CHARACTERIZATION OF LOSSES AND CROP RESIDUE COVER DISTRIBUTION IN SOYBEAN MECHANIZED HARVEST

The concept of operation control inserted in agriculture is made possible by making a directly influence in the main objectives of productive process, economic return and increase of productivity. The mechanized harvest normally is carried out without an effective control of the variability of losses so that it maintains acceptable standards. This research aimed to determinate and characterize the losses and crop residue cover distribution after soybean mechanized harvest, using the tool of statistical process control (control charts). The average of total grain losses was near the upper limit specified for losses in soybean, showing high variation between points, and putting the process out of control. The residue crop cover distribution stayed under control process, with greater variability where the terrain was more sloping. The use of control charts was efficient to identify the points out of control and to evaluate the harvest quality.