The term "cohesive" has been used in Brazil to distinguish sub-surface soil horizons that have hard, very hard or extremely hard consistency when the soil is dry, and friable when the soil is wet. Australian soils with similar behavior were identified as hardsetting. Researchers have indicated that many soils in Africa and other semi-arid regions can also be characterized as hardsetting. Based on the definition and characteristics of the hardsetting soils, it is believed that "cohesive" soils of the Low Coastal Tablelands, the northeastern region of Brazil have similar behavior. The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that "cohesive" soils have morphological and physical properties similar to the hardsetting soils. The study was carried out in a "cohesive" Yellow Latosol, located in Cruz das Almas (BA), under a secondary forest. During a soil-drying period, morphological analysis of the soil profile and measurements of the soil resistance to penetration were made in normal and cohesive horizons. The results indicated that both morphological and physical parameters of the cohesive soil were similar to those used to identify hardsetting soils.
“cohesive” soils; hardsetting soils; morphological attributes; soil resistance to penetration