INFLUÊNCIA DAS CARACTERÍSTICAS FÍSICAS DE FERTILIZANTES SÓLIDOS SOBRE A TAXA DE APLICAÇÃO EM DOSADOR HELICOIDAL

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the influence of the physical characteristics of three types of fertilizers on the application rate. A test bench with fertilizer feeders was used, coupled with a helical feeder. Its activation was performed by an electric motor, for changing and controlling the speed the bench had a frequency inverter. Fertilizers were classified as granular mixture, granule mixture and bran mixture, for which some physical properties were determined. The application rate, g min^-1, was performed by measuring the mass of fertilizers collected in an interval of 30 seconds. The experiment was arranged in the DIC, in a two-factor arrangement (type of fertilizer and rotation of activation), with 5 repetitions. There was statistical differentiation between the three types of fertilizers, showing that the higher the density of the fertilizer, the greater the mass flow for the same regulation, while 55.05 % of the bran fertilizer for the granular. The average application rate is directly proportional to the drive speed and can be determined using a linear regression equation. The mass flow should be checked and regulated when there is any change in the physical characteristics of the fertilizers used.