Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Neda Mansouri ¹
• hassan zaki dizaji ²
• Mohammad Javad Sheikhdavoodi ³
• Abbas Asakereh ²

¹ M. Sc. student, Biosystems engineering Dept., Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University

² Assistant professor, Biosystems engineering Dept., Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz

³ Professor, Biosystems engineering Dept., Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University

Abstract

Sugarcane, a perennial plant, has been cultivated in Khuzestan province, Iran, for a long time. Sugarcane seeds and stems (whole stalk or billet), both, are used for propagation, but stems planting is primary method of cultivation for sugar production purposes. Costs of sugarcane planting in Khuzestan differ when different planting methods are practiced. This study was conducted to find out proper planting methods  for Khuzestan’s conditions. To achieve the aims, various parameters were checked, then influencing variables were determined; experiments were carried out  in Hakim  agro-industrial farms, in 2016 . The following topics were considered: costs indices, billet burial quality, factors affecting field capacity, numbers of tractor coming and going on the farms, and finally ergonomic issues. Indicators were summarized as much as possible by merging into each other or turning. Factors weighting were done, using expert discretions and AHP to indicate the importance of each indicator. Integration of relative weights by multiplying the relative weight of each indicator on the above parameters was carried out and also consistency index was calculated by ratio of incompatibility and random index. In next step, by selecting factors and AHP, three planting methods were compered using Expert Choice software: conventional manual method, semi-mechanized planting method (by cutter planter), and mechanized planting method (by automatic billet planter). Results showed that semi-mechanized planting method was optimal method due to  minimum costs and maximum quality achieved in billet burial practice. Manual planting, in spite of achieving optimal way of planting compared with mechanized planting, received low advantages because of increasing in planting expenses.

Keywords

• Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)
• Planting
• Sugarcane