The evaluation of the impact of use and management on soil compaction is critical in the development of sustainable agricultural systems. The objective of this study was to conduct with two samples of two clayey Oxisols, quantification of the saturated hydraulic conductivity, the macro and the micro porosity in response to compaction index, defined by the relationship between soil bulk density and maximum density determined by Proctor compaction test. The penetration resistance in response to compaction index between -60 and -15,000 hPa was also quantified, and calculated the least limiting water range. The experimental units were artificially compacted soil cores in laboratory, in order to achieve compaction indexes between 0.70 and 1.0. The results showed the importance of this index when comparing characteristics of soil in which the absolute values of bulk density exhibit marked divergence. The compaction index between 0.70 and 0.85 offers no restrictions to plant growth. Higher values indicate restrictions with respect to soil aeration, and when the values exceed 0.95, the penetration resistance impedes root growth.
compaction index; Proctor compaction test; bulk density; atric potential
