DOES MOISTURE IN PODS INTERFERE WITH MECHANIZED HARVESTING OF PEANUTS?

ABSTRACT Although peanut harvesting results in significant losses, it has rarely been investigated. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the interference of different pod moisture contents on peanut harvesting and their influence on the process quality based on losses and impurities. An experiment was performed in a peanut seed producing area, in Luzitânia, district of Jaboticabal - SP, using average moisture contents of 15% and 20% in the pods; 16 and 14 data points were collected for the 20% and 15% treatments, respectively. The experimental design used statistical process control (SPC) to analyze the collected variables. The results indicated higher losses in the platform than in the machine. In addition, the harvest quality was not affected by the pod moisture content. However, the correct adjustment of machines can restrict total losses to approximately 1% of the yield. Pods with moisture contents of 15% and 20% can be used for peanut harvesting. However, although a pod moisture content of 15% reduced the amount of mineral and vegetal impurities inside the bulk tank, the number of open pods increased, whereas a pod moisture content of 20% provided a greater number of whole pods.