Optimization of mechanized harvesting of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.)

Intensive production of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is the kind of production in which all technological processes of growing and processing chamomile can be carried out by mechanized agricultural resources in an optimal way and with a rational energy consumption. Topic of research in this doctoral dissertation is mechanized process of harvesting chamomile. Many domestic and international manufacturers of agricultural machinery have responded to the request for mechanized harvesting procedure chamomile and produced a number of constructions and types of machines, which differ in both the technical, structural characteristics, and quality of work and its effects. Such a phenomenon has directed this research towards a comprehensive study of the chosen topics, with the objective to recommend adequate machine that will best suit the work conditions on the chamomile fields. Harvesting chamomile blossom is technically and technologically the most demanding process in the chamomile production technology and has a great influence on both the quality of drugs received, and the income generated in production. In this dissertation, three structurally and conceptually distinct types of chamomile harvester were tested. We assessed the technical, biological, meteorological, and operating parameters that affect evaluating the efficiency of the examined harvesters. Working mode, quality and losses realized during the harvesting, as well as energetic and economic feasibility of using certain harvesters, should be emphasized as the basic parameters. Three optimization methods were used for optimizing the most influential parameters of combine work, in order to determine the optimal combine and the working under the specific ecological conditions, according to the specified evaluation criteria. Technological productivity (efficiency) of chamomile harvester depends only on the working width and speed of the combine. The highest average efficiency of 0.65 ha / h was achieved by harvester A, then harvester B with average 0.57 ha / h and finally harvester C with average 0.56 ha / h. The lowest fuel consumption per unit area achieved harvesters working in V3 mode, where the harvester B was the most economical and consumed 23.86 l / ha, followed by the harvester C with 33.51 l / ha and the harvester A with 45.78 l / ha. It can be concluded that the “higher” mode (with higher travel speed and speed of turning - rpm) brings greater total losses. Harvester A realized the hig