[Objective] The effects of erosion on the surface soil of erosion gullies in sloping cropland soils in a black soil area were studied in order to provide theoretical support for the rational utilization of soil resources and regional soil and water conservation work in black soil areas. [Methods] The study was conducted on erosion gullies with different degrees of development in Yanshou County

Harbin City

Heilongjiang Provicne. Particle size distribution and water storage properties of soil on the slope

at the bottom of the gullies and at the head of the gullies were quantitatively described. [Results] ① Soil bulk density

maximum water-storage capacity

maximum water-retention capacity

total storage capacity

dead storage capacity

and maximum effective storage capacity at different depths were significantly different (p＜0.05). As soil depth increased

soil bulk density also increased

and water-storage

water-retention

and effective water storage capacity decreased. Each layer had a maximum water-storage capacity of about 90% of its saturated capacity

and the effective water utilization rates were 44.79% and 41.87%

respectively. The development of erosion gullies had a clear influence on effective soil water. ② The infiltration characteristics generally showed that the initial infiltration rate＞the 30-minute infiltration rate＞the stable infiltration rate. As soil depth increased

the infiltration characteristics of the three indicators decreased between gully A2 and A4 for different erosion degree gullies. In the 20—40 cm layer

the infiltration characteristics of gully A1 to A4 followed the order of CK (control group)＞ gully A1＞ gully A4＞ gully A2＞ gully A3. Infiltration initially declined and then increased. With the development of the erosion gully

soil infiltration decreased and then increased. ③ The development of erosion gullies was the main reason for the change in clay content. The percentage of clay in the 0—40 cm layer tended to increase first and then decrease. The percentage of sand in the 0—20 cm layer tended to decrease first and then increase

showing a trend toward increased coarseness. ④ The soil degradation index followed the order of gully A1＞ gully A2＞ gully A3＞ gully A4 in the 0—20 cm layer. Soil degradation increased with the development of erosion gullies. Soil degradation was most severe in gully A4. [Conclusion] The differences in soil profiles was the main reason for the differences in physical properties of black soil. Soil water-holding capacity in the 0—20 cm layer was weakened and soil degradation became severe as erosion gullies developed.