Abstract

PAREDES, Virginia et al. Operational and logistics costs of nitrogen fertilization systems in sugarcane production in Tucumán, Argentina. Rev. ind. agric. Tucumán [online]. 2020, vol.97, n.1, pp.57-61. ISSN 1851-3018.

Fertilization is a cultural practice of maximum importance in management to achieve a high-yield sugarcane crop. Its high cost requires timely and effective use of fertilizer to achieve maximum efficiency. The objective of this work was to compare the operating costs of different fertilizer application alternatives, two types of nitrogen sources and to find the most effective combination in terms of economic and environmental sustainability. Productive, operative and economic parameters were determined for two fertilizer applicator machines, a 9-furrow pneumatic machine that applied the fertilizer on the surface, and a cultivator and fertilizer applicator with the capacity to apply two furrows simultaneously both on the surface and incorporating the fertilizer into the soil. The cost of fertilizing with the pneumatic machine varied between 12 USD/ha and 13 USD/ha, while for the fertilization-cultivator machine it was between 33 USD/ha and 59 USD/ha. In Tucumán, the optimal time to fertilize is about 40 days; with the pneumatic applicator more rows could be fertilized during this period (1,660ha). In addition, the pneumatic fertilizer machine requires an investment and application cost 3-5 times lower, a lower fuel consumption, shorter operating time and greater efficiency in the logistics of loading and distribution of the product than the fertilizer cultivator machine. The pneumatic fertilizer machine is an important alternative to fertilize sugarcane within the framework of sustainability, especially in large areas.

Keywords : Pneumatic fertilizer; fertilizer; sustainability; operating time; logistics.

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