[Objective] The research achievements regarding soil erosion and soil erosion control in the mollisols area of Northeast China were summarized to provide reference for the conservation of mollisols arable-land in the new era. [Methods] Based on the research results of many years

and in combination with information from field surveys and published papers

some key issues of mollisols research and the effectiveness of soil erosion control were discussed. [Results] There are four mollisols areas in the world. The area of mollisols in Northeast China covers 1.09×106 km2

where the top dark layer in sloping farmland has thinned at a rate of 2—3 mm per year in recent years. Although this would have induced a decline in soil quality over an entire slope

it is evident that the mollisols would not disappeared in at least 100 years. Effective technological systems of soil and water conservation in Northeast China have been established in recent years. The application of these technological systems could effectively reduce soil erosion by at least 80%

increase the soil organic matter content at a rate of 5.4‰ per year

and lead to a yield gain of more than 10%. [Conclusion] Soil erosion control measures should focus on sloping arable land

and the indicators that are used to assess the related achievements should include the area affected by soil erosion as well as the erosion intensity. The laws relating to soil and water conservation should be taken as insurance and national engineering projects as guide.