Effect of harvesting management on grain yield of rapeseed

Abstract

In a three-year period (1984 to 1986), at the National Wheat Research Center, in Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil, the effects of five harvesting methods (manual harvesting, manual windrowing, windrower or swather, plot harvester, and combine), and harvesting time on grain yield of rapeseed and on 1,000 kernel weight were assessed. Rapeseed cultivar CTC 4 conventionally seeded was used throughout this study. In 1984 there were no differences among harvesting systems for grain yield. Lower grain losses were observed with manual harvesting and windrowing systems when the rapeseed was harvested at the beginning of ripening (30-35% of grain moisture). In 1986, harvesting manually, with a plot harvester, and with a combine, presented lower grain losses when the seed had 12 and 17% of moisture. Harvesting using a windrower, did not work well mainly due to lack of mechanisms for adjusting the pick up. This indicates that this equipment needs to be improved. Nevertheless, a windrower may be used to windrow rapeseed and other crops that require uniformization of ripening