Abstract:The effect of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) on soil water movement and soil water stability aggregates was studied by applying different content of HPMC into soil. The results showed that:(1) The infiltration capacity of soil was significantly reduced by a certain amount of HPMC in soil, and the cumulative infiltration, wetting front migration distance and infiltration rate decreased significantly with the increase of HPMC in the range of 0~1.0 g/kg. The measured data fitted with the Philip formula and the Kostiakov formula respectively, and two formula could well simulate the infiltration process of the soil after the application of HPMC. With the increase of HPMC content, the infiltration rate S, the stable infiltration rate A and the empirical coefficient K decreased obviously, and the empirical index beta gradually increased. (2) With the increase of HPMC content, the percentage of water stable large aggregate of >0.25 mm increased obviously, the fractal dimension of the tested soil decreased gradually, and the average weight diameter of the soil showed a significant positive correlation with the content of water stable. This indicated that after HPMC application, the soil structure was more stable, and its ability of anti-destruction and erosion resistance was enhanced. In conclusion, HPMC has obvious effect on reducing permeability after adding into the soil, and to a certain extent, it can improve soil structure and improve soil erosion resistance.