Abstract: 【Objective】 To study the effects of grass on soil physicochemicalproperties and fruit quality of apple orchard in arid desert area.The research results provide scientific reference for the popularization of natural grass growing technology in apple orchards in arid and desert areas. 【Methods】 With Fuji apple as the test material, one treatment of natural grass was set up, and the clean tillage was used as the control for 5 consecutive years. The soil environment of each layer under the two treatments was comprehensively evaluated by principal component analysis. 【Results】 The results showed that grass had a greater effect on the physicochemicalproperties of shallow soil, but little effect on deep soil. Compared with clear tillage, the pH value, conductivity and water-soluble salt content of 0-20 cm soil layer were reduced by 0.11, 0.11 mS/cm and 0.36 g/kg respectively. Soil water content increased by 0.63 percentage points, soil bulk density decreased by 0.06 g/cm³, and total porosity increased by 2.41 percentage points. The contents of organic matter, available nitrogen and total nitrogen were increased by 0.17 g/kg, 0.39 mg/kg and 0.02 g/kg, respectively. The comprehensive evaluation of principal components found that the soil environment of natural grass treatment was better than that of clean tillage treatment, and the soil of natural grass treatment was more loose, with higher nutrient content and lower salinization degree. The fruit weight and soluble solid content of apples under natural grass treatment were increased by 22.49 g and 0.71 percentage points, respectively, compared with clear tillage. 【Conclusion】 Natural grass growing for a certain period of time can improve the physicochemicalproperties of orchard soil and improve the fresh food quality of apple, and