Abstract The use of statistical process control tools in irrigation is becoming widespread as it allows for quick and effective investigation and detection of possible problems with drippers, especially when fertilizer is used in irrigation water and different slopes. Therefore, the research used statistical quality control charts to monitor urea concentration at different inclinations of the lateral line. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment at the Irrigation and Fertigation Laboratory - LIF) in the city of Cascavel, Paraná State, Brazil. It followed a randomized block design, in a 4x3 factorial arrangement, in which fertilizer concentrations were evaluated at three slope angles. Experimental plots were divided into two factors. The first is the type of water (clean water from an artesian well and water with a nitrogen fertilizer at 44% N) subdivided into four subplots, representing concentrations of urea (0, 2, 4, and 6 g L-1). The second factor was slope angle and represented the sub-plots: uphill (2%), level (0%), and downhill (2%). The results show that Shewhart's statistical control charts were sensitive in observing the change in uniformity due to the increase in fertilizer concentration. Water with fertilizer (4 gL-1) affected uniformity at all studied slope levels. The results also show that high concentrations of fertilizers change the pH of the water. The lowest urea concentrations showed the best distribution uniformity results.

Resumo A utilização de ferramentas de controle estatístico de processo na irrigação vem se difundindo por propiciar a investigação e detecção rápida e eficaz dos possíveis problemas ocasionados aos gotejadores, em especial, quando se utiliza fertilizante na água de irrigação e diferentes inclinações. Desse modo, a pesquisa teve como objetivo utilizar cartas de controle estatístico de qualidade no acompanhamento da concentração de ureia em diferentes inclinações da linha lateral. O experimento foi desenvolvido em ambiente protegido no Laboratório de Irrigação e Fertirrigação (LIF), Cascavel-, PR. O delineamento experimental ocorreu em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 4x3, no qual foi avaliada a concentração de fertilizante em três níveis de declividade: com parcelas divididas em dois fatores, sendo o principal fator o tipo de água, representado por quatro parcelas: água limpa (proveniente de poço artesiano) e água com fertilizante nitrogenado, ureia (44% N) em três concentrações (2 g L-1; 4 g L-1; 6 g L-1); e como segundo fator, os níveis de declividade, representado pela sub parcela: aclive (2%), nível (0%) e declive (2%). Os resultados mostram que as cartas de controle estatístico de Shewhart foram sensíveis na observação da modificação da uniformidade pelo acréscimo da concentração de fertilizante. A água com fertilizante (4 gL-1) afetou a uniformidade em todos os níveis de declividade estudado. Os resultados também mostram que altas concentrações de fertilizantes alteram o pH da água. As menores concentrações de ureia apresentaram os melhores resultados de uniformidade de distribuição.

Resumo Nesse estudo, um sistema de irrigação por gotejamento com diferentes cargas hidráulicas foi monitorado por gráficos de controle. Este experimento foi conduzido no Núcleo Experimental de Engenharia Agrícola da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, localizado no município de Cascavel, Paraná. Neste estudo, o sistema de irrigação por gotejamento foi conduzido por gravidade, com 4 cargas hidráulicas (10, 11, 12 e 15 kPa); 25 ensaios foram realizados para cada carga hidráulica. Além disso, sua uniformidade foi determinada pelo coeficiente de uniformidade de distribuição. O monitoramento da sua uniformidade foi realizado pelos gráficos de controle de Shewhart e da Média Móvel Exponencialmente Ponderada (MMEP). O aumento da carga hidráulica aumentou a uniformidade de distribuição. O uso das cargas hidráulicas de 12 e 15 kPa obtiveram uma boa uniformidade, enquanto que as cargas hidráulicas de 10 e 11 kPa produziram uma uniformidade regular. A utilização dos gráficos de controle mostrou ser eficiente, o gráfico de controle de Shewhart demonstrou ser mais robusto, enquanto que o gráfico de controle MMEP, indicou tendências e desvios não apresentados pelo gráfico de controle de Shewhart, sendo mais sensível.

