Using the compressibility test, the effect of soil management and moisture content on the preconsolidation pressure (σp) of three soils, a Red-Yellow Latosol (LV), a Dusk Red Latosol (LR) and a Dark-Red Latosol (LE) under annual crop, natural forest and pasture, was studied in the area of Lavras (MG) at two depths (0-0.03 and 0.27-0.30 m). For each condition, five undisturbed soil samples and a disturbed one were collected, with three replications. The undisturbed soil samples with different soil moisture content were used in the uniaxial compression test, with compression curves being obtained, from which preconsolidation pressures were extracted. The plasticity and shrinkage limits, texture and organic matter were determined using the disturbed soil samples. The models of compaction tested were based on the preconsolidation pressure and on soil moisture. For the same soil management system and depth, significant difference was observed among the clay and sand content of the three soils. The values of the initial soil bulk density (Ds i) were statistically different for all soil management systems in the same soil depth, except the 0-0.03 m for the annual crop. Increased soil moisture content caused a exponential decrease in the preconsolidation pressure, indicating a reduction in the load support capacity of the soil. The LR had in general higher load support capacity than LE and LV. This higher load support capacity may be associated with its higher clay content and lower sand content. The load support capacity of the friable zone varied from 154 to 167 kPa for LV, 77 to 183 kPa for LR and from 77 to 132 kPa for LE. The soil moisture contents 0.33 to 0.30 kg kg-1, 0.42 to 0.27 kg kg-1, and 0.35 to 0.33 kg kg-1 correspond to the friable zone (LP - LC) of the LV, LR and LE, respectively. The model based on the stress history of the soil evidenced the effect of the compaction caused by the machines in the 0.27-0.30 m layer, for the annual crop, while for the pasture the cattle trampling effect was evidenced in the 0-0.03 m layer.
soil compression curves; compaction models; soil management; preconsolidation pressure