoon damage was observed with the large harvester, with peripheral damage being the most common occurrence [7,24].…”

Sugarcane Row Gaps Assessment over Successive Burned and Unburned Annual Harvests

“…In addition, it is important to consider mechanical damage caused by inadequate cutting due to machine operations, as they are responsible for promoting the entry of insects and fungi into the plant and affecting the ratoon to resprout [35]. The wear of the cutting blades can reduce the cutting quality of the stumps and the productivity of the stalks [5].…”