Abstract This study monitored a drip irrigation system with different hydraulic heads, using control charts. The study included 25 tests, and was conducted at the Experimental Nucleus of Agricultural Engineering of the State University of Western Paraná, located in the municipality of Cascavel, Paraná. The drip irrigation system was operated by gravity, and had four hydraulic heads (10, 11, 12 and 15 kPa). The uniformity of the system was determined based on uniformity distribution. Uniformity monitoring was performed using Shewhart and exponentially weighted moving-average (EWMA) control charts. An increase in the hydraulic head increased uniformity. The use of 12 and 15 kPa hydraulic heads yielded good performance, whereas 10 and 11 kPa yielded regular performance. The use of control charts proved to be efficient; the Shewhart control chart was more robust, whereas the EWMA control chart, which indicated trends and deviations not shown by Shewhart control charts, was more sensitive.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to identify homogeneous rainfall zones in the winter and summer 1st and 2nd crops, in the state of Paraná, Brazil. The zones were defined by clustering using the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm to transform seasonal rainfall series. Monthly average rainfall data collected from 157 weather stations for 20 years (1996 to 2015) were employed. The results show that the number of homogeneous zones varied among growing seasons. The summer crop presented two clusters, with rainfall averages of 1489 and 1925 mm; the second crop presented four clusters, with averages of 1849, 1004, 1454, and 1182 mm; and the winter crop had three clusters, with averages of 969, 1498, and 1171 mm. Clustering was a useful instrument to identify geographical regions with similar rainfall regimes during different growing seasons in the state of Paraná. Rainfall distribution was more homogeneous in the summer crop. In all crops analyzed, the clusters with the lowest rainfall rate were present in the northwestern, northern center, and northern pioneer of the state of Paraná, whereas the clusters with the highest rainfall rate were found in the coastal regions.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological and biochemical changes related to desiccation tolerance loss in millet seeds. The studied points of the germination process were determined according to the seed imbibition curve of the millet hybrid ADRF6010: control (0h), 3h of imbibition, 1 and 3 mm radicle. The seeds were dried on silica gel for 72h at 20°C, followed by pre-humidification at 25°C for 24h. Seed physiological quality was evaluated by electrical conductivity and a germination test, and seed vigor was evaluated with a first germination count and a germination speed index. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design, and means were compared by the Scott-Knott test at a 5% probability. The enzymatic systems of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and α-amylase, as well as the expression of heat-resistant proteins were evaluated. Enzymatic activity was quantified with the ImageJ® software. Millet seeds lost desiccation tolerance when the radicle reached 1 mm in length. According to enzymatic standards, peroxidase and α-amylase activity, as well as heat-resistant protein activity, were related to desiccation tolerance loss in millet seeds.

ABSTRACT Analyzing the physical-chemical and biological characteristics allows the evaluation of the water quality of a water body. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the water quality index of the Passaúna and Piraquara rivers, as well as to apply statistical quality control methodologies to evaluate the data resulting from the monitoring of water quality. Therefore, a database with physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of the Passaúna and Piraquara rivers, a watershed of the Iguaçu River, belonging to the cities of Araucária and Piraquara, respectively Paraná, Brazil, was used to carry out the research. The water quality index was determined with the time series and, subsequently, these data were submitted to the statistical control of the process, with the control charts of individual Shewhart, EWMA and CUSUM, in addition to the development of the process capacity index. The WQI detected that the rivers remained in average quality until the year 2000, however, from that year it was possible to see a decreasing trend in the water quality of the evaluated rivers. The control charts of Shewhart, EWMA, CUSUM and the process capability index were able to identify the decreasing trend in water quality, demonstrating that they are fast and efficient techniques for the evaluation of water quality control.

