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ABSTRACT The use of Precision Agriculture tools and soil attributes has contributed to local agricultural management in the identification of different productive potentials and quality of pastures. The present study aimed to use Precision Agriculture tools to investigate the spatial variability of soil organic matter fractions and soil chemical and physical attributes and to delineate management zones in pasture soils cultivated under tropical conditions. The study was conducted on a hay production farm located in Seropédica, Brazil. Fifty points were collected on a irregular grid and soil samples were taken at depths of 0-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m and crop productivity was evaluated. Chemical and physical soil organic matter fractionation was performed to obtain data on fulvic acid, humic and humin fractions, mineral-associated and particulate organic carbon, and light organic matter. Geostatistics and multivariate analysis (principal component analysis and k-means clustering) were performed to define the management zones. The results obtained contributed to the division of the pasture area into two regions that can be managed in different ways aiming to increase soil organic matter in a localized manner with the possibility of reducing the use of inputs and directed management that respects the productive potential of the pasture on the farm.

ABSTRACT In recent years, the coffee has undergone major changes, and in case of transplanting operation, the use of machinery has proved to be a viable alternative to producers. Prior knowledge of the influence of the variables that influence the operational capability of these machines can generate models to estimate precisely these parameters, thus enabling the optimization and management of mechanized operations. One of this tool is the use of the response surface methodology, which allows checking the influence of different independent variables and the response generated to allow a great value. This study aims to verify the use of the response surface method to determine parameters of mechanized operations in coffee plant implantation. The results show that the number of seedlings deposited increases with the increase in operating speed. In contrast, the adoption of higher speeds decreases the efficiency of the evaluated field operations. The response surface methodology was an important tool to check the effect of variables on performance parameters, and the generated models showed high significance allowing the identification of the effects of the operational speed and the average length of the cultivation line.

When using appropriate inflation pressures and load capacity (ballast), it may obtain a higher yield and prolongation of the life of the tire, besides it may minimize the problems of loss of traction, increased slippage and fuel consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the fuel consumption of a tractor operating with new and worn tires in three conditions of ballasting and three inflation pressures, when driving on compacted soil with vegetation cover. The experiment was conducted at the experimental unit from the Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Lavras, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in an agricultural soil compacted by cattle trampling and with vegetation cover. It was used a tractor 4x2 with front wheel assist, of a 65.62 kW engine power. The tires were of R1 type, diagonal (front: 12.4 to 24; and rear: 18.4 to 30), the average height of the clutches of the new tires were 0.3 and 0.35 m for front and rear tires, respectively, and for the worn tires were 0.018 and 0.0045 m, for the front and the rear tires, respectively. The results showed advantages for the tractor equipped with new tires.Ao se utilizar pressão de inflação e a capacidade de carga (lastro) adequadas, pode-se obter um rendimento maior e um prolongamento da vida útil do pneu; além disso, minimizam-se os problemas de perda de tração, aumento de patinhagem e consumo de combustível. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o consumo de combustível de um trator agrícola operando com pneus novos e desgastados, em três condições de lastragem e três pressões de inflação, ao trafegar sobre solo compactado com cobertura vegetal. O experimento foi realizado na unidade experimental do Departamento de Zootecnia da Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras-MG, em um solo compactado pelo pisoteio de bovinos e com cobertura vegetal. Utilizou-se um trator 4x2 TDA, com potência de 65,62 kW no motor. Os pneus foram do tipo R1, diagonal (dianteiros: 12,4-24; traseiros: 18,4-30), sendo que a altura média das garras dos pneus novos foi de 0,3 e 0, 35 m para os pneus dianteiros e traseiros, respectivamente, e nos pneus desgastados, 0,018 e 0,0045 m para os pneus dianteiros e traseiros, simultaneamente. Os resultados evidenciaram vantagens para o trator quando equipado com pneus novos.