An adjacent field was taken as a reference and soil infiltration rates of layered soil bunds (the upper

the central and the lower) were determined using double rings on the purple-soil sloping farmland. The results showed that: (1) The infiltration processes of all layered soil bunds and the field dropped steeply then decreased slowly till stable. However

there were differences on the duration to the stable infiltration. It cost a relatively longer time (110 minutes) for the upper bund to the stable state. The time for upper one was 9%

82%

and 18% longer than that of central bund

the lower bund and the field. In perspective of infiltration performance

the soil permeability was sequenced as the initial infiltration rate

the mean infiltration rate

and then the steady infiltration rate. In view of layered soil bunds

the mean infiltration rate and the 120 minutes cumulative infiltration was sorted as the upper bund

the central bund

the field

and the lower bund. The initial infiltration rate was sequenced as the central bund

the upper bund

the field

and the lower bund

while the steady infiltration rate was sorted as the field

the central bund

the upper bund

and the lower bund. (2) Four models had been used to simulate the soil bund infiltrations. Among them

the general experience model was considered as the optimum one

and it was followed by the Kostiakov model

the Horton model and the Philip model. (3) The permeability of soil bunds had close relation with soil physical properties. The initial infiltration rate was significantly negative related to the initial water content and soil bulk density (P＜0.05). The mean infiltration rate and the 120 minutes cumulative infiltration was significantly negative correlated with the silty particles volume and the initial water content (P＜0.05)

and significantly positive correlated with the sandy particles volume and the total porosity (P＜0.05). The results of this study can provide a foundation for bunds construction as to control soil erosion on purple-soil farmlands.