[Objective] The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of rainfall factors such as rainfall, rainfall intensity and rainfall duration on runoff and sediment yield of runoff plots in small watershed of Yimeng mountainous area in order to provide the basis for soil erosion control, soil and water conservation planning and ecological construction in the area.[Methods] Runoff plots with different land use patterns(natural slope land, buckwheat, wild forage and peanut land) in Yimeng mountainous area were monitored for 3 consecutive years. The observation data were statistically analyzed, and the significance test were conducted.[Results] (1) The correlation coefficient between rainfall and the runoff yield of each runoff plot was significant(p<0.01), the correlation coefficient between rainfall and sediment yield of buckwheat and peanut plot was significant as well(p<0.01). Poor correlation was found between the rainfall and the sediment yield in both the natural slope land and wild forage plot. (2) The correlation between average rainfall intensity(I) and runoff and sediment yield was not significantly in each runoff plot. The maximum rainfall intensity of 10 min(I₁₀) and the maximum the rainfall intensity of 30 min(I₃₀) showed significant correlations with runoff yield and sediment yield of the buckwheat plot and the peanut plot. In particular, I₃₀ exhibited the greatest correlation with runoff and sediment yield. (3) The rainfall duration was significantly(p<0.01) related with the runoff and sediment yield in the buckwheat plot, while no significant relation was found in other plots.[Conclusion] Rainfall factors including rainfall(P), rainfall intensity of 10 min(I₁₀), rainfall intensity of 30 min(I₃₀) and rainfall duration influence runoff and sediment yield from hill slope of Yimeng mountainous area. Different land use patterns were also important factors that influence runoff and sediment yield on slope land.