Strength attributes and compaction susceptibility of Brazilian Latosols

In this study, strength attributes and compaction susceptibility of the main classes of Brazilian Latosols (Oxisols), under native vegetation, were studied using the load bearing capacity models relating precompression stress, compression index and water potential through statistical regression models. These models were developed based on the results of the analysis of undisturbed soil samples collected at the B horizon at the different sites. The results showed that the maximum value of the compression index was 0.53 for the Acric Red Latosol, indicating its higher susceptibility to soil compaction. The Dystrocohesive Yellow Latosol had the highest load bearing capacity, while the Acric Red Latosol had the lowest one. The Dystrocohesive Yellow Latosol due to its high load bearing capacity and bulk density (mechanical resistance) behave similarly to hardsetting soil, in which the plants root system has severe physical restrictions to explore deeper horizons during the dry periods. Differences in the load bearing capacity and compaction susceptibility were found to be influenced by soil structure which is associated with clay mineralogy in these very weathered-leached soils and water potential. The study also showed that soil compression index is influenced by water potential and clay mineralogy also. Our work has laid a foundation for estimation of compaction susceptibility of Latosols. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.