[Objective] The relation between root system distribution and soil physical and chemical properties of grasslands was analyzed to provide a theoretical basis for the management of grassland desertification in Western Tibet.[Methods] Grasslands with different degrees of desertification were taken as the research object. The sampling was undertaken according to the S-shaped method

and the physical and chemical properties of the 0-15 cm soil layer were analyzed.[Results] The root content decreased with the aggravation of the desertification degree. As desertification progressed

both the pH value and available potassium first increased and then decreased

the volume weight showed an upward trend

and the soil water content

organic matter

total nitrogen

alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen

and available phosphorus showed a downward trend. The root content of the grassland was significantly negatively correlated with pH value and volume weight (p<0.01)

and the correlation coefficients were -0.806 and -0.735. The root content of the grassland was significantly positively correlated with soil water content

organic matter

total nitrogen

alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen

and available phosphorus. The correlation coefficients were 0.771

0.658

0.590

0.686

and 0.382.[Conclusion] Root distribution is correlated with many soil and chemical properties and restricted by soil physical-chemical proprieties.