Mechanical harvesting damage on pea seed

Abstract

The effect of different cylinder speed of a Massey Ferguson combine model 220, for pea (Pisum sativum L.) harvesting was studied. Mechanical damage and seed viability were evaluated for the different adjustments. Samples were collected in two experiment fields, with nine replications in each field. For each sample, the following measurements were taken: moisture content, purity, viability and percentage of seed germination. The results showed that by using the threshing beater cylinder at 1,160 rpm, a better seed quality was obtained. Manual harvest resulted in significantly higher percentage of seed germination and viability, when compared with mechanical harvesting.