In the State of Paraiba, the loss of seeds and grains of corn (Zea mays L.) caused, mainly by harvesting, mechanical thrashing and subsequent processes is about 20% resulting in economic loss to the state. In this context, the effect of mechanical damages during the thrashing and passage of corn seeds varieties -Cruzeta- and -Sertanejo- were studied, in the different stages of processing. To evaluate the damages caused to the seeds, a stationary thrasher was used working at 520, 600 and 700 rpm, obtained by the acceleration variation of the tractor to which the thrasher was attached. The damages were visually appraised and analysed in a completely randomized statistical design with the treatments distributed in a factorial scheme. -Cruzeta- variety was more resistant to the impacts caused by the thrashing and processing; the impacts on the seed quality became more evident with the elevation of speed of the thrashing cylinder; the 600 rpm rotation proved to be better for the thashing of Cruzeta and Sertanejo corn.
thrashing; mechanicals damages; Zea mays
