The objective of this work was to study the spectral reflectance of a Brown Latosol (Haplohumox) and "Terra Bruna Estruturada" (Tropohumult) developed from volcanic acid rocks which occur in the center-south region of Paraná, Brazil. These soil samples were collected at depths of 0-20 and 40-60 cm. The characterization, discrimination and estimation of the soil attributes were studied by their reflected energy determined at the wavelength interval of 400 to 2.500 nm using an IRIS laboratory spectroradiometer. It was possible to separate both soils using their reflectance intensity and absorption features, although both soils had high iron, organic matter content and a clayey texture. Discriminant analyses were 100% effective in the separation of soils by their spectral reflectance. The results, which were analysed by linear multivariate equations, indicated that gibbsite, organic matter, CEC and the value and chroma soil color were the attributes presenting the highest correlation coefficients for their estimation by using spectral reflectance.
reflectance; soil chemistry and physics; soil mineralogy; Haplohumox and Tropohumult; remote sensing