Technical and Economic Efficiency of Using Multifunctional Containers in Primary Seed Production of Grain Crops

Abstract

Introduction. A very common technology of pedigree seed production is associated with manual in-process transshipment of many sacks that over time results in damaged sacks and in worsening of grain storage conditions. In this regard, there is a need to design a multifunctional rigid container, which will provide cost-effective storage of seed grain through the airtightness and control of the indoor environment. Aim of the Study. The study is aimed at designing a multifunctional container for primary seed production of grain crops with justification according to the criteria of technical and economic efficiency in comparison with pallet spaces and sacks. Materials and Methods. The state standard for economic evaluation of agricultural machinery was applied to assess the impact of reducing in-process transshipment of many sacks and seed losses in primary seed production of grain crops. Wheat seeds were used as the seed-producing crop under study. As service equipment there were used Wintersteiger Delta plot combine with a cutterbar working width of 2 m, seed bagging system or grain hopper 1.5 m3, Belarus 622 tractor with 1PTS-2 semi-trailer, TOR CD1 10916 electric telpher, and convective grain drying units on the basis of SL-0.3x 2 tray dryer for grain. Results. The authors of the article have estimated the technical and economic efficiency of using sacks and multifunctional containers in technological operations of harvesting, transporting and drying grain. With the annual notional volume of work in 400.7 tons, the saving of total money costs for a plot seed combine-harvester averages 117.9 thousand rubles. The reduction in the cost of work performance is 32.8%, payback period is 2 years; the decrease in the need for service personnel and harvesters is not revealed. At the same time, the reduction in the need for energy sources is 32.3%. Discussion and Conclusion. It has been determined that during technological operations of harvesting, transporting and drying, the best seed production performance is when using the multifunctional container with the following indicators of specific cargo turnover, p: Ui = 800 t/km2; Lг = 0.15 km; b = 0.01 km; Lп‒т = 0.5 km, initial humidity of seeds is 21%. In the process of using this container, the production cost, need for service personnel, energy sources and machinery are reduced.