Diseño y prototipo de un innovador sistema de plantación mecanizado de estacas verticales de mandioca en Argentina

A prototype of a three-furrow cassava planter driven by a low-power tractor, was designed and is currently under construction at the Faculty of Engineering of the National University of the Northeast (UNNE). It features a vertical stake planting system and has the particularity of presenting 6 hoppers, 3 in operation and 3 for refueling, both of which are novel patented features. These allow the planter to have an approximate operating capacity of one hectare per hour. Another characteristic of this planter design is that it requires only one operator to perform the planting task. Planting stakes vertically has the advantage of facilitating observation and early replacement of those that have not sprouted, enabling the plants to grow more uniformly, which positively affects yields and profitability. Furthermore, since the buds of the vertically planted stakes sprout faster, the plants cover the soil surface earlier than those planted horizontally, achieving early weed control and reducing future herbicide applications with less environmental impact and the consequent economic advantage since it reduces 34% the cost of operation in the plantation.