Abstract: A long-term field experiment comparing the effects of different lucerne-crop rotations on soil physical properties was conducted at Dingxi, western Loess Plateau. Six rotation patterns [lucerne-lucerne (L-L), lucerne-fallow (L-F), lucerne-wheat (L-W), lucerne-corn (L-C), lucerne-potato (L-P) and lucerne-millet (L-M)] were compared. There were significant differences in soil bulk density, soil total porosity, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil sorptivity, macroscopic capillary length and mean pore diameter among the six rotation patterns, but soil aggregate stability was not affected. Compared with those under L-L, soil bulk density under L-F, L-W, L-C, L-P and L-M was reduced by 6.86%, 7.69%, 6.22%, 7.69% and 6.22% respectively, soil sorptivity increased by 1.19, 2.31, 0.25, 0.66 and 0.75 times respectively, macroscopic capillary length increased by 3.73, 2.92, 1.49, 2.62 and 1.15 times respectively and mean pore diameter reduced by 79.43%, 72.99%, 79.43%, 69.41% and 56.35% respectively. Compared with L-L, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity under L-F,L-W and L-M increased by 0.32, 1.52 and 0.33 times, respectively. The effect of rotation on soil aggregate mainly influenced the 0-10 and 10-30 cm soil layers. It was concluded that lucerne-crop rotations improved soil structure and permeability, improving soil physical quality in the semi-arid areas on the Loess Plateau.