Ecological experiments on soil moisture in poplar-wheat complex and wheat monoculture(CK)pattern were conducted in the reclamation areas of Ili River basin.Results showed that(1)1～2 days after irrigation,soil humidity in plough layer(0—44 cm)in the two systems was increased by 5% and the increase of soil water content in lower layer(110—154 cm)in poplar-wheat complex system was greater than that in the CK.(2)There was less root distribution at the S2 spot in parallel direction in poplar-wheat complex system and the most of wheat and poplar roots were distributed in 20—30 cm soil layer in vertical direction,which have greatest competition for water and nutrition from soil.(3)The 1 000-grain weight in the CK was 4.56% more than that in poplar-wheat complex ecosystem and the 1000-grain weight of wheat at the S12 spot was 1.11 times that at the S2 spot in the poplar-wheat complex pattern.(4)Compared with the CK,diurnal mean value of transpiration rate in poplar-wheat complex system was 30.8 g/(m²·h)lower,diurnal evaporate amount was 1.07 g/d lower,diurnal average of air temperature was about 0.46 ℃ lower,and soil temperature was 0.24 ℃～1.20 ℃ lower.In view of water use,this study provides a theoretical support for feasibility and continuity of poplar-wheat complex ecosystem in the water and soil development areas of Ili River basin.