RESUMO A Estimativa da evapotranspiração é um fator chave para alcançar uma gestão sustentável da água na agricultura irrigada, pois representa o uso consuntivo da água dos cultivos agrícolas. Estimativas baseadas em imagens de satélite oferecem vantagens em comparação aos métodos diretos como lisímetros, especialmente quando o objetivo é calcular a evapotranspiração em escala regional. O presente estudo teve como objetivo estimar a evapotranspiração real (ETr) em escala regional, utilizando imagens Landsat 8 - OLI/TIRS e dados complementares coletados de estação meteorológica. O modelo SEBAL foi aplicado no Sudoeste do Paraná, região composta por áreas agrícolas irrigadas e sequeiro, vegetação nativa e áreas urbanas. Cinco imagens Landsat 8, órbita/ponto 223/78, dia do ano 336/2013, 19/2014, 35/2014, 131/2014 e 195/2014, foram utilizadas a partir da qual a ETr em escala diária foi estimada como parte residual do balanço de energia de superfície para produzir mapas de ETr. Os procedimentos para obter ETr usando SEBAL incluem calibração radiométrica, cálculo da refletância, albedo da superfície, índices de vegetação (NDVI, SAVI e IAF) e emissividade. Estes parâmetros foram obtidos com base nas bandas reflectivas do sensor orbital com a superfície temperatura estimada utilizando a banda térmica. Os valores de ETr estimados em áreas agrícolas, vegetação nativa e áreas urbanas utilizando o algoritmo SEBAL foram compatíveis com os apresentados na literatura e o erro entre evapotranspiração estimada com o SEBAL e a equação de Penman Monteith FAO 56 foram inferiores ou iguais a 1,00 mm dia- 1.

ABSTRACT Estimation of evapotranspiration is a key factor to achieve sustainable water management in irrigated agriculture because it represents water use of crops. Satellite-based estimations provide advantages compared to direct methods as lysimeters especially when the objective is to calculate evapotranspiration at a regional scale. The present study aimed to estimate the actual evapotranspiration (ET) at a regional scale, using Landsat 8 - OLI/TIRS images and complementary data collected from a weather station. SEBAL model was used in South-West Paraná, region composed of irrigated and dry agricultural areas, native vegetation and urban areas. Five Landsat 8 images, row 223 and path 78, DOY 336/2013, 19/2014, 35/2014, 131/2014 and 195/2014 were used, from which ET at daily scale was estimated as a residual of the surface energy balance to produce ET maps. The steps for obtain ET using SEBAL include radiometric calibration, calculation of the reflectance, surface albedo, vegetation indexes (NDVI, SAVI and LAI) and emissivity. These parameters were obtained based on the reflective bands of the orbital sensor with temperature surface estimated from thermal band. The estimated ET values in agricultural areas, native vegetation and urban areas using SEBAL algorithm were compatible with those shown in the literature and ET errors between the ET estimates from SEBAL model and Penman Monteith FAO 56 equation were less than or equal to 1.00 mm day-1.

Abstract The uniformity of water application is an important factor in the evaluation of sprinkler irrigation systems. This uniformity depends on the type of sprinkler and its operating conditions, such as the arrangement and spacing between the sprinklers in the area; velocity and wind direction during the period of water application and the pressure variation of the irrigation system. The objective of this study was to model, analyze and compare the structure of spatial dependence, as well as the spatial variability of the water depths applied by a sprinkler irrigation system with compensating and non-compensating sprinklers, using geostatistical methods and measurements of accuracy or similarity between the applied water depth maps. The experiment was carried out in an agricultural area, in the city of Cascavel-Paraná-Brazil. A total area of 10 × 10 m was used, with 04 compensating and 04 non-compensating sprinklers installed at a height of 1.5 m. For each type of sprinkler, water levels were measured in 100 collectors spaced 1 × 1 m in the study area in 32 trials. On each test sprinkling was carried out for one hour. The conditions of wind, temperature and air humidity were evaluated at the beginning of each test and at 10-minute intervals with a climatological station. As the geostatistical analysis showed the existence of directional trends, the coordinates were incorporated as covariates to the linear spatial model in the study of the spatial dependence of the average depth of the irrigation water for the two types of sprinklers. The spatial dependence structure that best fits the data when using the compensating sprinklers was the Gaussian model and when the non-compensating sprinklers were used, it was the exponential model. The spatial variability maps of average irrigation water depth (mm) of the trials, obtained by universal kriging, revealed that for both sprinklers there was an increase in the mean level average values in the northwest-southeast direction (135° in the azimuth system) in the area under study, influenced by wind direction and velocity during the execution of the experiment.

