INSTALLATION OF THE GERMINATION TEST ON CORN (Zea mays) SEEDS: COMPARISON OF VACUUM AND MANUAL SYSTEMS

In the corn crop, some challenges interfere with achieving high productivity. Technologies and research contribute to efficient solutions, including seed technology, a fundamental element for good product development. The adoption and diffusion of technologies and agricultural practices significantly affect productivity gains. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of germination test installation in corn using the vacuum system and the manual system. The experiment was conducted in a Quality Control Laboratory in Uberlândia – MG, Brazil. It consisted of two stages. First, a vacuum system was built for this purpose to install the test. A manual system was used in the second installation, using acrylic seed counters. The hypothesis was that the vacuum system is more efficient in test installation capacity since equipment makes the procedure faster. However, flaws in the vacuum instrument were found, requiring adjustments or technological improvements. The results showed that the vacuum system reduced the capacity to install the germination test for corn seeds by 60% compared to the current manual installation system. The system was disapproved, requiring adjustments to reduce the test installation time, ensuring greater efficiency and speed. With this, suggestions for adaptations and improvements to the system will be forwarded.