Soil resistance to penetration in cotton rows and interrows

Resistência mecânica do solo à penetração nas linhas e entrelinhas no cultivo do algodoeiro

ABSTRACT

The soil physical quality is one of the most determinant factors for the development of any crop. This study aimed to assess the sample representativeness in soil resistance to penetration mappings taken in rows and interrows of the cotton crop, under two soil moisture conditions. Thirty control points were sampled in a cotton field of 91 ha. Soil resistance to penetration and soil moisture were measured at these georeferenced points. Regardless of soil moisture, the sampling position of soil resistance to penetration is indifferent (row, interrow, or in both positions) when the analysed depth is greater than 0.20 m in the cotton crop. The decrease of soil moisture causes the increment of soil resistance to penetration, regardless of the sampling position.

Key words:
cone index; penetrometer; soil compaction