The spatial variability of soil physical attributes has been the focus of many studies in the last few years. However, little has been discussed of differences of these attributes due to sampling methods. The objective of this study was to analyze the spatial variability of soil physical attributes sampled by different methods in Rhodic Eutrudox, in Campinas (SP, Brazil). Sampling was performed between January and May of 2005, at 302 points of a 10 x 10 m grid. Soil bulk density was measured by the volumetric soil core and the clod methods. Total soil porosity was estimated using the relation between soil bulk density and particle density 2,65 kg dm-3 described in scientific literature for mineral soil and 2,84 kg dm-3 found in the study area. Soil water content was measured by the volumetric core, gravimetric and TDR methods. Bulk density measured soil core presented the lesser value of coefficient of variation (CV) and effect nugget (C0), respectively 7,13% and 0,005. The measured total porosity is presented as the method most practical for determination of this attribute of the soil. The humidity sampling volumetric presented results close to the overall average comparative to the too much methods of sampling of the soil water content.
bulk density; soil porosity; soil water content; geostatistics
