[Objective] The spatial distribution and effects of soil nutrients in the agro-forestry system in sandy land were explored in order to provide scientific basis for the sustainable management of the agroforestry system from a perspective of soil nutrients in the region of Northwest Liaoning.[Methods] Soils in apple-peanut intercropping, peanut monoculture, and apple monoculture were sampled to determine and analyze soil nutrients contents in the range of 0-60 cm and 0-300 cm horizontal distance.[Results] Total organic matter and available potassium were extremely deficient, the total nitrogen and available nitrogen were very deficient, total phosphorus was deficient, and the available phosphorus content was medium in the intercropping system of sandy land. In the horizontal direction of the intercropping system, the intense competition sites for total organic matter, total N and total P for apple trees and peanut plants were located in the fruit tree zone, and the intense competition sites for available nutrients of N, P and K were located in the near fruit trees. In the vertical direction, all nutrients showed surface aggregation. The competition of organic matter and available phosphorus in the intercropping system was mainly located in the deep soil layer, and the competition of total phosphorus and available potassium was mainly located in the top soil layer. There was a cooperative effect on total nitrogen and available nitrogen, and the effect in soil of surface layer was more obvious. Compared to peanut monoculture and apple monoculture, the contents of available potassium and available phosphorus in the intercropping system showed a negative effect.[Conclusion] Soil nutrients in the apple-peanut intercropping system were poor. Organic fertilizers and phosphate fertilizers are recommended to be applied in the fruit tree zone, and potassium fertilizer should be applied in the crop area so as to reduce nutrient competition and improve nutrient effect.