Erosion is largely affected by rainfall intensity. However, few studies in Brazil have been dedicated to evaluate this effect. This research aimed to determine soil and water losses on a Typic Hapludalf soil, submitted to four different rainfall patterns, under the following treatments: rainfall simulation of variable intensity in advanced, intermediary, delayed and constant patterns. Rainfall duration was one hour, with a peak of 120 mm h-1 during 5 min for patterns with variable intensity and 35 mm h-1 for uniform intensity, applied over soil with conventional tillage (disk plowing plus two disk harrowing). Plots had metal borders, 0.75 m of length in the same direction of slope and 0.50 m of width. For rainfall application, a portable rainfall simulator of multiple nozzles was used, with rainfall intensity controlled by a computer program. The maximum soil loss rate was, respectively, 37, 49 and 91% greater for the delayed pattern than for the advanced, intermediary and constant patterns. The maximum water loss rate was 19, 22 and 79% greater for the delayed pattern than for the advanced, intermediary and constant patterns, respectively. The delayed pattern had accumulated greater soil loss than the other patterns. Rainfalls with high intensity peaks had larger soil and water losses than rainfalls of constant intensity. The advanced pattern caused the shortest runoff beginning time, followed by the intermediary and delayed patterns. The delayed pattern had the greatest runoff beginning time.
rainfall intensity; rainfall simulated; profile of precipitation; interrill erosion