The high investment in mechanized agroforestry operations involves the secure definition of which machine will be the most recommended for optimization of the operation associated to the lowest costs involved. The aim of this research was to study the operational and economical performance of the silvicultural operation of irrigation after planting of eucalyptus in the field. The technical analysis included a study on time and movements and the economic analysis, variables of operational cost, production cost and energy consumption. The results showed that for areas of eucalypt plantations in the first and third rotation, there is no difference in the effective field capacity for the operation of irrigation after planting. Due to result of expenditure on unproductive times, there was a significant reduction in the operational field capacity and hence an increase in production cost.
agricultural machines; silviculture; seedling survival
