Abstract:[Objective] The effects of rainfall levels, planting patterns and their interactions on slope sediment yield and loss in metamorphic rock areas were studied to provide references for soil and water conservation, land management strategies and vegetation allocation in Dabie Mountains area. [Methods] Experimental investigations on soil erosion in runoff plots with three distinct planting patterns (monoculture of Camellia oleifera, monoculture of Camellia sinensis, and mixed planting of C. oleifera and C. sinensis at intervals) were carried out in Panxin Town, Luoshan County, Dabie Mountains. Instruments such as soil erosion monitors and tipping bucket rain gauges were used to monitor real-time runoff and rainfall in the year 2023. Variance analysis and correlation analysis were conducted to investigate the impact of rainfall variables and planting configurations on runoff and sediment yield. [Results] The monoculture of C. sinensis plot exhibited the highest runoff, and the mixed planting plot demonstrated significantly lower runoff compared to the monoculture plots, but no significant variance in sediment yield among the plots (p>0.05) without considering rainfall levels. Under light and moderate rainfall, there was no significant distinction in runoff among the plots; however, the sediment yield in the mixed planting plot was notably lower than that in the other plots, particularly under moderate rainfall conditions. During periods of intense and prolonged rainfall, the runoff in the mixed planting plot exhibited a statistically significant decrease compared to the monoculture plots (p<0.05). However, there was no significant variance in sediment yield among the plots. Both runoff and sediment yield showed a significant correlation with total rainfall and hourly rainfall, but runoff was additionally influenced by the maximum 60-minute rainfall intensity. [Conclusion] Compared to the monoculture practices of C. oleifera or C. sinensis, the mixed planting pattern demonstrated a notable decrease in runoff on slopes within the metamorphic rock regions of the Dabie Mountains. Furthermore, sediment yield under light to moderate rainfall conditions was effectively mitigated. Attention should be paid to soil and water conservation, land management strategy formulation, and vegetation allocation in Dabie Mountains area in the future.