ABSTRACT Aquatic sediments are widely used for the evaluation of anthropogenic contamination due to their ability to adsorb particles and contaminants, making them historical environmental archives. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the contamination of the Pelotas River sediments, at the border between the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, by organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds, determining the ecological risk. The evaluation was carried out with quarterly sediment collections in 8 points, totalizing four campaigns within one year, with the aid of the Peterson dredger. Among organochlorines, p'p'DDT stands out regarding environmental persistence, representing 53.23% of the contaminated samples, with values varying up to 0.158 ppb. As for the organophosphates, Methyl Parathion obtained larger representation with 48.4% of the contaminated samples, with concentrations ranging up to 2.42 ppb. The ecological risk of selected organochlorines demonstrated no problems associated with the biota. Regarding the organophosphates studied, Disulfoton presented a risk factor with significant potential for adverse effects on organisms. Therefore, the need for monitoring and sustainability in the use and application of pesticides is well known, aiming at environmental quality and the preservation of natural resources.

ABSTRACT This study demonstrates using remote sensing, geographic information systems and multivariate statistics to study water quality in an agricultural watershed. The monitoring of water quality in the watershed of Lontras's river in the southwestern region of the State of Paraná had been done in 2012 and 2013 with a multi-parameter probe in ten sites that were defined upstream and downstream watershed, during four different seasons. Mosaicked images were used from Google Earth, Digital Elevation Model and soil types of maps, defined as the explanatory variables. The definition of the areas of influence and multivariate statistical techniques, particularly the Redundancy Analysis (RDA), were used for the correlation between variables. In a spring area, located upstream watershed, the contribution on water quality variation has gotten smaller, when compared with the other monitoring sites. There was interference in water quality in downstream sites that has become greater due to the effects of diffuse pollution. The RDA enabled synthesizes the data variability structure and the relationship of multidimensional variables. These statistical techniques added to products resulting from the GIS contributed to a better understanding of the variation of water quality in the watershed.

RESUMO O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos de diferentes doses de dióxido de carbono (CO2), aplicadas via irrigação por gotejamento na determinação da concentração de capsaicinóides nos frutos da pimenta cv. Tabasco (Capsicum frutescens) visando proporcionar frutos mais ardentes e maior produção dessas substâncias para o mercado de molhos picantes. Os tratamentos aplicados foram 0; 82,6; 92,6; 123,8; g CO2/L. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de bloco casualizados com 4 tratamentos e 8 repetições. Foram coletados 20 frutos de pimenta na maturação máxima, porém antes do início do murchamento, apresentando cor vermelha nas colheitas, totalizando 12 amostras. Para cada amostra, foram analisadas duas repetições de capsaicina e dihidrocapsaicina. As análises foram realizadas por cromatografia líquida com detecção por ultravioleta no CROMA, na USP em São Carlos. A concentração de capsaicina nos frutos foi reduzida conforme a concentração de CO2 aplicado aumentava, até um valor mínimo de 297 mg/kg de fruto para 123,8 g CO2/L. O mesmo comportamento foi observado em relação à dihidrocapsaicina, com o mínimo de 108,46 mg/kg de fruto para 123,8 g CO2/L. Conclui-se que quanto maior a concentração de CO2 aplicado via água de irrigação por gotejamento, menor a concentração nos frutos das substâncias capsaicinóides analisadas. Entretanto, uma vez que a produtividade aumenta com o aumento das doses de CO2, o rendimento total dessas substâncias por planta foi maior, mesmo que não tenha proporcionado aumento da concentração desses capsaicinoides nos frutos.

ABSTRACT The study was performed to evaluate the effects of different doses of carbon dioxide (CO2), applied through drip irrigation in determining the concentration of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in the fruits of hot pepper cv. Tabasco (Capsicum frutescens). We aimed to obtain hotter fruits and greater production of these substances for the market of spicy sauces. The experimental design was a randomized block with 4 treatments and 8 replications. Twenty pepper fruits were collected at full maturity, red colored, before the start of wilting, totaling 12 samples. For each sample, two replications of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin were analyzed. Analyses were performed by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection in CROMA in USP-São Carlos. The concentration of capsaicin in fruits reduced as the applied concentration of CO2 increased, up to a minimum value of 297 mg/kg of fruits for 123.8 g CO2/L. The same behavior was observed in relation to dihydrocapsaicin, with a minimum of 108.46 mg/kg of fruits for 123.8 g CO2/L. This means that the higher the CO2 concentration applied via drip irrigation water, the lower the analyzed capsaicinoids concentration on fruit. However, since productivity increases with increasing CO2 doses, the total yield of these substances per plant was higher, even though it did not provide an increase in the concentration of these capsaicinoids in fruits.

