Organic matter accumulation can increase soil resistance to compaction, decreasing the compaction magnitude or its effects. The objective of this study was to establish the effect of soil organic matter accumulation on the compressibility index, which corresponds to soil susceptibility to compaction. The study was performed using samples collected from a Hapludalf and a Hapludox soils in southern Brazil, both having a significant variation in soil organic carbon (SOC) content. Soil compressibility tests were performed under confined conditions, in a uniaxial apparatus by using normal loads of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 kPa, and the compressibility index (Cc) was calculated. Soil organic carbon content, bulk density, porosity and water saturation degree were determined too. Results show that soil organic matter content affects the soil compressibility index, however the magnitude and type of effect are dependent upon soil texture and effects associated to soil water retention, cohesion, and bulk density.
soil organic matter; soil structure; soil compaction; soil mechanics
