Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• S. Mobasser ¹
• H. Niamanesh ²

¹ Faculty Members, Seed & Plant Certification & Registration Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran.

² Faculty Member, Seed & Plant Certification & Registration Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran.

Abstract

There are different methods for harvesting of maize seed production fields. In order to detect the most effective methods of maize seed harvesting method, in addition to seed quality analysis, partial budgeting technique was studied and the results were analyzed using preferred investment method. According to the results, maize seed harvesting by picker-husker auto-harvester, PTO connected picker and harvesting by hand are most profitable methods, respectively. Since in the studied region (Moghan) well trained workers are available and investing for purchasing picker-husker auto-harvester is costly for great part of maize seed producers, so currently harvesting by workers, is most economic and profitable harvest method. In technical part of the survey which harvesting by hand and air drying the cobs was compared with conventional harvesting seed maize in Iran (direct harvest by combine harvester), all of physical and physiological quality characters, storability and percentage of above 6 mm seeds in harvesting by hand and air drying the cobs was significantly higher than conventional method.

Keywords

• Hybrid maize
• Seed quality
• harvesting methods
• Technical and Economic analysis