RESUMO: O estudo objetivou avaliar o uso das ferramentas do controle estatístico de qualidade na análise da uniformidade de um sistema de irrigação por microaspersão. Para a análise da irrigação foram utilizados os coeficientes de uniformidade de Christiansen (CUC) e o coeficiente de uniformidade de distribuição (CUD), e estes foram analisados estatisticamente através dos gráficos de controle de Shewhart e do índice de capacidade do processo (Cp). Para o experimento foram realizados 25 ensaios com um único microaspersor, sendo posteriormente simulados sete diferentes espaçamentos entre microaspersores. Os gráficos de controle contribuíram para o diagnóstico dos tratamentos sob controle e com resultados satisfatórios de uniformidade. O aumento do índice de capacidade do processo mostrou-se diretamente proporcional as médias dos valores de CUC e CUD.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of statistical quality control tools in the analysis of the uniformity of a microsprinkler irrigation system. For the analysis of irrigation Christiansen uniformity coefficient (CUC) and the distribution uniformity coefficient (DU) were statistically analyzed by means of the Shewhart control charts and process capability index (Cp). For the experiment 25 tests were carried out with a single micro sprinkler and subsequently seven different spacing between micro sprinklers were simulated. Control charts contributed to the diagnosis of the treatments to be under control and with satisfactory uniformity outcomes. Increase in process capability index was directly proportional to the average of CUC and DU.

RESUMO Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o desempenho de uma estação de tratamento de esgoto através de cartas de controle de qualidade estatística da média móvel exponencialmente ponderada (MMEP). A estação de tratamento de esgoto estudada localiza-se no Município de Cascavel, Paraná, Os parâmetros avaliados foram o potencial hidrogeniônico (pH), sólidos sedimentáveis (SSed), sólidos suspensos totais (SST), demanda química de oxigênio (DQO) e a demanda bioquímica de oxigênio (DBO). As cartas MMEP acusaram que estação de tratamento de esgoto apresentou bom desempenho estatístico para o pH, sólidos suspensos totais, DQO e DBO e falhas para os sólidos sedimentáveis. As cartas de controle MMEP se apresentam como uma boa alternativa no monitoramento de estações de tratamento de esgoto.

ABSTRACT This work was intended to assess the performance of a sewage treatment plant through letters of statistical quality control of exponentially weighted moving average. The sewage treatment plant is located in the municipality studied of Cascavel, Paraná, the parameters measured were the hydrogenionic potential (pH), settleable solids (SetS), total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The EWMA letters accused that sewage treatment station has good statistical performance for the pH, total suspended solids, COD and BOD and failures for settleable solids. The EWMA control letters are presented as a good alternative in monitoring of sewage treatment plants.

Em estudos de hidrossedimentologia é imprescindível que se tenha o levantamento dos teores de elementos-traço do local de pesquisa, uma vez que esse background pode ser utilizado para interpretações do enriquecimento desses elementos no local da pesquisa. Esse enriquecimento pode estar relacionado ao processo natural de sua formação geológica ou às ações antropogênicas, sendo nesse último caso utilizado os guidelines , que apresentam as concentrações em que os elementos-traço causam efeitos de ecotoxicidade no ambiente. Assim, este estudo utilizou áreas com florestas naturais denominadas de reserva legal para formação do background do município de Toledo, PR, as quais asseguram condições de nenhuma ou mínima interferência antrópica. Os resultados da espectrometria de emissão atômica com plasma de argônio acoplado indutivamente demonstraram que as reservas legais possuem teores de elementos-traço inferiores aos demais referenciais teóricos pesquisados, porém em concentrações equivalentes aos níveis de segurança dos recomendados pelos guidelines internacionais consultados. Concluiu-se que os valores determinados são fundamentais para recomendar esse background como base de dados científicos para pesquisas da área de hidrossedimentologia desse local e também como forma de gerenciamento ambiental da bacia hidrográfica desse município.

