A dynamic minipenetrometer for assessment of soil mechanical resistance in undisturbed soil samples

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe and to test a dynamic minipenetrometer for measuring soil mechanical resistance in undisturbed soil samples. Four pieces with different weight were constructed for impact analysis of soil with diverse water content. Undisturbed soil samples were taken from an Oxisol (Rhodic Haplustox) under conventional and no-tillage systems. Cone index, soil density, gravimetric and volumetric water content were evaluated. The equipment is reliable, accurate, obtainable at a low cost, besides having potential to promote more studies on the determination of soil least limiting water range.