Based on determination of soil water retention curves and field moisture capacity of intact soil sam-ples of Loess and Paleosols in Luochuan County

Shaanxi Province

the study analyzed the physical soil prop-erties including soil moisture storage

holding capacity and effective moisture content. The results indicate that the water retention curves of soil samples could be described well with Van Genuchten model with the high R2 values(over 0.99). The water holding capacity of the loess samples were higher than that of the Pal-eosol samples in the range of 0 to 30 kPa

suggesting that loess performs better in water supply and storage. With increasing suction values

water supply and storage reduced with larger amplitude in low suction range and smaller amplitude in high suction range. Loess showed higher available water content

saturated water content and field holding capacity

and lower permanent wilting point than paleosol.