In hydrosedimentology studies the determination of the trace element concentrations at the study site is imperative, since this background can be used to assess the enrichment of sediments with these elements. This enrichment can be the result of the natural process of geological formation or of anthropogenic activities. In the latter case, guidelines are used to indicate the concentrations at which trace elements cause ecotoxicity effects on the environment. Thus, this study used legal reserve areas in the municipality of Toledo, PR, where natural forests are maintained, with no or minimal human interference to establish background levels. The results of atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled argon plasma showed that the legal reserves have lower levels of trace elements than other theoretical references, but equivalent concentrations to the safety levels recommended by international guidelines. It was concluded that determining values is fundamental to recommend this background as scientific database for research in the area of hydrosedimentology of this site and also as a way of environmental management of the watershed of this municipality.

O presente estudo utilizou métodos estatísticos de controle de qualidade para avaliar o desempenho de uma estação de tratamento de esgoto doméstico. A estação de tratamento em questão localiza-se no município de Cascavel, no Estado do Paraná. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: potencial hidrogeniônico, sólidos sedimentáveis, sólidos suspensos totais, demanda química de oxigênio e demanda bioquímica de oxigênio de cinco dias. A análise estatística deu-se através das cartas individuais de Shewhart e índices de capacidade do processo. Conforme as cartas de Shewhart, apenas a variável DBO5,20 apresentou-se sob controle estatístico. Através dos índices de capacidade do processo, observou-se que, com exceção do pH, a estação de tratamento de esgoto doméstico não é capaz de produzir efluente com características que cumpram as especificações ou padrões de lançamentos exigidos pela legislação ambiental.

The current study used statistical methods of quality control to evaluate the performance of a sewage treatment station. The concerned station is located in Cascavel city, Paraná State. The evaluated parameters were hydrogenionic potential, settleable solids, total suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand in five days. Statistical analysis was performed through Shewhart control charts and process capability ratio. According to Shewhart charts, only the BOD(5.20) variable was under statistical control. Through capability ratios, we observed that except for pH the sewage treatment station is not capable to produce effluents under characteristics that fulfill specifications or standard launching required by environmental legislation.

A determinação da umidade volumétrica de solos é fator importante no manejo da irrigação. Dentre os métodos indiretos para a estimativa, a técnica da reflectometria no domínio do tempo (TDR) vem recebendo significativo enfoque. Como toda técnica, apresenta vantagens e desvantagens, entre elas a maior desvantagem é a necessidade de calibração e alto custo de aquisição. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi estabelecer um modelo de calibração para o equipamento de TDR, Trase System Modelo 6050X1 para a estimativa da umidade volumétrica em um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico típico. A calibração foi realizada em condições de laboratório, utilizando amostras deformadas do solo em estudo, acondicionadas em colunas de PVC com volume de 0,0078 m³. As sondas de TDR, fabricadas artesanalmente com três hastes e 0,20 m de comprimento, foram instaladas verticalmente nas colunas de solo, em um total de cinco sondas por coluna, totalizando dezesseis colunas. Realizaram-se as pesagens com balança digital e leituras diárias da constante dielétrica com o equipamento TDR. O modelo linear θv =0,0103Ka + 0,1900 para estimativa da umidade volumétrica do solo em estudo apresentou excelente coeficiente de determinação (0,93), viabilizando o uso das sondas na estimativa indireta da umidade do solo.

The determination of volumetric water content of soils is an important factor in irrigation management. Among the indirect methods for estimating, the time-domain reflectometry (TDR) technique has received a significant attention. Like any other technique, it has advantages and disadvantages, but its greatest disadvantage is the need of calibration and high cost of acquisition. The main goal of this study was to establish a calibration model for the TDR equipment, Trase System Model 6050X1, to estimate the volumetric water content in a Distroferric Red Latosol. The calibration was carried out in a laboratory with disturbed soil samples under study, packed in PVC columns of a volume of 0.0078m³. The TDR probes were handcrafted with three rods and 0.20m long. They were vertically installed in soil columns, with a total of five probes per column and sixteen columns. The weightings were carried out in a digital scale, while daily readings of dielectric constant were obtained in TDR equipment. The linear model θν = 0.0103 Ka + 0.1900 to estimate the studied volumetric water content showed an excellent coefficient of determination (0.93), enabling the use of probes in indirect estimation of soil moisture.