Economic viability of harvesting methods and use of sealants in canola

ABSTRACT: Canola has become the third most important oilseed worldwide, with approximately 15% of global edible oil production. In Brazil, canola is increasing in crop space in the country’s southern region, and harvesting is a bottleneck in this activity, raising questions about its economic viability and the need for studies investigating this aspect. This research analyzed the economic viability of different harvesting methods, considering the presence or absence of sealing polymer. Four experiments were conducted using a randomized block experimental design, with treatments arranged in a split-plot arrangement. The main plot consisted of the presence or absence of the polymer, whose function is to prevent the opening of the siliques during the crop maturation process and reduce losses due to seed shattering. The subplots comprised different harvesting methods: burndown with diquat or glufosinate followed by harvesting, cutting-windrowing, and direct harvesting. The results showed that direct harvesting is cheaper as it does not use burndown herbicides and adjuvants. Also, direct harvesting without spraying the polymer, in addition to not having the cost of the product, does not have the cost of application and depreciation of the sprayers. The profitability of harvesting methods varied depending on location. The harvesting method, which consisted of burndown followed by harvesting, presented the highest costs due to the spraying operation and the costs of herbicide, adjuvant, and polymer. The use of the polymer was profitable mainly in scenarios where the application was carried out in the advanced stages of canola maturation.