The objectives of this work were to assess soil and water losses and determine interrill erodibility (Ki) of three soils with clayey texture: Typic Rhodudult (PE), a Typic Hapludult (PV) and a Rhodic Hapludox (LR) for the application of the WEPP (Water Erosion Prediction Project) model in Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil and to evaluate the relationship between Ki and some physical, chemical and mineralogical soil properties and surface characteristics. The experiment was set in a completely randomized block design, consisting of three clayey soils, four slopes (15, 25, 35 and 45%), five simulated rainfall intensities (50, 60, 70, 90 and 120 mm h-1 ) and five replicates, and carried out under prewetted conditions. The Ki values were determined from the simulated rain intensities, plot declivities and interrill erosion rates across each simulated rain. The results showed that the PV had the highest interrill erodibility (Ki) followed by the PE and LR. The interrill erodibibity rates determined were: 4,67 x 10(5) kg s m-4 for PE; 6,85 x 10(5) kg s m-4 for PV and 3,38 x 10(5) kg s m-4 for LR. The soil parameters that showed the best correlation with interrill erodibility were iron oxide, caulinite, water dispersible clay, total volume of pores, bulk density, particle density, organic matter and aggregates < 0,105 mm.
erosion; interrill erodibility; simulated rain