The estimate soil resistance to penetration curves (RPC) based on readily obtained variables such as water content, is a useful not only for the evaluation of soil compaction, but also to simplify the interpretation of soil resistance to penetration under different field conditions. The objective of this study was to estimate the RPC in soils of different textures and bulk densities based on data obtained with an impact penetrometer. The experiment was carried out at the Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP. Four soil classes were used: Entissol, Alfissol, Oxisol sandy loam and clayey Oxisol, which were sampled at a depth of 0-0.20 m. The PVC columns (diameter 0.25 m, height 0.6 m) were filled to represent non compacted and compacted soil. The soil water content, initially elevated to the saturation point, was monitored daily with a TDR device (Profile Probe PR2 connected to a HH2 Moisture Meter). The soil resistance to penetration was measured by an impact penetrometer adapted to be used in the pot. The soil resistance to penetration and water content data pairs were adjusted and the RPC submitted to a significance test. The relationship between the soil resistance to penetration and soil water content was best described by the exponential equation: <img border=0 src="img/revistas/rbcs/v32n6/a03tt01.jpg">, where RP is the soil resistance to penetration (MPa), Vg soil water content (kg kg-1) and A, B and C are the equation parameters. There was a significant relation between soil resistance to penetration and water content and the equations fit the data with coefficients of determination ranging from 0.79 to 0.96.
compaction; soil water content; soil physical quality
