[Objective] The effects of the intercropping of Lycium barbarum with Onobrychis viciaefolia in different saline soils on the water and salt transport mechanism and on the yield of L. barbarum were researched. The aime was to provide a theoretical and technical support for the planting pattern of L. barbarum and the saline-alkali land improvement in the Gansu Yellow River irrigation area.[Methods] Two planting modes were set up, namely:L. barbarum monoculture and L. barbarum intercropping. Further, different degrees of salinization were prepared:non-(S₁), mild (S₂), and moderate (S₃) salinization. The variations in soil water and salinity as well as the yield of L. barbarum under different planting modes and salinization degrees were analyzed.[Results] Compared with L. barbarum monoculture, L. barbarum intercropping with O. viciaefolia was observed to significantly increase the soil water content in the 0-20 cm soil layer under three salinization conditions. The soil water content in 0-120 cm soil layer showed that L. barbarum intercropping with O. viciaefolia was lower than that of L. barbarum monocropping, and the difference was most significant under the S₁ condition (p<0.05). Moreover, within the 0-60 cm soil layer, the soil of L. barbarum intercropping with O. viciaefolia was desalinated. The relative desalination rates of L. barbarum intercropping with O. viciaefolia were 6.539, 3.078, and 2.455 under the conditions of S₁, S₂ and S₃, respectively; whereas the soil of L. barbarum monocropping exhibited a salt accumulation. With an increase in the salinization, the 100-grain weight and the yield of the L. barbarum fresh fruit decreased gradually. Under the conditions of S₁ and S₂, the 100-grain weight and the yield of L. barbarum intercropped with O. viciifolia were higher than those of the L. barbarum monoculture; this difference was significant (p<0.05).[Conclusion] L. barbarum intercropping with O. viciaefolia can simultaneously improve the water content of the surface soil and reduce the salt content of soil. It is also beneficial to increase the yield of L. barbarum. Moreover, the effect is better under the condition of non-salinization (S₁).