Seven typical compound types of fruit tree and crops in the loess region were selected and soil moisture was tested by the traditional weighing method to find out the relations of soil moisture affected by the compound types in horizontal and vertical directions.Results indicated that soil moisture for the compound types was related to the orientation and distance from the shelterbelt in horizontal direction.The competition between fruit tree and crops was not significant.Soil moisture was mostly influenced by the intensity of shading light.The main competition layer of roots for soil moisture was within 60 cm of soil surface in vertical direction.The comparison with soil moisture for the single crop indicated that compound types of apple tree and other crops helped to maintain soil moisture.The compound types of walnut

peach

and other crops had different effects on soil moisture.More assistance to corn was observed rather than competition and more competition to peanut was found rather than assistance.