The rational use of the soil has been the subject of study and discussion due to search for technological alternatives that allow the adequate management of the soil and consequently, a sustainable agriculture. The objective of this study was to collect data about the hydro-physical quality and its relation to the impacts caused by soil management through a literature review, contributing to better understanding of existing information in the literature. The use of indicators of physical quality of soil permit the designation of most appropriate soil management practices, especially those exposed to intensive agriculture. A critical analysis of indicators of soil quality show that the index proposed by Reynolds et al. (2002) has limitations about its use, the optimal hydric interval presents good results, and the S index needs more works with the use of h (soil-water suction) as the independent variable. Thus, the indicators of physical quality of soil are useful for evaluating the state of soil conservation, to making possible the secure management of natural resources, however, the existing indicators present very high complexity of the implementation and acquisition costs, which configures opportunity for the development of new indicators of physical quality of soil.
management systems; compaction; soil structure; indicators of physical quality
