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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research
Effect of field preparation and harvesting technical information on minimizing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) combine harvesting losses: New Halfa Scheme Case Study
Sheikh El Din Abdel Gadir El-Awad
Abstract:
This study was conducted in 1992/93 and 1993/94 seasons in New Halfa scheme
where farmers do not flatten the cross bunds (Gaduals and Tagnents) before
wheat combine harvesting. The objectives were to compare the performance of
combine harvester types in use throughout the harvesting period, to evaluate
the effects of the presence of cross bunds on wheat harvesting loss, to
identify the main source of combine harvesting loss and to assess the effect
of availability of wheat harvesting technical information on wheat
harvesting loss minimization. The average wheat loss of the two common types
of combine harvesters (Claas and John Deere) was found to be 31 and 24% in
the first and second season, respectively. The reduction in wheat harvesting
loss, which was about 7% in the second season, was due to the effectiveness
of technical information for minimizing harvesting losses conveyed to the
seasonal combine operators and farmers before and during the wheat
harvesting period. Under New Halfa scheme field conditions, the use of John
Deere combine harvester resulted in a yield loss of about 3% less than that
incurred by the Claas Dominator 68s for the two seasons. The combine
harvester header was found to be the main source of the wheat harvesting
loss, which increased with delay in harvesting time. The presence of cross
bunds in the wheat fields during combine harvesting operation increased
wheat harvesting loss by 100% compared to that where water cross bunds
flattened. Therefore, it could be recommended that cross bunds in wheat
fields should be flattened before combine harvesting, and that the technical
information about harvesting should be supplied through extension programs
to the seasonal combine operators and farmers both before and during the
harvesting operation in order to minimize wheat harvesting losses.
Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 11 (2008) PP. 91-97
