VALUTAZIONE DELLA QUALITÀ DI DISTRIBUZIONE DI DIFFERENTI MISCELE DI FERTILIZZANTI SOLIDI

In order to assess the behaviour of four several blended fertilizers during their distribution a set of trials were performed. Two distribution doses (250 and 500 kg ha-1) and three hopper filling levels (90%, 50% and 10%) have been compared. The influence of some physical parameters (bulk density and granular distribution) on distribution quality and granular segregation has been analysed by defining two indicators (equality pattern index and segregation coefficient). Results show that fertilizers physical properties have a remarkable influence on segregation and quality distribution. It will be in future necessary to define reference parameters, such as the ones identified in the present study and quality standards for blended fertilizers in order to allow the user to better choice the fertilizer and adjust his spreader.