The objective of this work was to evaluate the economical viability of the investment in corn gatherer platforms in reduced spacing for the productivity percentile increases of the seed and corn price. For such purpose, a differential cash flow was accomplished and from this same cash it was determined the Return Internal Tax (RIT) and investment Benefit/Cost Rate (B/C) for the productivity increasing combinations in different technological levels. It was accomplished a sensibility analysis for variations in the product paid price and in the expenses with seeds for the Liquid Present Value (LPV) indicator. Areas from 100 to 300 ha were considered and productivities of 70; 100; 130 and 160 sc ha-1. It was concluded that the productivity increments affect RIT and B/C rate. Whenever these increments are superior to 7.5%, the investment is economically viable in most of the analyzed situations. Price variations of seeds have low effect on the investment; corn price oscillations are tolerated in most of the tested situations.
agricultural engineering; sensibility analysis; Zea mays
